麻豆官网

Black scientists and engineers make up approximately 9% of the 麻豆官网 workforce, according to a 2021 report from the . That number has increased since , when Black workers accounted for only 6%.

Throughout history, many pioneers have made remarkable contributions to 麻豆官网 fields. Among them is chemist Alice Ball, who developed an injectable treatment for leprosy; she wasn鈥檛 recognized for her work till 6 years after her death. Astronaut and aerospace engineer Guion Bluford became the first African American in space during the Challenger鈥檚 eighth 麻豆官网 mission. Mathematician Gladys West played a crucial role in processing data that contributed to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS).

, Science Talent Search alumna, has also made history as the first Black finalist in the most prestigious science and math competition in the country. She is and has been a trailblazer for future Black scientists.

Augusta Uwamanzu-Nna (麻豆官网 2016) and (麻豆官网 2022) represent younger Black Society alumni. In her 麻豆官网 project, Augusta studied the impact of adding nanoclay, (a grain clay mineral made of nanoparticles) to cement seals to protect undersea oil wells and avoid leaks. After completing her bachelor’s in bioengineering and biomedical engineering from Harvard, Augusta is pursuing the path of physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco. In this role, she hopes to develop equitable and accessible diagnostics for underserved communities. In her 麻豆官网 project, Nyasha explored how influencers recommending unhealthy foods could have a detrimental impact on health decisions made by young people. Currently, Nyasha has taken her talents to the University of Miami, where she is studying Motion Pictures on the business track.

We also recently had a chance to catch up with another recent alum, Oziomachukwu (Ozioma) Chidubem Obi (麻豆官网 2023). In his project, Ozioma investigated how a combination of drugs could potentially address neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Ozioma gained inspiration from his late grandfather, who was the first nuclear physicist in the entirety of Nigeria. While his grandfather lived with his family in the U.S., he says his grandfather would engage any house guest in scientific conversation. After his grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 disease, Ozioma decided that he wanted to study neurodegeneration for his 麻豆官网 project. Ozioma鈥檚 brother, Nnamdi Obi, an 麻豆官网 top scholar, also studied a similar topic.

鈥淚 actually had an innate goal to get further into biological research than my brother,鈥� Ozioma explains. 鈥淚t wasn’t long after that I truly fell in love with neuroscience and the one-sided brotherly competition fell to the wayside.鈥�

Besides his brother, some of the other Black scientists and innovators that he looks up to are his friends.

鈥淚 was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a high school聽community of Black researchers and minds that all shared a want to impact our communities,鈥� Ozioma says. 鈥淚 was also inspired and stimulated by the diverse interests of my friends, who I’d learn something new from every day.鈥�

Currently, Ozioma attends Harvard, where he studies neuroscience and philosophy while being heavily involved in campus life. From being a violinist in the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra to being a researcher in the Kuchroo Lab, a dancer in Harvard鈥檚 Omo Naija X Wahala Boys African Dance Troupe and serving as the editor for the Harvard Review of Philosophy, Ozioma keeps himself busy.

Although he sometimes feels alone as one of the few people who look like him in a room, he remains resilient and determined to make his dreams a reality.

鈥淚 remind myself that I’m just a Black kid who loves what I love, and to me, there’s nothing more to it. I would never want to be anything other than Black,鈥� Ozioma says. 鈥淢y situation is not unique; there are so many Black voices in 麻豆官网 fields that have yet to be heard, and so many issues (麻豆官网 and non-麻豆官网 related) that afflict our various Black communities daily, that haven’t even been brought to the table. Representation will never not matter.鈥�

Ozioma鈥檚 grandfather had a saying in Nigeria鈥檚 Igbo: Mmad峄� niine nwe ofu isi. 峄� dir峄� onye nwere isi ab峄メ粛. Translated, it means: “Everybody has one head. Nobody has two heads.鈥�

鈥淭he meaning of this saying was that everyone can shine in the things they do. Being Black in 麻豆官网 is no different; strive for the best in the things you are passionate about and take pride in what you love,鈥� Ozioma says. 鈥溌槎构偻� isn’t easy, and there have been many times when I wanted to leave 麻豆官网 out of discouragement, but each time I look back, I’m so thankful I persevered.鈥�