Changemakers in science

Passionate about making smaller and more efficient semiconductors, physicist Sonia Guimarães is a relentless voice for equity in Brazilian science.

After leaving academia, chemist Daisy Rosas Vargas starting leading outreach to encourage Latina people in pursuit of science careers.

Salah Obayya works to advance women’s research careers in photonics in Egypt.

Undeterred by US funding cuts, behavioural-health researcher Jason Flatt studies how dementia affects people from sexual and gender minorities.

Nathan Alexander's laboratory welcomes ‘anyone and everyone’ to use a mix of mathematics and computing to solve challenges in society.

Yohannes Haile-Selassie wants to shift the trajectory of palaeoanthropology in fossil-rich Ethiopia away from its long colonial heritage.

Vukosi Marivate learnt that communities, not just superstar individuals, can open doors in artificial intelligence.

Biochemist Babita Paudel strives to change Nepal’s standing as the Asian country with the lowest participation of women in science.

Biologist Tatsuya Amano works to make science a fairer place for non-fluent speakers.

Arachnologist Lauren Esposito develops community platforms to share LGBTQ+ voices and wants to shed light on the overlooked intersectional barriers affecting queer people of colour.

Laurie Barge and Arezoo Khodayari created an internship between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California State University, Los Angeles to launch the careers of students from minority backgrounds.

Amanda Black’s work has shown that healthy soil structures depend on the synergy of a large variety of organisms — and so does scientific discovery, she argues.

Chemist Robert Mokaya works to advance equality in science for Black researchers in the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa.

Euzobia Mugisha Baine describes the formative influences that inspired her to become the first gender-equity officer at Makerere University in Kampala.

Joslynn Lee’s Indigenous heritage shapes her research and how she mentors the next generation of biochemists.

Frankie Heyward explains why he founded the National Black Postdoctoral Association, and why researchers must honestly evaluate their privilege.

Molecular biologist Rana Dajani works to support the careers and education of women and minority groups in the Arab world and beyond.

The space scientist and broadcaster describes how she deals with racism, taps dyslexia’s hidden powers and inspires disadvantaged students to pursue science careers.

The former health minister talks about her push to transform health equity in Rwanda and calls out the concept of Western supremacy.

Geoff Palmer, Scotland’s first Black professor, now applies scientific rigour to researching slavery.

JoAnn Trejo attributes her path to pharmacology to her immigrant family’s strong work ethic. Today, she uses recruitment and mentorship training to unlock the potential of other scientists from under-represented groups.

As head of the Black In Neuro network, Kaela S. Singleton argues that Black success should not require hardship or struggle.

Freeman Hrabowski learnt the power of bold actions when he marched for civil rights in his youth. Since then, he has encouraged others to question the status quo — and affirm Black student success in the sciences.

Over 30 years, the scholarship programme Hrabowski founded has supported more than 1,500 Black students. He spoke to Nature for our new Changemakers series.

All around the world, people are pushing back against racism, gender bias and other forms of discrimination to make a positive difference. Our series will tell their stories and highlight their achievements.

Biochemist Babita Paudel urges her female colleagues to dream big, work hard, take risks and embrace challenges.

JoAnn Trejo has turned mentoring into an evidence-based science, driven by her own exposure to inspiring mentors.

Joslynn Lee describes why she seeks to bridge the Native American worldview with Western science.

Arezoo Khodayari and a colleague at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory provide paid internships aimed at under-represented groups in science.

Computer scientist Vukosi Marivate works to ensure Africa is not left behind in the drive to deliver artificial intelligence’s societal benefits.

Journals and conference organizers could do more to help researchers overcome language barriers, but artificial intelligence might widen inequalities, warns Tatsuya Amano.

Rana Dajani's research includes identifying risk factors for type 2 diabetes, and genetic links to trauma.

The Indigenous beliefs underpinning soil chemist Amanda Black's approach could deliver a more inclusive research culture, she says.

Eight scientists who appeared in Nature's Changemaker series are to feature in a forthcoming podcast series. Kendall Powell and Deborah Daley introduce them.