Meet Central American-Caribbean Astronomy Bridge Program Fellows - Part 8

The Central American - Caribbean Bridge in Astrophysics (Cenca Bridge) is a nonprofit organization established in the state of Tennessee in the United States with the mission to create and develop astronomy research opportunities in Central America and the Caribbean. Opportunities to pursue astrophysics in the region are few with only a handful of programs offering master’s in physics with a concentration in astronomy.  Cenca Bridge connects undergraduates from Central America and the Caribbean to mentors and advisors overseas in hope that they have the choice to pursue astrophysics as a profession. Every year, Cenca Bridge holds the remote internship program, where undergraduate students from the region apply to be selected for a 3-month long paid research internship. As the only organization to provide a paid research remote internship, it is important to highlight the contributions that many women in astrophysics from Central America and the Caribbean have already contributed to our field.

In this series, we will highlight selected fellows. If you'd like to learn more about the program and ways you can get involved please visit https://cencabridgeastro.weebly.com/.

My name is Lynne-Flore Simy, patriot, the youngest of five siblings. I'm speak Creole and French, and I'm learning English. 

Lynne-Flore Simy

My journey into the world of science has been an exciting one. I was born in Haiti, a country rich in culture, but where science is not part of my initial universe. When I finished high school, I  was faced with a dilemma: I clearly knew what I didn't want to do, but I was still searching for my true passion - so much so, in fact, that I had to change direction six months after starting university, and wisely wait at home for the academic year to come to an end before reorienting myself. 

It was then that a cousin advised me to consider computer science as an option. At the time, I  had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I decided to follow her advice. It was the best  decision I ever made! As soon as I started to delve into the world of computer science, I felt a  deep connection with the discipline. 

I decided to pursue a degree in computer science, and it was there that I discovered my true passion: data engineering. Manipulating data, understanding it, and using it to solve complex problems is the best thing ever. Regardless of the field in which the data is manipulated, it's noble and appealing. 

In 2021, when I had just joined the school, the director offered me a course in Astronomy, which was to be my first step into astronomy. I spent almost a month learning Python on Google Colab, without really delving into the big concepts of astronomy. My determination, however, guided me through academic and professional challenges, and I persevered and tried to deepen my knowledge on a daily basis. It was incredible to see how a seemingly insignificant decision to follow my cousin's advice propelled me into a career, a world that excited me more and more every day. 

And then I landed this astrophysics internship at Cenca Bridge. It was an opportunity I was really excited about. I seized it with enthusiasm, because it was a unique chance to explore a whole new field. I wanted to understand the relationship that coexisted between the cosmic world, terrestrial evolution and technological innovations. Ultimately, I'd like to become a technology figure in Haiti so I can help more young people, more girls, to find their way. That's why I co-created a women's technology club, TechnoLead-Women, inaugurated on February 11, 2023. We provide training in a number of digital fields, such as digital marketing, graphic design, virtual and augmented reality, and data. At the moment, we have 10 girls in training. 

I'd like to encourage more young people in my country to learn about and consider science. It's all very well to have an enriching culture, but without science, without technology, we'll never achieve the progress we all dream of. I make time to take part in scientific conferences when I have the opportunity, and I make time for the women's technology club. For all this, I sacrifice part of my sleep. I tell myself that as long as there are more young people with digital training, there's a chance, however small, of getting things moving a bit. 

At 22, I'm realizing that the sky is no longer the limit, but rather the starting point of my exceptional career in astronomy and data engineering. I'm convinced that my passion for these fields will lead me to new and exciting discoveries, and I can't wait to continue exploring the  mysteries of our world and the universe.