Wanda Diaz Merced
Keynote Speaker: Blind Astrophysicist & Data Sonification Pioneer; Developer of Audio Methods for Stellar Data Analysis; Researcher at Harvard-Smithsonian
-
Travels From:
-
Speaking Fee:
-
Categories:
Wanda Diaz Merced Biography
Dr. Wanda Díaz-Merced is a Puerto Rican astrophysicist, astronomer, and computer scientist known for advancing the use of sonification in astrophysics. After beginning to lose her sight as a teenager due to degenerative diabetic retinopathy, Díaz-Merced completed her undergraduate degree in physics at the University of Puerto Rico. She continued her academic journey by earning a doctorate in computer science from the University of Glasgow, focusing her thesis on the application of audio analysis to astrophysical plasmas.
Díaz-Merced's work in data sonification began during an internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where she collaborated with heliophysicist Robert Candey on xSonify, software that translates signals from astrophysical objects into audio frequency and intensity variations. Her research demonstrated that sonification is a valuable tool for data analysis, enabling both blind and sighted astronomers to detect subtle signals, such as those indicating the presence of a black hole, by combining audio and visual data.
Her career includes positions at the Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian, South African Astronomical Observatory, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, and European Gravitational Observatory in Italy. While at Harvard, Díaz-Merced's sonification research inspired musician and researcher Gerhard Sonnert to create the album "X-Ray Hydra," which features music derived from NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory data. She also collaborated with Harvard astronomer Allyson Bieryla to develop the "LightSound" device, translating light intensity into musical tones to make solar eclipses accessible to blind individuals. Díaz-Merced co-chaired the international conference "Astronomy for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion" at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and has delivered speeches at the United Nations in Vienna and New York advocating for accessible science. She has also addressed the White House Frontiers Conference on inclusive space exploration.
Díaz-Merced has received recognition from organizations such as BBC, which named her among seven influential women in science, and the Royal Society, which recognized her as a role model. She received the Estrella Luike Award for excellence in astronomy, was named a Science Fellow by the American Astronomical Society, and won a Google European Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. She has also been recognized by the Senate of Puerto Rico. Her TED Talk, "How a Blind Astronomer Found a Way to Hear the Stars," is among TED's most-watched astronomy presentations. Díaz-Merced serves as director of the Arecibo C3 STEM Education Center, where she continues to promote inclusive science education, including the development and instruction of multisensory astrophysics and cosmology courses for students with disabilities.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Wanda Diaz Merced and other top speakers and celebrities.
Wanda Diaz Merced Videos
How do I book Wanda Diaz Merced to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Wanda Diaz Merced for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Wanda Diaz Merced, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Wanda Diaz Merced or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Wanda Diaz Merced for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Wanda Diaz Merced, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a virtual event is Below $10,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Wanda Diaz Merced, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Wanda Diaz Merced speak about?
Wanda Diaz Merced is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Disability, Earth Science, Physics, TED, Research & Exploration and Women in Tech.
Where does Wanda Diaz Merced travel from?
Wanda Diaz Merced generally travels from Glasgow, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Wanda Diaz Merced?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Wanda Diaz Merced for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Wanda Diaz Merced for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Wanda Diaz Merced or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Wanda Diaz Merced is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Technology, Disability and Earth Science. The estimated speaking fee range to book Wanda Diaz Merced for virtual events is Below $10,000. Please contact us for live event fees. Wanda Diaz Merced generally travels from Glasgow, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Nadya Mason, Avi Loeb and Max Tegmark. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Wanda Diaz Merced for an upcoming event.
VIDEO
Wanda Diaz Merced Videos
FAQS
-
How do I book Wanda Diaz Merced to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Wanda Diaz Merced for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Wanda Diaz Merced, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Wanda Diaz Merced or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Wanda Diaz Merced for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Wanda Diaz Merced, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a virtual event is Below $10,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Wanda Diaz Merced, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Wanda Diaz Merced speak about?
Wanda Diaz Merced is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Technology, Disability, Earth Science, Physics, TED, Research & Exploration and Women in Tech. -
Where does Wanda Diaz Merced travel from?
Wanda Diaz Merced generally travels from Glasgow, UK and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Wanda Diaz Merced?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Wanda Diaz Merced for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Wanda Diaz Merced for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Wanda Diaz Merced or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOK WANDA DIAZ MERCED
We are happy to assist you with your interest in booking a speaker or celebrity for your event, your organization, and the type of talent you would like to secure, and an agent will be in touch shortly.
Fill out the form below to or call us at 1.855.383.8805 if need immediate assistance.
We respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. Under special circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours.
We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.
Gauge Interest and check availability for appearances, speaking engagements, or corporate events.
Provide you with speaking fee to book Wanda Diaz Merced or other celebrity appearance fees
Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities
Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process
This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
