The IAU Women in Astronomy Working Group is pleased to announce that Dr. Duília de Mello, a Brazilian astronomer and full professor of Physics at the Catholic University of America, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Award Medal (2024 - 2025).
The Medal recognises outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and impact in advancing gender equity and inclusion in astronomy - especially in resource-constrained or under-resourced conditions. The award acknowledges leadership, advocacy for women in astronomy, mentorship, and sustained efforts to foster equity, inclusive hiring and funding practices, and supportive academic environments. It designates the awardee as a role model, an ambassador for change whose efforts embody the long-term vision of the IAU to promote a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive global scientific community.
Following a global call for nominations in 2024 and a rigorous evaluation of highly qualified candidates, Dr. Duília de Mello’s long-standing dedication to mentoring, advocacy for gender balance, and her global influence in promoting women in astronomy distinguished her as the first awardee of this Medal. The IAU is deeply grateful for her contributions, which embody the spirit and mission of the Executive Committee’s Women in Astronomy Working Group: to advance equal opportunities and support an equitable astronomical community globally.
Mamta Pommier, chair of the IAU Women in Astronomy Working Group says:
“Gender equity in STEM is foundational to the sustainability, credibility, and global excellence of research systems. This award recognises leadership that implements values into measurable institutional actions. The IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition Award aligns with international policy frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Innovation), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Justice & strong institutions) as well as UNESCO’s mandate to advance science as a public good.”
In addition, the Working Group also announced the awardees of the 2024–2025 STEM Ambassador Recognition Award that recognises exceptional individuals whose sustained efforts in engagement, recruitment, retention, support, and advocacy for anti-harassment policies have made a significant contribution to advancing gender equity in astronomy.
All awardees will be honoured with IAU STEM Ambassador Recognition certificates.
About the Medallist
Dr. Duilia F. de Mello is Vice Provost for Global Strategies at The Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington D.C., USA. She joined CUA in 2003 as a research associate at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and became a faculty member in Physics in 2008. An extragalactic astrophysicist, she has made pioneering contributions to the field, including the discovery of Supernova 1997D, the identification of stellar nurseries outside colliding galaxies, and her role on the teams that produced some of the deepest images of the universe with the Hubble Space Telescope.
A native of Brazil, she completed her Ph.D. at the University of São Paulo following earlier training at the University of Alabama, the National Institute for Space Research, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, later expanding her research experience through a postdoctoral fellowship in Chile, an international trajectory that shaped her global career in astrophysics.
A long-time advocate for gender equity in science, Dr. de Mello’s commitment began early. In 1999 she joined a gender-balance program in Sweden, conducting research at Chalmers University of Technology and Onsala Space Observatory, an experience that shaped her understanding of the barriers facing women in STEM and the need for institutional change.
She later became the first woman promoted to full professor of Physics at CUA, a milestone she transformed into a platform for leadership, mentorship, and systemic advocacy. Her mentorship of women in science is widely recognized, and her book Vivendo com as Estrelas (Living with Stars) has become a touchstone for many young Brazilian women who cite it as an early inspiration to pursue STEM fields.
Her signature initiative, Mulher das Estrelas (Woman of the Stars), embodies this mission. Combining science communication, storytelling, and empowerment, the project inspires girls and young women, especially those from underserved communities, to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and global leaders. Through public talks, school visits, media engagement, and community partnerships across the Americas, she uses astronomy as a gateway to build confidence, nurture curiosity, and promote gender balance in STEM.
Across her scientific and leadership roles, Dr. de Mello continues to champion a more inclusive scientific community, grounded in the belief that expanding opportunities for women strengthens both science and society.
About the Awardees
Category 1: Inclusive Policy-making / Hiring strategies for gender balance in astronomy
Category 2: Non-permanent Member with advocacy for gender balance
through regular awareness, funding, and training initiatives
Category 3: Minority Representative advocating for gender balance through regular awareness and training initiatives
Category 4: Male and Other gender balance advocates leading/supporting efforts against gender-based harassment
Category 5: Advocacy through Outreach and actively engaged in gender-balance initiatives, awareness programs, supporting careers of women researchers