Dr Blaine Lomberg is a grassroots scientist who graduated from the University of the Western Cape with a B.Sc in Physics, a B.Sc (Hons) in Nuclear Physics, and an M.Sc. in Experimental Physics (2005-2012). His subsequent career took him to the University of Liverpool, where he worked as an EU Research Associate in sectors ranging from academia to industry and intergovernmental physical science organisations such as CERN in specialised accelerator design and optimization, as well as the development of underpinning technologies (2012-2015). He returned to South Africa from 2016 to 2018 to pursue a research fellowship in Astrophysics and Astronomy relating to big data applications, spaceborne and ground-based observations and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal publications. In 2019, he began his PhD in physics to gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles guiding the creation of next-generation technologies, with a special emphasis on computing and data processing for nuclear physical processes in the early cosmos. During this time, he liked lecturing and experimenting with new teaching techniques for B.Ed. undergraduates at the University of the Western Cape who were interested in STEM disciplines. Blaine has also worked with a number of South African aerospace and engineering firms in critical areas such as ICT, systems integration, renewable energy, supply chain management, procurement, and component manufacture since 2020. He was named as Cornerstone Institute’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in May 2021, where he would manage Cornerstone’s continuous commitment to the delivery of effective and relevant services in the field of information and communications technology. Blaine is particularly interested in how technology may be used to promote more fair education in society.
