Keynote Topics
From winning first prize at the local Science Expo for her project ‘Martian City‘ at age 13, in 2015, Adriana was selected as one of 100 international astronaut candidates with the Mars One Project.
When the startup declared bankruptcy in 2019, she founded Proudly Human. She has recently visited some of the harshest and most remote locations on Earth, from deserts in Africa and the Middle East, all the way to Antarctica, on location scouts for Proudly Human’s Off-World Project.
The Project is a series of off-grid habitation experiments in the most extreme environments on the planet, in preparation for life on the Moon, Mars and beyond, as well as a sustainable future here on Earth.
Proudly Human is currently preparing to secure a major broadcaster for the documentary series to accompany the experiments, ‘Mission: OFF-WORLD’.
She has given hundreds of talks to audiences on all seven continents of this planet, in settings from corporates to ashrams to TEDx events, been featured in media interviews and panel discussions around the world, as well as in documentaries including AOL’s ‘Citizen Mars’, and CNN’s ‘Africa’s Space Race’.
She is currently completing a book ‘Mission Off-World: The Allure of the Unknown’, describing how through technological advancement and an evolved perspective of reality and our place in it, expanding beyond Earth will enable us to become better stewards of our home planet and equip us for the beginning of our journey into the stars.
Gallery
Videos
Dr Adriana Marais is a theoretical physicist, technologist and aspiring extraterrestrial, believes that we are living at a unique point in the history of life on Earth. Off-‐World: Above and Beyond “The reason I want to explore beyond the world as we know it is simple: The allure of the unknown is far more powerful […]
Dr Adriana Marais is a theoretical physicist, technologist and aspiring extraterrestrial, believes that we are living at a unique point in the history of life on Earth.
Off-‐World: Above and Beyond
“The reason I want to explore beyond the world as we know it is simple:
The allure of the unknown is far more powerful than the comfort of the known.” #ProudlyHuman
Developments in engineering and science are taking place at an unprecedented rate, and the expansion of our society beyond this planet is within reach.
In December 2020, she and her team will depart for an overwinter, off-‐world settlement simulation experiment in Antarctica to demonstrate community living and off-‐grid capabilities from life-‐support to communication systems, in the harshest and most isolated environment on Earth. The expedition is an initiative of #ProudlyHuman: pioneering new frontiers in research and technology for a sustainable future on Earth, above and beyond.
Adriana is the Founder of #ProudlyHuman, as well as Director at the Foundation for Space Development, an initiative of which is Africa2Moon, to inspire the youth of developing nations, in particular Africa, to “Reach for the Moon” through education and science. She is also a member of the South African government advisory task team on the 4th Industrial Revolution, Faculty at the Singularity University and Duke Corporate Education, and an astronaut candidate with the Mars One Project.
Previously, Dr Adriana Marais was Head of Innovation at SAP Africa between 2017 and 2019. Her career began in academia, and she has authored numerous articles on her research in theoretical quantum physics, as well as won awards including the L’Oreal-‐UNESCO International Rising Talent Award in 2015 and the Royal Society of South Africa Meiring Naude Medal in 2016. She is an alumna of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings in physics and a Global Women’s Forum Rising Talent, both 2016.
Dr Adriana Marais 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 resource-‐constrained environments at the University of Cape Town.
She completed her MSc summa cum laude in quantum cryptography at the University of KwaZulu–‐Natal (UKZN), and was awarded her PhD in quantum biology at the same institute in 2015.
Dr Adriana Marais believes that education comes with the responsibility to share knowledge, and while still on Earth, is actively involved in the promotion of science and space exploration as Special Project Coordinator for the Foundation for Space Development South Africa, an exciting initiative of which is the Africa2Moon project.
She has given numerous talks since 2014, inspiring school children, teenagers and adults around South Africa and abroad to get excited about science, believe in their dreams and remember Nelson Mandela’s words “It always seems impossible until it’s done”
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
Download Talent Files
Mathew Makoni is a vibrant, experienced and eloquent keynote speaker who has over 10 years’ experience in leading high-performing and impactful teams in various sectors. A masters graduate in operations management, published author and a SADC speaking champion, he not only brings a fresh perspective on relevant topics (that teams and managers face today in […]
Rusty Labuschagne is a captivating professional speaker renowned for his profound insights on overcoming adversity. His story is one of resilience, faith, and redemption—a journey that resonates deeply with audiences worldwide. With sincerity and humility, Rusty shares a dramatic account of his transformational experience, leaving a lasting impact on all who hear his message. In […]
Llewellyn Devereaux is not your average speaker. With an infectious energy that electrifies audiences and a charisma that captivates hearts, he transforms every stage he steps onto into his own Colosseum, wielding the microphone like a seasoned gladiator with a sword. With a motto that proclaims, “The stage is my Colosseum & the mic is […]
Zoya Mabuto-Mokoditoa has a proven track record in educational interventions that focus on assisting women in positions of leadership or aspiring towards it, to own the power of their voice, increase their influence and make an impact. She is passionate about how public speaking can ignite the leadership qualities of individuals, and helps individuals find their […]
Leanne Manas is a multiple-award winning South African TV presenter that has graced our screens for over a decade. Not many broadcasters can boast having had live TV experience 5 days a week for 12 years … Leanne is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher which she completed through London Trinity College and she also […]
Pierre du Plessis is a visionary dedicated to fostering human development and empowering individuals to become catalysts for meaningful change. With a profound appreciation for ancient wisdom and a keen understanding of its application in contemporary contexts, Pierre inspires audiences worldwide to tap into age-old truths to navigate today’s complex challenges. As the founder of […]
There are no results matching your search.
ResetThese remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
We are actively working to have our profiles current with Keynote Speech titles, and Summaries.
Some Speakers do not have a set title or summary for their topic lists. Instead they customize for each. Other speakers only do moderated conversations.
If you do not see content here, please contact us.
We also have ample information off line that we can share as some do not want to have visible profiles and as such these are hidden pages. Or in the event we do not have the information, we can contact the speaker to provide and share.
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2024. Created by Speakers Inc