Chaneil James, MSc.

Chaneil James, MSc., is an accomplished interdisciplinary physicist. With her exceptional communication skills, she effectively bridges the gap between science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) by making these complex subjects accessible to a wider audience.

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Chaneil completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Sciences (geophysics based) at University College London (UCL), where her notable Geosciences Project focused on "The Evolution of Mercury's Core." During her time at UCL, she served as the Community Coordinator for the Frontier Development Lab for both the North American and European Teams and gained valuable experience as a student intern at CERN. Chaneil also took on the role of Diversity Coordinator for UKSEDS, and later Head of Sponsorship for Edinburgh Women in Space, emphasizing her commitment to promoting inclusivity in the field.

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Continuing her academic journey, Chaneil pursued a Master's degree in Astrophysics, Particle Physics, and Cosmology at the University of Barcelona (UB). Her master's thesis delved into the characteristics of suprathermal particles observed by the Solar Orbiter satellite during their journey from the Sun to Earth. Throughout her master's studies, Chaneil demonstrated her expertise as a Freelance Scientific Journalist for Physics World, and as a Subject Matter Expert in Earth and space sciences for NASA SpaceApps Hackathon events, including the exploration of topics such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Chaneil has had the privilege of participating as an independent expert at the United Nations Economic Commission of Europe's Nineteenth session of the Joint Task Force on Environmental Statistics and Indicators, as well as the working group on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Additionally, she proudly represented AstroNoir at the 1st and 2nd Sessions of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent organized by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner.

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Drawing from her decade-long experience as an educator through tutoring and teaching, Chaneil recognized the common intimidation people faced when engaging with STEAM subjects. Identifying the lack of representation and accessibility as contributing factors, she founded AstroNoir in 2020 to address these issues and inspire a new generation of learners in STEAM fields.