Wanda Díaz-Merced

Since her 20s, the Puerto Rican astrophysicist has been blind. Even then, she was the first to hear a gamma-ray burst (GRB). For many years, GRB's data and graphs were restricted, making them inaccessible to someone with such a disability. Her outstanding work and persistence led to the development of a technique that converts visual data into sound. She is a strong example of the growing need for diversity and inclusion, as her innovation enabled discoveries that couldn't have been made with visual data alone. Wanda continues to advocate for greater inclusivity in the scientific community.

Related links: WomenInnovations and School Observatory