Dr Adriana Marais has a background in theoretical physics, her PhD and postdoctoral research focused on quantum effects in biology and the origins of the building blocks of life in space. Since 2017, Adriana is a Director at the Foundation for Space Development Africa, and also the Head of Science for the Foundation’s Africa2Moon Project, selected for launch to the lunar south pole with China’s upcoming Chang’e-8. Africa2Moon is the first all-African space exploration mission, and also the first lunar radio telescope of its kind, designed to perform new science not possible from Earth and inspire the next generation of African dreamers. In 2019, Adriana left her position as Head of Innovation at SAP Africa to found Proudly Human, and she is currently leading the organisation’s Off-World Project, in preparation for extreme conditions on Earth and beyond. Adriana is also a researcher at the University of Stellenbosch and the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences, both in South Africa, an expert at the Singularity University in California, as well also a member of the committee on Space Resources of the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator.

In 2025, her book ‘Out of this world and into the next‘ was published by Profile Books, and she received Forbes Africa’s Award for Academic Excellence at the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit, as well as the Most Disruptive Award at the Women in Tech Global Awards Ceremony in Paris.