Browse SPIE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion program of this Digitial Forum provides the opportunity to learn more about workplace diversity issues related to the astronomy field, discuss important topics within a dedicated Slack channel, and even speak with a diversity expert one-on-one in the EDI exhibition booth.
Additional information and resources can be found on the SPIE Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources page. Help us expand the conversation by submitting suggestions for SPIE to add additional resources to our programatic and recource offerings.
Director of Diversity & Inclusion National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO)
Lyndele is an educator and activist, and is passionate about issues related to diversity, inclusion, justice and equity. Her professional work is centered around removing barriers to equitable access to STEM careers by students from BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. In addition to efforts designed to support a truly inclusive and welcoming culture within the Observatory, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion coordinates Broader Impact activities at the NRAO, including the National Astronomy Consortium, the NINE Program, and Project RADIAL.
Ameerah McBride is the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer for AURA, having joined the organization in December 2019. Prior to joining the AURA corporate office, McBride served as Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator and Director of Equity and Inclusion at Texas State University. Prior to joining the administration at Texas State in May of 2018, Ameerah was Special Assistant to the Chancellor, Director of Equal Opportunity & Access/Title IX Coordinator and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Oshkosh, WI.
Alysha Shugart is the newest (and first) Observations Specialist at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Before the recent change, Alysha served Gemini South International Observatory as a science operations specialist and diversity advocate for the AURA centers in Chile. During her time as a diversity advocate, Alysha worked to bring different perspectives into light in the organization, including local Chilean D&I activists, lawmakers, anthropologists, and poets to create a culture of shared appreciation for diversity in thought. Alysha has also collaborated to introduce more inclusive policies and a DEI network into NSF's NOIRlab and AURA.
Lead Workplace Culture Advocate (WCA) Vera C. Rubin Observatory
Sandrine Thomas (she/her) is the Lead Workplace Culture Advocate (WCA) for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory now in construction in Chile. Sandrine is deeply interested in creating a welcoming, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone, allowing fruitful collaboration. As the other WCAs, she values people's diversity of experience, expertise, and perspective.
Pascale Hibon (she/her) is the Telescope System Scientist at the ESO/VLT located at Cerró Paranal in Chile. She is, among other things, in charge of overviewing the end-to-end performance of the 48-meter telescopes. She is also the acting Adaptive Optics System Scientist at the ESO/VLT. She shares her time between observatory duties, scientific research (high redshift Universe), diversity and inclusion activities, and her love of outdoors adventures.
JPL Fellow, Senior Research Scientist, a Principal Engineer, and the Technical Supervisor and Lead for the Advanced Detectors, Systems, and Nanoscience Group NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Dr. Shouleh Nikzad is a JPL Fellow, Senior Research Scientist, a Principal Engineer, and the Technical Supervisor and Lead for the Advanced Detectors, Systems, and Nanoscience Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. She holds visiting faculty and lecturer appointments at Caltech Physics, Math, and Astronomy Division and Caltech’s Medical Engineering Department and previously at Neurosurgery Departments of Cedar Sinai Medical Center and USC Keck school of medicine. Her research focuses on sensors and instruments for space astrophysics, planetary sciences, astrophysics, space weather, and medicine. Dr. Nikzad is a Fellow of SPIE, IEEE, APS, and National Academy of Inventors. Her recognitions include NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal, SPIE’s 2021 Aden and Marjorie Meinel Technology Achievement Award, SBMT Pioneer in Medicine Award (Technology and Leadership), and NASA-JPL’s Lew Allen Award of Excellence. She serves on JPL’s Inclusion Advisory Committee and SPIE’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion subcommittee.
Science Operations Specialist Gemini North Observatory, part of NSF's NOIRLab
Jocelyn Ferrara is a Science Operations Specialist at the Gemini North Observatory, part of NSF's NOIRLab. She has served as a Diversity Advocate for Gemini for two years and prior to that led and participated in various diversity and inclusion initiatives and committees throughout her career.
Watch additional recordings of past online EDI events
For a limited time, these videos have been made available for the Digital Forum. All recordings from previous online events from the SPIE.Online program are available on demand to all members without restriction.
