Published December 23, 2024
By : Staff Writer
Tracy Simone Edwards, the recipient of the 2023 Women of Color (WOC) Student Leadership Award, recently announced that she was invited to be a guest speaker at the National Astronomy Consortium in Washington, D.C.
"It was an inspiring experience to connect with physics and astronomy students who are currently enrolled in or considering graduate programs," Tracy shared on LinkedIn.
She continued: "We had meaningful discussions about the evolving expectations, tools, and habits required to support students of color in their graduate school journey.
"Key topics included recognizing signs of burnout, seeking mental health resources, and maintaining professionalism."
Tracy was honored at the 28th annual WOC STEM Conference.
The Student Leadership Award honors an exceptional young individual who has made significant positive impacts on the lives of their peers.
As a doctoral student in nuclear physics at Michigan State University, Tracy is one of fewer than 150 African American women to hold a Ph.D. in physics.
She hopes her journey can inspire other women of color to pursue STEM fields.
Her research focuses on creating zinc isotopes that could revolutionize medical devices.
This work has the potential to help diabetic patients by developing zinc isotopes necessary for converting sugar into insulin through injections.
Tracy's interest in physics began with her brother's autism diagnosis and the transformative effects of physics-based therapies.
She emphasizes the importance of persistence, which requires deep reflection, the courage to pivot when necessary, and the ability to build a supportive community.
