Hello and welcome to my website!
I’m currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), the NASA science operations center for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
I defended my PhD in astrophysics at the Observatoire de Paris in 2018, for which I was awarded the IAU PhD Prize. After my PhD, I spent one year as a Teaching and Research Assistant and three months as a science visitor at ESO in Santiago, Chile. From 2021 to 2024, I held my first postdoctoral position as a CNES Fellow at the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France).
At STScI, I study interstellar dust in star-forming regions in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies (such as the SMC and M51), using multi-wavelength observations from JWST and HST. I currently work with Karl Gordon, Julia Roman-Duval, Adam Smercina, and Christopher Clark.
Beyond research, I am passionate about science outreach. I founded the Nomads for Science Initiative, inspired by the success of SpaceBus Morocco and The Stars of the little Prince, two initiatives I led to support children and women in science. I also served as Vice President of the Atlas Dark Sky Foundation,, working to protect dark skies, and as co-chair of the 4th African Astronomical Society (AfAS2024) Conference, through which I helped strengthen scientific collaboration in Africa.
These stunning observations were captured as part of the Webb MIRI-Consortium GTO program and have been published in A & A
Cover: Vol 383 | Issue 6686 | 1 Mar 2024
Image credit: NASA, ESA, CSA; Data reduction and analysis: PDRs4All ERS Team; Graphical processing: S. Fuenmayor
As a member of the PDRs4All extended core team, I had the privilege of leading and co-authoring groundbreaking research on the Orion Bar within the Orion Nebula. Conducted during the early months of the Webb's operation, these observations have culminated in a series of papers published in Science, Nature Astronomy, and Astronomy & Astrophysics. Our work sheds light on the intricate processes of star and planet formation and the mechanisms that govern dust and molecular evolution in space.
Les étoiles du petit prince
Astronomy for development, outreach and education
The spark that ignited a dream
In 2015, during the early days of my PhD at the Paris Observatory, a chance encounter would change the course of my astronomical journey.
I stumbled upon a group of passionate researchers who had just returned from an inspiring mission in Senegal—the SpaceBus project led by Maram Kairé. Their stories of bringing astronomy to remote communities lit a fire in me. I couldn't help but imagine, "What if I could bring this wonder to the people of my home country Morocco?”
Turning dreams to impact
As my passion for astronomy grew, I saw a unique opportunity—not just to explore the field, but to make it accessible to others. This vision led to the creation of Titritland, the first Moroccan company dedicated to providing astronomical equipment and services. But Titritland is more than just a business; it's a mission. In a country where access to astronomy tools is limited, we've built a platform that brings these resources to everyone.
From organizing stargazging nights and astrophotography workshops to offering astro-tourism experiences, Titritland is not only creating new opportunities but also driving local development.
We believe that the sky is a natural resource that can foster growth and create jobs, especially in remote areas. Through our work, we aim to empower local communities, and position ourselves as the african leader in astro-tourism within the next decade.
Eclipse 2027 in Morocco
Looking ahead to the 2027 eclipse!
If you’d like to join me for this incredible experience, feel free to get in touch.
