Is sexual harassment the reason why women quit science?

July 6, 2016 By 1 Comment

  Is sexual harassment the reason why women quit science? I'm afraid the discouraging press coverage regarding this topic in recent years has brought undue harm to young women who wish to pursue scientific careers. Check out a recent NY Times article regarding "sexual harassment" in science: She Wanted to Do Her Research. He Wanted to Talk ‘Feelings.’ During my time at UCLA, NASA and Stanford, I did not experience nor do I view sexual harassment to be a major issue for “women in science”. Maybe my upbringing in Iran, where I witnessed everyday sexual discrimination, has conditioned me to not pass judgement about “men in science,” which in my case have all been tremendously professional, insightful, and encouraging!   … [Read more...]

Return to NASA

May 25, 2016 By Leave a Comment

  Yesterday, I presented a talk at NASA in celebration of the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The topics covered ranged from showing a hula dance, performed by the Nixon Elementary kindergarten class, to the escape route that my brother, Sean Taba, and I took to get smuggled out of Iran in 1982. I was re-invited by the Asian-American advisory committee at NASA because our story of escaping a dictatorship and finding success in America is one that is shared among many nations. … [Read more...]

Packed House at Palo Alto Books Inc.

February 24, 2016 By Leave a Comment

  Book Talk at Palo Alto Books Inc. on February 16. It was a great event, a packed house and lots of questions. I picked up 18 brand new readers!! Books Inc. did a wonderful job advertising the event to the community. Laughter filled the room as I told the audience about my trip to the White House and the unfortunate Monica Lewinsky scandal that prevented a group of young scientists, including myself, who were there to receive a Presidential Award, to be greeted by the president. Hope to see you at the next Book Talk in SF or Berkeley.   … [Read more...]

THE SKY DETECTIVE – A BOOK CLUB PICK IN THE EAST BAY

February 4, 2016 By 2 Comments

A BOOK CLUB gathering at Sandra's beautiful home in Castro Valley on 2/3/16. Thank you SO much Carol for selecting my book, Sandra for hosting, and to you all for reading "The Sky Detective" and sharing your thoughts with me. Almost everyone requested that I tell the story of my journey once we landed at the LAX airport in July 1982 with nothing other than a 6-month student visa, which is where the narrative ends in "The Sky Detective." Write to me if you are of the same opinion! … [Read more...]

Kirkus names “The Sky Detective” as one of the best books of 2015

January 7, 2016 By Leave a Comment

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/goodreads-giveaway-copies-sky-detective-azadeh-tabazadeh?trk=pulse_spock-articles Read the Kirkus Review at: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/azadeh-tabazadeh/sky-detective/ Enter the Goodreads Giveaway Contest to win a free softcover copy of The Sky Detective: A memoir of how I fled Iran and became a NASA Scientist. https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/enter_choose_address/167690-the-sky-detective-a-memoir Naturally, I am super-excited and wanted to share the news with colleagues, followers and friends. I hope my personal story touches the hearts and minds of those who may wonder about who we (Iranian-Americans) are and what values we stand for. Azadeh Tabazadeh … [Read more...]

Discriminatory Visa Wavier Bill Targets Iranian-Americans

December 11, 2015 By 1 Comment

Written by Azadeh Tabazadeh https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/proposed-visa-wavier-bill-h-r-158-discriminate-other-marked-azadeh?trk=pulse_spock-articles The proposed Visa Wavier Bill (H. R. 158) will discriminate against Iranian-Americans and other “marked” dual-nationals The photo shown depicts a protest in 1979 where a group of Americans were demanding that all Iranians should be deported because of the extreme acts of the newly established government of Iran—more specifically the “Islamic Republic of Iran.” The events that triggered hatred toward Iranians were the seizing of the American embassy in Tehran and taking 52 U.S. diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days. Is it fair or reasonable to punish the citizens of an entire nation for the extreme actions of their irrational governments or extremist groups who … [Read more...]

Booklist assigns a starred rating to “The sky Detective.”

December 2, 2015 By Leave a Comment

The 1979 Iranian Revolution http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Sky-Detective-Azadeh-Tabazadeh/pid=7872413 An award-winning atmospheric scientist recounts her coming-of-age against the backdrop of the Iranian revolution in this engaging, deeply perceptive memoir. Growing up in 1970s Tehran, Tabazadeh was only eight when two unrelated life events made a lasting impact on her: first, Uncle Mahmood gave her a chemistry kit, sparking her lifelong love of science. Shortly thereafter, 11-year-old Najmieh, a village girl from northern Iran, moved in as household help. Their friendship deeply shaped Tabazadeh’s awareness of class and gender differences, eventually ending when Najmieh was shipped back to her village to be married, and Tabazadeh found herself swept up in the tidal forces of the Iranian revolution. The author recounts her … [Read more...]

An ongoing Saga: Refugees from the Middle East

November 28, 2015 By 1 Comment

Written by Azadeh Tabazadeh https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ongoing-saga-refugees-from-middle-east-azadeh-tabazadeh?trk=pulse_spock-articles An Ongoing Saga: Refugees from the Middle East Nov 28, 2015 If you really want to know how innocent families fall victim to retaliating wars and bombings in the Middle East read my story. My family and I had the means to flee Iran 33 years ago in the midst of a raging war and political chaos, but the majority of Iranians, Afghanis, Iraqis and now Syrians don't have the resources to get out. In the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution in Iran only Spain would allow Iranians to enter without a visa. My family and I fled Iran in 1982 and sought refugee in Spain before winning visas to come to the United States. Frankly, I don't know what would have happened to my family and me and thousands … [Read more...]

The Sky Detective – Manhattan Book Review (5 stars)

November 19, 2015 By Leave a Comment

             Macelwane Medal    http://manhattanbookreview.com/book-reviews/the-sky-detective/   In 2001, Azadeh Tabazadeh receives the prestigious Macelwane Medal for her research on polar stratospheric clouds and the causes behind the degradation of the ozone layer. With every great achievement, there is a profound story. In the case of Azadeh, her account goes back to 1973 in Tehran to two life-changing experiences: receiving a chemistry kit from her uncle and developing a close relationship with Najmieh, the family’s housekeeper. Azadeh’s world suddenly turns upside down as her country succumbs to political struggles and calamity strikes her family. When she decides to escape in the hope of making it to America, Azadeh has no idea if she’ll see her family ever again. Azadeh Tabazadeh shares a powerful story of … [Read more...]

The Sky Detective: An Excerpt

November 17, 2015 By Leave a Comment

WORKING MOMS AGAINST GUILT  http://www.workingmomsagainstguilt.com/the-sky-detective/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialWarfare Blog: By Susan Winner Jackson This post is excerpted with permission from a recently published memoir, The Sky Detective, in which working mom Azadeh Tabazadeh recounts her journey of growing up in Iran and fleeing to America. Her first-hand account of life in the Middle East provides a unique insight into political crises in foreign countries and seeks to give inspiration to young women looking to enter male dominated fields of study.  Read an excerpt from The Sky Detective, a memoir in which a NASA award-winning scientist recounts her journey of growing up in Iran and fleeing to America. By Azadeh Tabazadeh Excerpt: Fall turns into winter, snow covers every inch of … [Read more...]

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