Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Eric Maina

Eric Maina

PhD Student
Grahamstown

Summary

A Doctorate student and head IT consultant with extensive programming knowledge and a burning passion for science and technology-related topics.

Work History

Head IT Consultant

Rhodes University Community Engagement
Grahamstown
2021.02 - Current
  • Lead IT consultant for over 5 Rhodes University Community Engagement Partners.
  • Assess aspects of Partner Organizations' computer systems, provide recommendations and implement these recommendations.
  • Provide repair and maintenance services and upgrades of Partner Organizations' IT systems.
  • Providing access to Rhodes University Community Engagement digital resources.
  • Supporting social innovation, entrepreneurship and personal development.
  • Identifying trends in equipment use and misuse, finding loopholes in policies governing equipment use and developing turnaround strategies for support equipment.
  • Problem Solving - Identifying problems, using creative problem-solving to generate and evaluate alternatives, and making recommendations which lead to implementing various systems.
  • Programming and scripting knowledge on various operating systems to enable implementation of automated processes.
  • Performing software and operating systems' installation, updates and upgrades, and ensuring equipment is ready to be used.
  • Monitoring equipment inventory to consistent replenishment in alignment with demand.
  • Facilitating and co-facilitating digital literacy training.

Research Assistant

Rhodes University Community Engagement
Grahamstown
2021.11 - 2022.08
  • Worked with principal investigators to coordinate qualitative research.
  • Conducted tests on equipment and instruments for quality.
  • Collected research data through surveys and focus groups.

Graduate Research Assistant

Rhodes University Department of Physics
Grahamstown
2017.03 - 2018.02
  • Recorded material science and thermoluminescence findings.
  • Performed statistical and qualitative and quantitative analysis.
  • Helped produce reports outlining results.
  • Supported research and development efforts.
  • Edited research manuscripts

Technical Project Coordinator

The Travelling Telescope
Nairobi
2015.08 - 2016.08
  • Coordinated multiple projects from project start through delivery by prioritizing needs.
  • Did community outreach using a mobile planetarium and telescope.
  • Worked with astronomy software and tools.
  • Established rapport and engaged with clients to build lasting professional relationships.

President of Enactus

University of Nairobi
Nairobi
2015.01 - 2016.07
  • Prepared a variety of different written communications, reports and documents to ensure smooth operations.
  • Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
  • Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
  • Coordinated projects geared towards bringing entrepreneurial solutions to problems faced by communities around us.
  • Enactus University of Nairobi was one of the two universities that won the Ford c3 competition for having an excellent project.

Team Member

Aiesec
Nairobi
2014.03 - 2014.10
  • Approached companies and tried to form partnerships between Aiesec University of Nairobi and the company as part of SGAC Group.
  • Fostered relationships with companies to promote positive working relationships.
  • Eliminated discrepancies in progress by reviewing performance, spend and timeline.

Education

Ph.D. - Radio Astronomy

Rhodes University
Grahamstown, South Africa
2020.03 - Current

Master of Science - Radio Astronomy

Rhodes University
Grahamstown
2017.02 - 2020.06

Programming For Scientist And Engineers At The South African Astronomical Observatory -

South African Institute of Physics Conference
Cape Town, South Africa
2018.05 - 2018.05

Summer School - Bayesian Statistics

Bayesian Summer School
Cape Town, South Africa
2018.02 - 2018.02

Workshop - Radio Astronomy For Development in Africa

Technical University of Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
2016.06 - 2016.06

Scientific Computing Academy - Computer Programming

University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
2016.06 - 2016.06

Bachelor of Science - Astronomy and Astrophysics

University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
2012.01 - 2016.04

International Computer Driving License Certificate Microsoft Office Applications. -

Institute of Advanced Technology
Nairobi, Kenya
2012.01 - 2012.04

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -

Eastleigh High School
Nairobi, Kenya
2007.01 - 2012.04

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -

Racecourse Primary School
Nairobi, Kenya
1998.01 - 2006.04

Skills

Programming (Prefers python)

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Timeline

Research Assistant

Rhodes University Community Engagement
2021.11 - 2022.08

Head IT Consultant

Rhodes University Community Engagement
2021.02 - Current

Ph.D. - Radio Astronomy

Rhodes University
2020.03 - Current

Programming For Scientist And Engineers At The South African Astronomical Observatory -

South African Institute of Physics Conference
2018.05 - 2018.05

Summer School - Bayesian Statistics

Bayesian Summer School
2018.02 - 2018.02

Graduate Research Assistant

Rhodes University Department of Physics
2017.03 - 2018.02

Master of Science - Radio Astronomy

Rhodes University
2017.02 - 2020.06

Workshop - Radio Astronomy For Development in Africa

Technical University of Kenya
2016.06 - 2016.06

Scientific Computing Academy - Computer Programming

University of Nairobi
2016.06 - 2016.06

Technical Project Coordinator

The Travelling Telescope
2015.08 - 2016.08

President of Enactus

University of Nairobi
2015.01 - 2016.07

Team Member

Aiesec
2014.03 - 2014.10

Bachelor of Science - Astronomy and Astrophysics

University of Nairobi
2012.01 - 2016.04

International Computer Driving License Certificate Microsoft Office Applications. -

Institute of Advanced Technology
2012.01 - 2012.04

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -

Eastleigh High School
2007.01 - 2012.04

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education -

Racecourse Primary School
1998.01 - 2006.04

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Eric MainaPhD Student