Meet the Scientists
Many Worlds TV features a collection of out-of-the-box scientists from around the world, of every color, creed, and age. Their common denominator? An insatiable passion to know more, to keep discovering.
Chung-Pei Ma
Astrophysicist, University of California, Berkeley
- Immigrated from Taipei
- One of the world’s foremost black hole hunters
- Led teams that discovered several of the largest known black holes
- Gifted, conseratory trained violinist
Jessie Christiansen
Astronomer, NASA
- First generation college student
- Discovers exoplanets
- Deputy Science Lead at the NASA Exoplanet Archive
- Women in STEM mentor and science communicator
- Mom of twins
Juan Gilbert
Human Centered Computing, University of Florida
- First generation college student
- Built a universal design voting machine
- Uses technology to solve real-world problems
- Heads the Human Experience Research Laboratory
- Father of two
Caroline Solomon
Biological Oceanography, Gallaudet University
- Deaf since infancy
- Researches the effects of human activity on waterways
- One of NPR's "50 Great Teachers"
- Co-creator of the signs used for scientific terms in American Sign Language
- Mother
Ashley H. Sanderlin
Neuroscientist, Wake Forest Baptist Health
- First generation college student
- First African American to attain a PhD in Neuroscience at Michigan State University
- Researches the relationships between diet, sleep, and Alzheimer's disease
- Mother of two
Konstantin Batygin
Planetary Scientist, CalTech
- Second generation scientist
- Immigrated from Russia
- Discovered Planet 9
- Plays guitar in his rock band, The Seventh Season
Kizzmekia Corbett
Viral Immunologist, Harvard University and NIH
- Central to the development of the Moderna mRNA vaccine
- Responsible for the fastest vaccine development process in history
- Time Magazine's 2021 "Time100 Next," with her profile written by Dr. Fauci
- Auntie
Michael Habib
Paleontologist, USC & Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
- Digs for dinosaur bones
- Teaches gross anatomy to medical students
- Combines art and science to re-imagine long-dead creatures
- Named one of the 2014 Brilliant Ten in Popular Science
Raychelle Burks
Analytical Chemist, American University
- First generation college student
- Develops tests for explosives and narcotics
- Criminology researcher
- Award-winning science communicator
Sean Carroll
Theoretical Physicist
- First generation college student
- Host of the popular podcast Mindscape
- Best-selling author of four popular science books
- Champion poker player
Laurel Bristow
Infectious Disease Researcher, Emory University
- Instagram science influencer (382k followers)
- Uses social media to debunk science myths
- Worked on the remdesivir trials during COVID
Andrew Huberman
Neuroscientist, Stanford University
- Second generation scientist
- Fitness expert
- Formerly homeless, high school drop-out
- Popular podcast host and social media presence (518k followers)
- Discovered a method to partially reverse blindness
Ellen Ochoa
Veteran Astronaut, NASA
- First Hispanic woman to go to space
- First Hispanic director and second female director of Johnson Space Center
- Research engineer and patent-holding inventor
- Mother of two
Jess Phoenix
Geologist
- Founder of Blueprint Earth
- Ran for a congressional seat in California
- Author of Ms. Adventure
- Popular TED speaker
Stephon Alexander
Cosmologist, Brown University
- First generation college student
- Immigrated from Trinidad
- Professional jazz saxophonist
- Uses music theory to explain string theory
Itzel Marquez
Chemical Engineer, Central Michigan University
- Immigrated from Mexico
- Focused on wastewater treatment and sustainable technology
- Vocal advocate for LGBTQAI+ in science
Andrew Rader
Aerospace Engineer, Space X
- 2013 Winner of Canada's Greatest Know-It-All
- Works on top secret missions at SpaceX
- Author of books for adults and children
- Game designer
Dawnn Karen
Fashion Psychologist
- Model and practicing psychotherapist
- Created the Fashion Psychology field
- The youngest and first Black female psychology professor at the Fashion Institute in NYC
Bistra Dilkina
Computer Scientist, USC
- Solves real-world sustainability issues with computer modeling
- Use AI to preserve biodiversity and to help with urban planning
- Leader in the newly emerging field of Computational Sustainability
Nadine Burke Harris
Physician, State of California
- California Surgeon General
- Award-winning pediatrician
- Researches adverse childhood experiences public health
- Popular TED speaker
- Author of The Deepest Well