Amina Diop, a fifth-year doctoral student at the University of Virginia, is a rising star in the field of astronomy. Her journey began with a love for space documentaries, which ignited her passion for the stars and inspired her to pursue a career in astronomy. Despite facing challenges, including the transition from Senegal to South Africa and later to the U.S., Diop has persevered and found success in her academic career. She has won a prestigious NASA FINESST fellowship and has been instrumental in bridging the gap between astronomy and her home country of Senegal through outreach and mentorship. In this interview, Diop shares her experiences and offers advice to young Black scientists, emphasizing the importance of resilience and community support. From her work on protoplanetary disks to her involvement in the Disk-Exoplanet C/onnection collaboration, Diop is making significant contributions to the field of astronomy and inspiring the next generation of scientists.
