Dr. Jedidah Isler

Dr. Jedidah Isler is a lifelong explorer, an award-winning astrophysicist, and a nationally recognized speaker and advocate for inclusive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Currently a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at Vanderbilt University, her research explores the workings of blazars: supermassive, hyperactive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies that create powerful particle jets oriented towards the earth. Isler’s work has been supported by fellowships from NASA, the NSF, and the Ford Foundation. In 2015, she was recognized as a TED Fellow for her innovative research and her efforts to inspire a new generation of STEM leaders from underrepresented backgrounds. She has worked with schools, museums, libraries, and nonprofit organizations across the country to advance the cause of inclusive STEM education and is the creator and host of the monthly web series Vanguard: Conversations with Women of Color in STEM. Isler’s efforts as a scientist and advocate have been featured in various publications including Wired, Diversity in Action, the NAACP’s Crisis Magazine, Black Enterprise and Ebony and her writing has appeared in the New York Times. Recognized for dedicating her career to better understanding our universe and championing access and empowerment in STEM fields, she is a 2016 National Geographic Emerging Explorer.