June 19, 2023
George Kinias

Photo (c) Sarafina El Badry Nance , Astrophysicist, Science Communicator, Health and STEM Advocate

Sarafina El-Badry Nance is an Egyptian American astrophysicist, science communicator, health and STEM advocate and PhD student in the Department of Astronomy, Berkley University. She has devoted her career to studying supernovae from both an observational and theoretical perspective. Her scientific goal is to measure the rate of the expansion of the Universe propelled by dark energy and using supernovae to study the composition and fate of the Universe. 

Determining when the supernova Betelgeuse will explode has been a recent focus of her research. Her work has been recognized in academic journals and in presentations given around the country. She has also been featured in popular science publications like Space.com, BBC, Sky & Telescope, NPR Short Wave, and National Geographic.

While Sarafina’s eyes are studying the stars, her feet are firmly planted on the ground and the challenges she has faced on her journey to where she is today have shaped her earthly goals. Motivated from the obstacles she faced as a young student scientist in the male-dominated field of astrophysics, she expanded to the digital world and became a science communicator. 

She uses these opportunities to mentor young women through the challenges of self-doubt, and lack of confidence that she faced as a young scientist. Her goal is to make STEM more accessible for everyone, while helping change the narrative of who can be a scientist and what being a scientist looks like.

In addition to astronomy, Sarafina is also a passionate women’s health advocate. She was diagnosed with the cancer-causing BRCA gene mutation in her early 20’s, and chose to have a preventative double mastectomy to lower her high risk of breast cancer. She is vocal about her journey, as well as the importance of genetic testing, self-checks, and preventative medicine.