Genna Duberstein, lead multimedia producer for heliophysics at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, brings art and science together and has been doing commissioned artwork since she was 12 years old. This October, Genna will be speaking at TEDxPeachtree.

Is this your first time speaking at a TEDx event? What are your thoughts on presenting on October 17^th?

Yes, this will be my first TEDx event. I’m very excited and honored to be a part of such an amazing group of speakers.

This year’s theme is “illuminate.” What does “illuminate” mean to you?

To me, illumination means finding a new way of understanding. In the most literal sense, my work with the sun is all about illumination. This is not only because the sun is the ultimate illuminating source, but also because my project invites the viewer to experience our very own star in a new way.

Genna Duberstein

At the end of the day, what is it about your work that keeps you going?

I like that science media is mostly happy news. It’s about how we are solving problems and making the world a better place. I like helping people have access to that.

What is your passion?

I love storytelling. I love doing the research and interviews, and deciding what medium is most appropriate for the story. I enjoy the challenge of synthesizing all of that into something someone else can experience.

What is one place you’ve visited that you’ll never forget?

It’s hard to pick just one place!

The Redwood National Park: It is very humbling to walk among living things that are hundreds of years old and over 300 feet high. When you are surrounded in the center of what appears to be circle of trees, it’s actually one tree with a shared root system underground. If you keep that in mind and look up, it’s like standing in the palm of a giant.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’d love to be bilingual. I enjoy learning languages, and I can stumble through reading in a number of alphabets, but I still only feel in English.

What is your motto?

“If not now, when?”