
Farah Alibay is a French-Canadian Aerospace Engineer. Born in Montreal (Quebec, Canada), she spent most of her childhood in Joliette (Quebec) and of her teenage years in Manchester (United Kingdom) tinkering with any project she could get her hands on and fascinated with space and exploration. These passions led her to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Aerospace & Aerothermal Engineering from the University of Cambridge (Cambridge, United Kingdom) before moving back across the Atlantic ocean to pursue a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Boston, USA) with a focus on Systems Engineering. In 2014, she joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) where she is currently part of the M2020 mission, working on the Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars…
In this keynote, Farah shares her career journey, from being the child of immigrants growing up in a small town in Quebec to working at NASA. She discusses her curiosity and determination to pursue a career in a male-dominated field while candidly addressing her failures and challenges. Often the only LGBTQ+ woman of color on her teams, Farah overcame these obstacles one step at a time. She offers advice for those seeking careers in STEM or looking to become better allies for minorities in their fields.
Her presentation highlights key moments in her career, her passion for space and exploration, and how to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. She also touches on vital themes such as improving diversity and inclusion in STEM.
This talk can also be tailored for younger audiences, offering guidance and addressing the challenges they face while encouraging them to pursue their own dreams.
The story of Mars exploration, from the first landing to what lies ahead. What have we achieved, and where are we going?
The challenges of exploring Mars and what we hope to discover.
The importance of teamwork and the unique challenges of aerospace engineering.
What does the work of an aerospace engineer look like?
This presentation is filled with personal anecdotes and lessons learned through hands-on experience in the field.
Each talk can be tailored to suit specific needs in terms of content, duration, and audience participation. Farah particularly enjoys engaging with her audience, sparking reflection, and encouraging discussion and curiosity. Her goal is for attendees to leave with a renewed interest in science and technology and a sense of awe for space exploration!