New HPI member focusses on food security

In June 2024, the HPI Research School at UCT welcomed a new member, Rachel Oluwatuyi, who is set to explore cutting-edge farming technology.

A curious and innovative thinker, Rachel has always been eager to explore new ideas and technologies to create solutions with and for communities. Prior to joining the HPI Research School, she obtained a BSc and MSc degree in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. After gaining a distinction in her undergraduate program, she was offered a scholarship for her master's programme and simultaneously worked as a teaching assistant in the department. She is also a computer science lecturer and researcher at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria.

Rachel’s main research interest is in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a specific focus on community-based co-design with Africans. Supervised by Prof. Melissa Densmore, her PhD research focusses on the exploration of community-based co-design approaches to the application of computing in hydroponic systems in Africa.

Her research contributes to the exploration of cutting-edge farming technology, specifically Smart Hydroponic Farming, with subsistence farmers, educators, and learners through co-design processes to ensure sustainable farming practices and improve food security in communities.

Connect with Rachel via LinkedIn Profile.

Below is her recent publication that she co-authored:

Anuonye, Chinasa Ezinwanyi, Rachel Feyisayo Oluwatuyi, Amyrah Omofikayo Tijani, Christopher Adeolu Thomas, Aderonke Busayo Sakpere, and Rose Chizoma Anuonye. "Penapp: A Mobile App for Improving Pensioners' Screening Exercises." In Proceedings of the 4th African Human Computer Interaction Conference, pp. 86-90. 2023.