ashields25@nul.org
Speaker Bio
Dr. Aomawa Shields is an astronomer, astrobiologist, and classically trained actor who uses her theater background to communicate science to the public in engaging, innovative ways. A Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences and a 2015 TED Fellow, her TED Talk “How We’ll Find Life on Other Planets” has garnered over 1.8 million views. Dr. Shields also wrote and narrated the popular TED Ed talk, “Should We Be Looking for Life Elsewhere in the Universe?” for young audiences. Dr. Shields is a 2025 recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) and the National Science Foundation’s CAREER award, among others. She is the founder and director of Rising Stargirls, a program dedicated to encouraging girls of all colors and backgrounds to learn about the universe using theater, writing, and visual art. Dr. Shields’ memoir, "Life on Other Planets: A Memoir of Finding My Place in the Universe," was published by Viking in 2023.