For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the stars - not just as distant points of light, but as windows into the vast mysteries of our universe. Space has always been personal to me, sparking my curiosity and shaping the path I’ve followed in both my studies and professional work. Over the years, this fascination has guided me through incredible opportunities in space science, alongside my involvement with organisations focused on women's equality in education and UNICEF. These experiences have fuelled my drive to push boundaries, both in science and advocacy.
As you may have noticed, this post is different from my usual writings about space and astronomy. Today, I want to reflect on where I’ve been and where I’m headed - a new era, one defined by new organisations, new ambitions, and fresh challenges. But at the heart of it all, my core ambitions remain unchanged: space exploration and pursuing research in medicine. As I take on these new opportunities, this post marks a personal milestone, setting the tone for an exciting new chapter in my life and ambitions!
Where It All Began
My fascination with space started long before I had the chance to truly study it. As a child, I found myself captivated by all the undiscovered opportunities of space exploration, wondering what lay beyond them. I remember when I was only five or six years old, sitting down on my little drawing desk thinking of ways to expand humanity's horizons past our own atmosphere. As crazy as it sounds, my first ever idea relating to outer space was how a big problem such as overpopulation could be solved if we all lived on a larger planet such as Saturn, and how Saturn's rings can be used as the main driving street for spaceship cars - which would help reduce traffic! Quite a big imagination for a kid who knew absolutely nothing about planet habitability, astrobiology, or anything for that matter... yet that is where it all began.
In my early teenage years I found myself fascinated by medicine. I would spend almost all my breaks during the school days just curled up in a corner of the library reading medical books as well as any research I could get a hold of. That was when I decided that a career in medicine would be the only kind of career I could imagine myself pursuing. This decision still stands, to this day. That is not to say I never had other careers and pursuits come to mind, but they never sprouted a seed of determination and ambition in me like medicine did.
Along those years I would also spend my summers studying algebra, geometry and pre-calculus on the side. Now you may be wondering "why on Earth would 13 and 14 year old Riyam be doing that?" and to be honest, it was all because of a random little detail I noticed in a mainstream Netflix show I was watching. That detail happened to be Planck's constant. I couldn't tell you why, but I was immediately fascinated by it and when I went to google it, I was awed by how it is such a fundamental universal constant that defines the quantum nature of energy and photon frequency - and something in me awoke. I was now determined to study all things related to Quantum Physics and Atomic Physics. So, there began my love for mathematics and physics. I knew nothing better than to sit for months and months on end teaching myself those topics, I stocked my library with books like "Quantum Physics for Beginners", "Einsteins Unfinished Revolution: The Search for What Lies Beyond the Quantum", "Thinking Fast and Slow", and so many other books that completely changed who I was a person.
It was also during this time that I began participating in various science and technology events that helped deepen my interest in both fields. In 2018 and 2019, I took part in the TEKLA festival at KTH University (Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology), where I tested out early and pre-launch projects with ImagiLabs, designing and building prototypes. My participation in Girls in ICT (Information Communication Technology) allowed me to co-design a VR game and collaborate with leading technology companies.
All these experiences further helped me solidify my desire to pursue my high school education down the sciences stream. So by the time I entered high school, I had already set my sights on a future that could somehow be in both space and medicine, which led me to major in natural sciences!
Leadership and Advocacy
In addition to my academic pursuits, I became involved in several organisations that focused on gender equality and youth empowerment in STEM. In 2021, I worked in Girls in STEM as an Event Coordinator, and later joined the organisation board as an Information Manager, organising events designed to inspire the young to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematic fields. I was fortunate enough making a positive impact on a topic that continues to captivate me, and along those years I had the chance to meet and personally get to know some of the most amazing people who never fail to motivate me and many others alike!
That same year, I was scouted and called on to have the honour of representing UNICEF Sweden at their first global forum for children and youth. It was an incredible experience, where I collaborated with exceptionally talented and motivational people to seek innovative and technological solutions to general global issues, including and especially those affecting youth. This moment - where advocacy and science intersected - gave me a new perspective on the role of social justice in STEM fields.
Space, Organisations and High School
In 2021, I became a member of Sweden’s Astronomical Youth Organisation (Astronomisk Ungdom). My involvement in this organisation marked a turning point in my journey, as it provided me with larger leadership opportunities and allowed me to contribute directly to the astronomy community in Sweden. I have had the opportunity of attending events and forums - such as the biennial Space Forum that was held in Gothenburg in 2021 - as well as organising many of my own events where incredible memories were made and lifelong friends were met. I have co-founded space organisations as well as served as the Vice President of the Stockholm District from 2023 to 2024 where I personally oversaw many of the district's projects.
In addition to that, throughout my high school years I was a very active member of COSMOS - my school's space organisation, as I later got voted for President at the end of my first year of high school! My leadership at COSMOS lasted up until I graduated in 2024 and it gave me the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of space enthusiasts and contribute to an increased appreciation for astronomy in my high school. It was a space where people could come together to engage, explore, and learn, and it remains one of the most fulfilling roles I’ve held.
The summer of 2023 was a transformative time for me. I participated in an intensive physics research camp, the International Young Physicists' Tournament where I explored advanced concepts in physics alongside like-minded students. This camp allowed me to engage with cutting-edge research topics such as "Oscillating Spheres Affected by a Magnetic Field" - which was the topic that I researched!
Along the years, I’ve always believed in the importance of continuous learning and allowing myself to pursue what interests me across multiple disciplines. This drive has led me to pursue various certifications at some of the world's most prestigious universities that have ultimately helped me become a more well-rounded person. One of my early achievements was earning a certificate for completing a Roman Architecture course at Yale University from 2021-2023, which gave me a deeper and more genuine appreciation for the historical and scientific significance of important architectural advancements. Later in 2023, I earned a certificate in Astronomy from the University of Arizona, where I truly got to dive right into the mysteries of the cosmos, further fuelling my passion for space. Most recently, I embarked on a new challenge, studying a Human Anatomy course at Harvard Medical School, where I’m exploring the complexities of the human body — knowledge that directly ties into my current research on how space affects human physiology.
A Major Discovery: Quantifying Stellar Parameters Through Transit Observations
From September 2023 to April 2024, I embarked on an ambitious research project for my high school graduation at the Tycho Brahe Observatory in southern Sweden. Together with my project partner (and amazing friend), we worked on Quantifying Stellar Parameters through Transit Observations. Our research led us to discover a rare sun-like star that could potentially be part of a habitable solar system! The excitement of finding such a star was indescribable - it represented a significant step in our understanding of how stars and planetary systems form, and the possibility that life could exist beyond Earth.
If you're interested in our astronomy research, you can check it out here:
This discovery not only deepened my passion for space exploration but also cemented my commitment and love for research. It was a powerful reminder of why I entered this field: to push the boundaries of what we know about the universe and ourselves.
Founding Space Point: Sharing My Passion with the World
In August of 2024, I founded Space Point Publications, a digital magazine dedicated to space exploration and astronomy. Through Space Point, I aim to bring complex space topics to a wider audience, delivering in-depth articles, stunning visuals, and insights into the latest space discoveries. Whether you’re a seasoned space enthusiast or a newcomer, Space Point strives to inspire and educate all who are curious about the universe.
Leading this magazine has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. It allows me to blend my love for writing, education, and space science into something that can make a real impact! I only hope for it to continue to grow and thrive as it has done since launching!
Academia Meets Space Medicine: The Present
Now I have begun my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto (my absolute dream university known for its international prestige and cutting-edge research), pursuing an Honours Bachelor’s of Science in Life Sciences: Biology for Health Sciences as I begin my pre-med stream. Alongside my studies, I am conducting independent research on the effects of spaceflight on brain metabolism, aiming to understand how space conditions impact the human brain. This intersection of space and medicine fascinates me, and it is exactly where I have always dreamt my career to be heading towards: understanding the profound ways in which space affects not only our universe but also our bodies. My journey has led me through discoveries in space, leadership roles in youth organisations, and now into the world of space medicine. My research on brain metabolism in spaceflight is just the beginning of my efforts to understand how space affects human health in hopes of revolutionising space flight for the future astronaut-wannabes out there right now.
I’m excited for what lies ahead. This new era will be marked by fresh challenges and opportunities, but my core goal remains unchanged: to contribute to the fields of space exploration and medicine while continuing to advocate for equality and accessibility in STEM. As I reflect on this journey, from my earliest days of being fascinated by what lies beyond, to my current work in space and medicine, I’m filled with gratitude - for the opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve worked alongside, and the discoveries still waiting to be made. This new chapter is just the beginning of the beginning, and I’m excited to see where it takes me!
Feel free to follow me on LinkedIn (that's where I post all the cool stuff)
Thank you for enjoying this blog post!
Yours truly, Riyam Al-Ojaimi
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