We are thrilled to introduce three new Application Developers who are joining the DataCite team. Each one brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and passions. We are excited to have them on board, and we look forward to their impact in working on the Open Global Data Citation Corpus and other DataCite services. Together, we will continue to pave the way for a more open and collaborative research landscape. Welcome!

Welcome Ashwini!
I’m Ashwini Sukale, Hailing from the vibrant and diverse land of India 🇮🇳 bringing over a decade of professional experience to the table. My journey spans diverse sectors, from Healthcare to E-commerce. My forte is enhancing applications and optimizing performance. Beyond work, I’m a nature lover, dancer, and avid badminton player. Traveling is my passion and trekking is where I find serenity.
Before joining DataCite as an Application Developer, my journey in the tech world was marked by diverse experiences. I’ve had the privilege of delving into Healthcare, E-commerce, Survey Management, Energy Analytics, and Education. It’s been a journey of continuous growth and adaptation, and my specialty has been upgrading applications and optimizing their performance. Over the years, I’ve honed my problem-solving skills, which have proven invaluable in navigating the complexities of web development.
What excites me about DataCite is our mission to make research outputs and resources openly available and connected. I’m thrilled to contribute to the global research community, facilitating the seamless sharing and utilization of knowledge. DataCite’s values of reliability, trust, transparency, and inclusivity align perfectly with my own, making it an ideal place for me to contribute to their mission.
Welcome Kuda!
Hey there, I’m Kudakwashe Siziva, and I’m thrilled to share a bit about myself as I join the DataCite family as an Application Developer. My journey in the tech world has been a rollercoaster of exciting experiences, and I’ve had the privilege of working across various sectors, including E-Commerce, EduTech, FinTech, Health, and consulting. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, I now call South Africa home, where my passion for web technologies has taken center stage.
Recently, my focus has been on Ruby on Rails upgrades, software architecture, and performance optimization. I’ve always believed in staying at the forefront of the tech industry, and these areas have become my playground for innovation and growth.
Outside of the tech realm, you can find me spiking volleyballs on the court, exploring new destinations as an avid traveler, and embarking on long, scenic drives to unwind. But my passion extends beyond personal pursuits; I also love tech conferences. Each time I get the chance to conquer my imposter syndrome, I eagerly step up to present at conferences, with a particular focus on Python-related events in Africa.
Before joining DataCite, I worked on a multitude of projects, immersing myself in web technologies, software architecture, performance optimization, and web security. It’s been a journey of continuous learning and adaptation, both professionally and personally.


Welcome Wendel!
Hey there! I’m Wendel and I’ve joined DataCite as an Application Developer. I was born and raised in good ol’ South Africa and call the bustling city of Johannesburg, home.
I’ve had the good fortune of working on loads of different types of projects and technologies. Experiencing life, in both consultancies and startups. I’ve built e-commerce solutions, MiFID II compliance software for a large European bank, worked in the payments team of one of the most exciting online payment services startups in South Africa and, most recently, helped build software to fund the academic ambitions of students with less means.
In time, I’ve found myself in a very privileged position in my career. I am able to choose the type of work I want to do and the type of people I’d like to do that work with. I want to be proud of the work I do and to try and leave the world in a better place than I found it. Given this, DataCite presents me with a wonderful opportunity to live up to these ideals. To work on ambitious projects whose primary goal is the democratization of knowledge. This is certainly something I can be proud of and I look forward to contributing and hopefully making a meaningful impact in the community.