Transformation, Mars, African Space Agency and Life with Adriana Marais

In this week’s Top Women podcast, Topco CEO, Ralf Fletcher sits down to talk with Adriana Marais − theoretical physicist, technologist and aspiring extra-terrestrial. Adriana’s goals are big: to understand our world and beyond. Adriana is the founder of Proudly Human, which pioneers new frontiers in research and technology for a resilient future on Earth and Mars. Having recently visited the Antarctic interior and the Oman desert on location scouts for Proudly Human’s Off-World Project, she is used to extremes. Adriana and Ralf discuss a wide range of topics, from what it means to truly think globally, to the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of what we have right now. Adriana dives into the importance of keeping the youth at the forefront of our minds because when it comes down to it, they are the future. Young minds are curious, receptive and enthusiastic − they are our best chance of achieving as much as we can.

Dr Adriana Marais is a South African theoretical physicist and technologist. She is Director of the Foundation for Space Development, South Africa, an organisation that aims to inspire children in developing countries via education and science. Adriana is the founder of Proudly Human, an initiative of which is Off-World Antarctica, an off-world settlement simulation experiment to take place over the winter of 2021. She was one of four South Africans chosen in the third round of astronaut candidate selection for Mars One and was awarded the 2015 L'Oreal-UNESCO International Rising Talent Award. Adriana holds an MSc (summa cum laude) in quantum cryptography and a PhD in quantum biology. Her postdoctoral research focused on quantum effects in photosynthesis as well as the origins of prebiotic molecules and life itself. She is currently pursuing a second PhD in economics in team dynamics in extreme environments at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town.