From the warm shores of the Red Sea to Antarctica’s icebergs

About

Polar explorer Ernest Shackleton famously described the magnetism of Antarctica as being “drawn away from the trodden paths by the 'lure of little voice' the mysterious fascination of the unknown. It gets under your skin like nowhere else on Earth.”

KAUST Professor Paula Moraga is among a trailblazing selection of the emerging science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) researchers selected to participate in Homeward Bound Transform Voyage 2025 to Antarctica.

Science is an ever-evolving field, and as it changes, it is increasingly prioritizing diverse and inclusive leadership. Homeward Bound is a transformational program that embodies this shift by equipping 1,000 women in STEMM to lead, influence and contribute to global policy and decision-making.

Professor Moraga was drawn to Homeward Bound for its mission, which closely aligned with her values. As a passionate advocate for open science and reproducible research, Moraga values this unique opportunity to connect with a globally diverse group of women pioneers in STEMM.

“I am truly excited and honored that Homeward Bound has recognized me as a leader with the potential to make a global impact,” she emphasized. “While the responsibility is great, I am inspired by the opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.”

A once-in-a-lifetime journey to the edge of the Earth

The “Island Sky Voyage” expedition team will depart from the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, on January 28, 2025. The 15-day voyage will sail across the end of the Earth, moving through the Beagle Channel before crossing the famed six-hundred-mile stretch of tumultuous open sea that is the Drake Passage.

While onboard the MS Island Sky, a "faculty" of experts will administer the program while participants attend lectures, workshops, and collaboration sessions focused on strengthening their leadership skills.

Once south of the 60th parallel, the team will use Zodiac boats to sail through Gerlache Strait, famed for its majestic icebergs and humpback whale sightings, scouting potential landing areas.

“Once we set foot on land, we will have the opportunity to have amazing wildlife encounters with species like penguins, seals, and whales while also witnessing the visible impacts of climate change on this fragile ecosystem,” Moraga explained. “Antarctica has experienced the greatest warming on Earth and is therefore central to our understanding of the global impacts of climate change.”

Homeward Bound participants on a leadership voyage to Antarctica, advancing diversity and collaboration in STEMM. © Oli Sansom.

A journey in STEMM

Professor Moraga’s open-source software and educational materials continue to contribute to sustainable health and environmental solutions on a large scale. In her role, she develops innovative statistical methods and computational tools for geospatial data analysis and health surveillance. These methods include analyzing geographical and temporal patterns of diseases, assessing their relationships with potential risk factors, identifying clusters, measuring inequalities, evaluating interventions' impacts, and quickly detecting outbreaks.

As global temperatures increase, diseases sensitive to climate, such as dengue fever and malaria, are expanding into new regions and extending their transmission seasons. In response to this concerning trend—with the support of her Letten Prize—Moraga has been working closely with her students at KAUST and collaborators in Brazil to develop an innovative digital health surveillance system called the Dengue-Tracker.

The system tracks weekly dengue cases and generates forecasts to predict the future burden of dengue. By combining climate, environmental, socio-demographic, and digital data, the researchers' models offer policymakers and communities essential insights into dengue trends, helping them develop more effective responses.

At KAUST, Moraga perceives an institution that promotes global leadership and diversity. Since joining the University, she has felt "highly valued and supported" as a female researcher in STEMM fields.

“While at KAUST, I have had access to resources, autonomy, and encouragement to establish a forward-thinking research group [the Geospatial Statistics and Health Surveillance Lab] that addresses critical global health challenges. The University’s stimulating and collaborative environment is truly inspiring—I am incredibly fortunate to work alongside passionate colleagues in a place that nurtures creativity, drives innovation, and inspires me to reach my full potential.”

“Drawn away from the trodden paths”

Antarctica’s remote and extreme environment promises to test the leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills of the Homeward Bound group in ways that cannot be simulated in another environment. Its stark isolation is set to foster deep introspection, enabling participants to disconnect from daily commitments and fully engage with the program’s reflective elements.

Moraga is eager to apply her research in a relatively underexplored region of the world. The inimitable and breathtaking environment of Antarctica provides an ideal setting for her to foster collaborations and gain inspiration from the next generation of female pioneers in STEMM.

“These inspiring women, representing diverse nationalities, backgrounds, career stages, and a wide range of professions, are united by their commitment to creating a better world. I relish the thought of exchanging ideas and working together to drive positive change, promote equality, and protect our planet for future generations. Together, we can demonstrate a new model of leadership, empowering the next generation to build a more sustainable future,” she concluded.

Inspired by Paula Moraga’s Journey?

At KAUST, we celebrate and support women leading the way in STEMM. If you are inspired by Paula Moraga's Homeward Bound journey, learn more about how you can follow her path through Homeward Bound program here.