Bringing Science to Social Media: Poornima Speaks on the Power of Community on Social Media

Poornima’s passion for science, engineering liquid fuels for spacecrafts, and amplifying the voices of lesser known women scientists was too great to not be featured on social media. As the manager for the @thescicommunity Instagram, Poornima capitalizes on the potential of social media to create a thriving, collaborative, and fun space for her 17,000 followers to engage in all things STEM related.

This week, we are highlighting Poornima Peiris, a Sri Lankan born engineer, receiving her Bachelor’s in Engineering from Stony Brook University and is currently a graduate student at Harvard University, studying Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

Poornima’s prowess at engineering and science research could not be confined to just our planet. As a participant in NASA’s space grant program, she applied her talents to space, discovering possibilities for sustainability in space. Poornima conducted research on liquid fuels on Mars, researching its plausibility to be used as a fuel source for the spacecraft’s return to Earth.

Some of Poornima’s other scientific feats include working with the United States Department of Energy in national security and nuclear engineering, previously contributing to Forbes Science and Scientista Foundation, and has experimented not only with research, but into the arts as well.

Poornima’s piece “Dreaming of Space for Us All” was featured at a Space Generation Advisory Council art exhibit in France.

"A work of unity, the artwork features a young south Asian girl in her cultural attire, dreaming about being in space and where people of color and other backgrounds would have equal footing as the ones currently dominating the space sector,” Poornima describes her piece.

Poornima’s art piece connects to one of her main gripes with the science community: the lack of female representation in higher-level science positions. Poornima’s art demonstrates that science has no gender. It also demonstrates the connection between two different disciplines: science and art. Both disciplines are necessary for society’s flourishing. Art conveys truth in nuanced ways that are not always obvious in science disciplines.

In addition to studying liquid fuel and creating art, one of Poornima’s most influential achievements involves her social media presence. Poornima manages the @thescicommunity Instagram account, which highlights talented women scientists and various science events around the world. @thescicommunity featured the International Day for Women and Girls in Science Assembly, so be sure to check that out! Her account has attracted over 17,000 followers.

Poornima also manages the @stemcorps Instagram account, where she launched her “Stem it Up” Initiative.

Poornima understands the responsibility of having a large social media presence and playing a role in influencing the lives of young women and girls. Poornima talks about the role of social media advocacy in terms of pursuing gender equity within the sciences.

“I think now we have more opportunities to do science communication thanks to the many social media platforms and science advocacy have become a norm for many wonderful scientists and engineers. I recently launched the stem it up initiative, to encourage people in stem and especially to attract youth and young women in stem to step it up when it comes to pursuing male dominated fields and science and engineering while not being afraid to boldly embrace who they are.”

Certainly, putting yourself out on the internet and being one of the few women in NASA’s space grant program takes some bravery. Poornima concluded her remarks with some words of wisdom for the upcoming generation of female scientists.

“I think persistence is key when it comes to stem but overall, anything in life but also knowing how best to use and devote your energy to become the best version of yourself is important during your journey.”

However, Poornima also cautions younger scientists not to stretch themselves too thin. The world is brimming with opportunities. There are always more cures to be discovered, more sustainable methods to be practiced, more ideas to be negotiated. While we should be optimists, we should also be realists in how many opportunities we can effectively commit ourselves to. In light of this advice, Poornima had to turn down a leadership opportunity to focus on her graduate studies.

“I had to be transparent about my current capacity to best serve and contribute to that leadership role. So being realistic about the expectations you set for yourself is important so that you can be accountable, especially when it comes to time commitment regarding professional opportunities.”

And, in Poornima’s trademark words, don’t be discouraged, be determined.