In collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students - Beirut, we held Food4Thought session aimed at encouraging women in STEM, titled: “Taking Up Space - My Stellar Journey as an Astrophysicist” by Ghina Halabi, Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge.

Abstract

Stars are the dynamo of the Universe, factory of its elements and driver of its rattling events. They live eventful lives then fade away and die, donating matter back to the Universe. How do we learn about these heavenly bodies and what secrets do they hide? That’s a tale I will tell on this stellar ride.

I will also talk about my journey through it all, what inspires it, and my science communication initiative “Scheherazade Speaks Science”.

About the Speaker

Ghina Halabi is a space scientist, storyteller, mentor and gender equality advocate. She works at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge and is a Junior Research Fellow of Wolfson College. Halabi is the first person to obtain a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from a Lebanese institution, the American University of Beirut, where she worked as a lecturer before moving to Cambridge. 

She is the founder of Scheherazade Speaks Science (www.shespeaksscience.com), an award-winning science storytelling platform that makes science accessible and promotes the visibility of women in STEM. She is an invited speaker at international astronomy conferences and global forums including the United Nations and TEDx. She coaches and consults on science communication and differentiation strategies using storytelling.