Our Queer Universe: Entangled Identities, Breaking Barriers, and the Path to Discovery

The universe is inherently queer—a space where complexity and deviation from the norm lead to the most profound discoveries. As one of the few Afrolatine queer women in physics, my journey through the field reflects this queerness. Drawing from my experience navigating a landscape define by systemic barriers and intersecting identities, while challenging the “Standard Model” of who belongs in science, I will critically examine and redefine what pathways to success in physics can and should looks like. In this talk, I draw from the central themes of my forthcoming book, Our Queer Universe: Deconstructing Definitions, Producing Particle Beams, and Examining Entangled Identities, to explore how queerness—both as an identity and a framework for challenging norms—has profoundly shaped my scientific journey. From unraveling the mysteries of the universe to dismantling exclusionary systems through initiatives like Black In Physics, Change-Now, and Oyanova Enterprises, I argue that identities existing beyond societal norms embody the spirit and essence of physics beyond the Standard Model.

Drawing on my experiences in science communication, community organizing, and mentorship, I will explore how centering historically excluded voices transforms not only who participates in physics but also how it is practiced. By reframing challenges as opportunities for systemic overhaul, I will discuss strategies for creating equitable research environments and fostering inclusive pathways in STEM. This is an invitation to graduate students, junior scholars, and the broader physics community to envision a future where our discipline reflects the richness of the universe itself—vibrant, entangled, and unapologetically queer