Inspiring Grads: Engineering 1

Melissa Sikosana

Job history

2021–Present Course Facilitator (Part-time) Learn Biomimicry

2021–Present Consulting Director (Part-time) 180 Degrees Consulting (Germany)

2016–Present Researcher and PhD Candidate Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden (Germany)

2014–Present Freelance Innovation Consultant Self-employed

2012–Present Director of Climate Change Programmes, African Views

Academic history

2013–2015 MSc in Chemical Engineering, Specialising in Environmental Engineering University of Cape Town

2008–2012 BSc Honours in Chemical Engineering University of Cape Town

What do you do?

How do we design waste and poverty out, all whilst closing the resource gap? At the same time, what role do (black) women and nanotechnologies play in achieving sustainable development in emerging economies? As an environmental professional, my work centres around these two statements.

I would call myself an Expert- Generalist. Over the past decade, sustainable water management has been the common thread in my seemingly unconventional career journey. I am a researcher and PhD Candidate at the Leibnizinstitute for Functionalised Polymers. My work is centred around translating a bioinspired, biomedical surface engineering technology for use in maintaining household drinking water.

Alongside this work, I trained in biomimicry and (human-centred) design thinking as well as circular economics. These are the main services of my portfolio as a part-time innovation consultant and design thinking coach. My recent and most exciting role as a course facilitator for LearnBiomimicry allows me to combine my passion for problemsolving using nature-based strategies (biomimicry) and teaching.

Every day I endeavour to look for solutions in unexpected places to augment the larger agenda of the green economy and improve how societies function.

How have your degrees helped you to get where you are?

Chemical engineers are problem solvers and trained systemsthinkers that can work across several disciplines with ease. UCT’s chemical engineering department is among the best in the world. The Environmental and Process Systems [Engineering] team which I was a part of during my Master's degree continue to pioneer the way chemical engineers, designers and scientists can minimise their environmental impact. The supportive staff and strong curriculum gave me the solid quantitative foundations and courage to tackle some of the world’s most wicked problems.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

I am passionate about teaching, design and storytelling. Some of my best and award-winning work have come out of spaces where I allowed myself to indulge all three in my environmental profession. The highlight of my journey has been picking up a role as course facilitator and mentor for LearnBiomimicry. This role is a culmination of all my career experiences, ideas and choices channelled through teaching and collaborative work with innovators from all around the world.

What’s the next thing you want to achieve/ learn?

I would like to continue to grow in this direction. Hence, teaching through science communication or a career in transdisciplinary management feels like a natural next step for me.

How do you see your industry evolving?

Science is knowledge and innovation is knowledge reimagined. I am particularly excited by the innovation that can arise when designers speak to scientists and engineers through nature’s lens. ​My vision for education and future-of-work is to see the rise in transdisciplinary and generalist curricula, through which students can graduate as simply ‘Problem Solvers’. This approach can leverage the current shift to hybrid learning models, which are enabling programmes to transcend borders and thinking models like never before.

Any advice to those that want to follow in your footsteps?

1. I have a child-like curiosity that has pushed my career in many different and exciting directions. Here are a few things I have learnt along the way:

2. Allow failure to be part of your process.

3. With the right tools and mentors, your ‘weaknesses’ are your strengths: ‘overthinkers’ are good systems analysts; daydreamers are visionaries when given the right boundaries; the ‘quiet ones’ are often the empathetic leaders we need to lead from behind and within.

4. 80% is as good as done.

5. You can and should take time to define your own ‘job title’.

BOOK & COURSE recommendations

"The Artist’s Way" by Julia Cameron

"Where Good Ideas Come From" by Steve Johnson

- Any design thinking course

- Any Learn Biomimicry course

- Have conversations with a mentor much older than you