We, as scientists, have impacted society in unimaginable ways through evidence-based reasoning. We created the internet, satellites, television, rockets, cell phones, self-driving cars, microwaves, refrigeration and so much more. We continue to push our boundaries of knowing through curiosity- and society-driven research.
Given our profound impact on society, I firmly believe that we, as scientists, need to evaluate our practices within science. We need to take responsibility for our words and actions. We need to evaluate the ways in which we treat people within our field and those outside of our own disciplines.
I contribute in small and big ways to transform our field into a place that is truly welcoming for all people regardless of their backgrounds, where anyone interested in pursuing their scientific interests feel both safe and brave. I've worked to educate my colleagues to learn how to listen, develop a growth-mindset towards learning, and move into action. I have created communities of support to ensure no one feels alone in their journey and shared my tips on how I've navigated through. When we work together as a powerful team, we can achieve great things.
I served on domestic and international advisory boards at organizations such as NASA, ESA, APS, AAAS,SACNAS to help shape a healthier future for gravitational wave astrophysics, bridge programs, science policy, and STEM as a whole
I wrote about my dreams of shifting our scientific culture into one that is based in a foundational sense of respect for one another in an article for March for Science
I activated our STEM community to work towards eradicating systemic anti-Black racism by co-founding #ShutDownSTEM, a day of action on June 10, 2020, to get us moving forward together
I co-founded the Society of Indigenous Physicists and led the effort to write about some of the challenges Indigenous Peoples face in physics, astronomy, engineering, and planetary science