Growing up in Okinawa, I never saw a scientist. My parents were farmers, and it wasn’t expected — especially for a girl — to pursue science. That all changed when I attended NASA Space Camp and touched a real moon rock at the Smithsonian Museum. That moment opened my world. Space suddenly felt real and reachable, and I knew I wanted to be part of that world. That spark of wonder and possibility has stayed with me ever since.

I work where science, education, and community meet, striving to make science more accessible, inclusive, engaging, and inspiring for all. I do this by co-creating programs with schools and community partners to ensure science education reflects the community’s values, voices, and needs. I support major international research projects by ensuring that broader impacts, like community engagement and workforce development, are thoughtfully integrated. In short, I help connect science with people.

What I’m most proud of is helping students — many from underserved communities — realize that, when it comes to science, they belong. I’ve also brought my five-year-old daughter with me to over two dozen international conferences, showing that science and motherhood can coexist. Creating space for others, especially where none existed before, is the accomplishment that means the most to me.

Balancing a scientific career with single motherhood, community engagement, and educational work hasn’t been easy. But I learned to own my story, not shrink from it. I built support networks, found strength in community, and stayed grounded in my roots and values. It’s how I make systems better.

I want to leave behind a world where science is shaped by and for everyone. I hope to build bridges between disciplines, cultures, and generations. If one young girl sees someone like her in science because of the paths I’ve helped create, then I’ve done something meaningful.

My legacy is not just in the galaxies I study, but in the communities that I serve. Science is not just about discovery: It’s about connection. The universe is vast, but so is the potential within each of us. Let’s keep creating spaces where everyone can reach for the stars — and bring others with them.

Yuko Kakazu
Astronomer, Education & Engagement Manager, Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory and National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Born in Japan / Resides in United States
Educational Background: BS in Physics, Tohoku University, Japan; MS and PhD in Astronomy, University of Hawai'i, United States