Overcoming Impostor Syndrome: Insights from Astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance

Egyptian-American astrophysicist Sarafina El-Badry Nance has released her debut memoir, "Starstruck," which explores her experiences as a woman of color in the field of astrophysics. Nance discusses her passion for astronomy, the challenges she faced as a minority in STEM, and the importance of representation. She also shares her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy and breast reconstruction due to a genetic mutation that increases the risk of cancer. Nance addresses the issue of objectification in her swimsuit photoshoot for Sports Illustrated and discusses her ongoing battle with impostor syndrome. She is currently completing her PhD in astrophysics and hopes to combine her love for science, space, and communication in her future endeavors. Her advice to young women pursuing careers in astronomy is to persevere and not let others define their capabilities.