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In this exclusive interview, Berbichez shares her thoughts on shaping the STEM conversation to make it more inclusive for women.

Metis Chief Data Scientist
Debbie Berebichez

TNW: Describe the trajectory of your career. How did you get where you are today?

Debbie Berebichez: I grew up in

Mexico City, and I was part of a conservative community that discouraged women from studying STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. I was told that I should probably study something easier and more feminine than physics. My mom told me not to tell boys that I liked math, because I'd have a hard time meeting someone.

When it came time to go to college, I applied to schools to study philosophy, which was a field where I could ask questions that seemed more appropriate for girls. I realized, though, that the more I tried to hide my love of physics and math, the more it threatened to come out. I wanted to know about the universe and how things worked.