Dr. Moiya McTier is a science communicator and folklorist who was the first Black woman to graduate with a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Columbia University. In addition to her four Ivy League degrees, Dr. McTier is a published author, host of the podcast Pale Blue Pod and PBS’s Fate & Fabled, and a spokesperson with the Human Artistry Campaign. IndyKids spoke with Dr. McTier in July 2025.
IK: How did you get interested in astronomy and mythology?
MM: I loved reading fantasy books as a kid. I loved reading about Greek and Egyptian mythology and dragons and fairytales. But when I got to college, my mom really wanted me to be a scientist, and a friend dragged me along to an astronomy class, and the professor said we would get free pizza. So I signed up for free pizza, and then I devoted 10 years of my life to astrophysics research. I cried a lot because I really didn’t like it enough to do it for 10 years. I do think it’s intellectually interesting, and I think that it’s important to be able to share that information with others, so that’s why I do science communication, and why I don’t do research anymore.
IK: Why did you go into science communication?
MM: I chose to go into science communication because I really enjoy it and because I think I’m naturally better at it than I ever was at doing scientific research. I would much rather read and hear about what other scientists have discovered already, and then do the hard work of trying to translate that into language that people who aren’t scientists can understand.
IK: You grew up in rural Pennsylvania and now live in New York City. Looking back from where you are now, how do you feel about your past and your upbringing?
MM: I wouldn’t change anything. I was really angry to be living in the log cabin when I was there. Being a teenage girl without running water in the middle of the woods is not always fun. But looking back, I know it gave me valuable experiences—I was 8 years old chopping wood with an ax. And it gave me an appreciation for nature and an appreciation for the things that a lot of people take for granted. Like, I’m never going to take running water for granted ever again.
But I recognize that at many points throughout my path, I was quite upset, which is a lesson, right? That in order to get to where we want to be, you’re probably going to have to get uncomfortable and work through a lot of hardships and stay on a path that you question a lot. Like, there were so many times when I thought about dropping out of school or quitting the freelance science communication and getting a 9-to-5 job in an office. There were so many times I doubted myself, and I’m sure I will doubt myself again. But you just have to push through it.
IK: What inspired you to get involved with the Human Artistry Campaign?
MM: They reached out to me. But I had been hearing about generative AI in the news a lot. I had friends who were teachers, and my mom is a teacher, and they talked about students using ChatGPT in their classes. I saw the news stories about celebrities having their voices cloned by generative AI, and I was concerned. So when the campaign reached out to me, I was thrilled. I said, “Absolutely, yes, I’ll do whatever I can to help you,” because I value art so much, and I value human creativity so much. I’m literally writing a book about it right now. And when I look at how generative AI is being used, it’s scary. We’ve seen studies that it is actually changing people’s brains. People who use ChatGPT a lot have fewer brain connections—they are losing them. We’re losing what makes us human and what separates us from other animals, which is our ability to think and have these beautiful imaginations.
And I’m concerned about artists. Artists are having their work stolen, and they’re having their careers threatened. So when I got the opportunity to help push back against that, it was a no-brainer.
IK: What skill do you find yourself using most with your role in the Human Artistry Campaign and as a science communicator?
MM: Empathy. The reason the campaign hired me is because they wanted someone who understands the technical side and the creativity side. They wanted someone with that knowledge, and they wanted someone who could talk to a bunch of different groups. They wanted someone who could talk to artists, who could talk to politicians, who could talk to the AI developers and understand their side of things, so that we could all have a conversation with each other.
I am the translator between these different groups that are interested in AI, and to translate effectively, I have to put myself in their shoes. I have to imagine, “Why do the AI developers really believe that what they’re doing is OK? And why do the artists really feel like generative AI is threatening their careers? Why do the politicians not understand what’s going on?” I have to really understand their side of things before I can explain something, and that’s what’s going to make the most effective, persuasive argument.
IK: What advice would you give to young people in terms of following your dreams?
MM: Just be more creative. I’d say now is a time when it’s more possible than ever for people to create careers. And that’s not me saying, like, “Everyone, go be an influencer.” That’s me saying, “Everyone, follow your passion and learn stuff that you think is interesting, and then imagine cool ways to apply that to the world around you.”
