Meet 5 scientists reshaping the way we understand the world

New scientific findings come out every day. Often, people only learn about the researchers behind some of these discoveries years or decades later when they win a Nobel Prize. We think you should know about them much sooner.

This year, Science News is highlighting five early- and mid-career scientists as part of our Scientists to Watch series. Some are working to solve big societal challenges while others aim to expand our knowledge of the world. Below, you’ll meet scientists who are unraveling the mysteries of black holes, investigating the geology of icy moons, tying childhood experiences to mental health, studying diseases that disproportionately affect women of color and assessing the impact of climate change on the Arctic.

For the first time, you can also watch interviews with the scientists. We hope you’ll be inspired by their passion for using science to answer big questions. As always, please send nominations for next year’s Scientists to Watch to [email protected]. — Karen Kwon, Research and Special Projects Editor

Erika Moore

Biomedical engineer Erika Moore investigates diseases that disproportionately affect women of color.

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Alex Lupsasca

Theoretical physicist Alex Lupsasca is pushing for a space telescope to glimpse the thin ring of light that is thought to surround every black hole.

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Adeene Denton

Planetary scientist Adeene Denton runs computer simulations to investigate Pluto, the moons of Saturn and other icy bodies in the solar system.

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M. Catalina “Cat” Camacho

A child-friendly brain imaging technique is just one way neuroscientist Cat Camacho investigates how children learn to process emotions.

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Marianne Falardeau

Polar marine ecologist Marianne Falardeau investigates how Arctic ecosystems are shifting under climate change.

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