#WebbTelescopeWomen Sarah Kendrew

Sarah Kendrew, ESA scientist for Webb’s MIRI instrument

What is your role in Webb?

I make sure we will get the best possible science from Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument, MIRI, and that astronomers round the world have access to all the information and help they need to explore the Universe with Webb and MIRI.

Why are you excited about Webb?

It's been a long road to launch. I've worked on Webb and MIRI most of my career, so I can't *not* be excited. I can't wait to see our first on-sky data, and learning new things about the Universe through MIRI's eyes. It's also been amazing to see the excitement in the astronomy community around the world, and I'm really looking forward to finding out what Webb will be observing and discovering in its first cycles after launch.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I have always worked on "future instrumentation" for astronomy; big, long-term international collaborations. For Webb it's been over 10 years; most of my career! Now that we're close to launch, every milestone we pass feels like a pretty big deal. I expect a successful launch to be a major highlight! A ground-based instrument I helped build earlier in my career, GRAVITY at the European Southern Observatory’s Paranal Observatory in Chile, is now producing Nobel-prize winning science– that is very special – and several more of my past projects will be coming online in the next five years.

Did you have a mentor during your career, and if so, how did they inspire you?

The world of research can be quite competitive and cut-throat, even though we all need to work together to make progress. The people I admire the most are those who produce top science while staying humble, and are kind and generous to others; those are the values I try to live by in my work as well. I like working with scientists who aren't afraid to ask hard questions and do things differently. Our MIRI team has many such smart and kind people, and it's one of the reasons I've been very happy to stay with the project for so long.

What advice could you offer to young people thinking of pursuing a career in STEM?

There are many ways to be a scientist – find out what you love and don't be afraid to be different, or have different ideas. Science is an adventure, so always keep exploring.

The 2021 International Women’s Day theme is “Choose to Challenge”. What are the biggest challenges you’ve fought to overcome in your career?

Research can be slow, challenging, and it doesn't always go to plan. Rejections and setbacks are all part of the process. One of the biggest challenges is to stay strong, and to keep believing in myself and in my work even when things aren't going so well. Staying rigorous, but being open to new ideas; following a plan, but be prepared to throw it away and start over if it doesn't work.