Devon Jarvis, 27, is a researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he lectures in mathematical foundations of data science and natural language processing. He also leads the Cognition, Adaptation and Learning (CAandL) Lab, a multidisciplinary research group exploring how cognitive neuroscience can inform the future of machine learning. Initially drawn to economics, Devon discovered a love for coding at university and has since earned his PhD in computer science, supported by the Google PhD Fellowship, Commonwealth Scholarship and an NRF Thuthuka Grant. In 2023, he was a visiting researcher at University College London’s Gatsby Unit and Sainsbury Wellcome Centre. Beyond research, he is a commit- ted mentor, programme coordinator and advocate for accessible science education. He co-organises the Deep Learning Indaba X South Africa and reviews for global AI conferences such as NeurIPS and ICLR. Outside academia, Jarvis co-founded 1Day Africa, the continent’s arm of 1Day Sooner, advocating for equitable access to medical research during the pandemic and mentoring African medical students. What drives him? A desire to equip students with the opportunities he once received.
I’ve been fortunate to have several key mentors who have shaped both my academic journey and my approach to mentorship and leadership. I deeply admire my PhD supervisors — Professor Richard Klein, Professor Benjamin Rosman and Professor Andrew Saxe — not only for their expertise in machine learning and neuroscience but for their commitment to conducting high-impact research with a focus on communal impact. They taught me that being a teacher and supervisor goes beyond technical guidance; it’s about empowering young people to build confidence in themselves and develop strong, lasting foundations for their future careers. From my supervisors, I also learned the transformative impact it can have on a person when they are given consistent time and patience. This is a lesson I hold on to and will carry for the rest of my life. Earlier in my journey, two of my high school teachers at Jeppe Boys, Ms Olivia Clark and Mr Seun Wilson, played a pivotal role by encouraging me to pursue my goals even when I doubted myself. I also continue to be guided by Professor Sahba Besharati, whose thoughtful mentorship and inclusive approach to student engagement are qualities I strive to emulate in my own lab.