Why women scientists must be part of decision-making in Rwandan context.

Dr. Marie Chantal Cyulinyana is a physicist, renewable energy specialist, and science policy leader with over thirteen years of experience advancing evidence-based decision-making in science, technology, and energy systems across Africa. She currently serves as Science and Technology Foresight Analyst at the Rwanda National Council for Science and Technology, where she leads national futures analysis and policy advisory processes that inform strategic decisions in research, innovation, and sustainable energy development. Trained as a physicist, Dr. Cyulinyana holds a PhD in Physics and completed postdoctoral research in solar energy modelling and optimization at the University of the Witwatersrand. Alongside her research career, she has extensive experience in higher education leadership, having taught physics at university level for over a decade and supervised MSc and PhD students. Her work bridges scientific rigor and policy impact, translating technical knowledge into actionable insights for decision-makers. A prominent advocate for women's leadership in science, Dr. Cyulinyana is the President and Co-Founder of the Rwandan Association for Women in Science and Engineering and President of the Women in Nuclear Energy Rwanda Chapter. Through these roles, she has led national and regional initiatives to strengthen women's participation in leadership and decision-making in STEM. Her contributions reflect a strong commitment to inclusive governance, strategic leadership, and empowering the next generation of women scientists to shape policy and institutional change.