Dr. Jose Moret: Pioneering Diversity in STEM Through Media

Phillip Lanos Podcast

Dr. Jose Moret, known as the "first intergalactic doctor," discusses his journey from traditional medicine to leading Ad Astra Steam Media, a platform aimed at increasing diversity in STEM through engaging educational content. Born in Puerto Rico and raised with a strong entrepreneurial family background, Moret's mission is driven by the lack of representation he observed in science and technology fields. He tackles key challenges like the underrepresentation of diverse groups in STEM, which perpetuates systemic inequalities. His work focuses on creating media that inspires underrepresented communities from a young age, aiming to cultivate future scientists, engineers, and innovators. Dr. Moret emphasizes the importance of seeing oneself in STEM roles to foster aspiration and career pursuit, highlighting how this can lead to broader socioeconomic benefits and tackle issues like biased AI development.

Critical Ideas and Insights:

- Diversity in STEM: Addressing the significant underrepresentation of minorities, women, and other diverse groups in STEM, which affects innovation and perpetuates economic disparities.

- Media's Role in Inspiration: Utilizing media to provide role models and stories that reflect diverse communities, thereby encouraging young people to pursue STEM careers.

- Systemic Impact: The cycle of poverty and lack of access to opportunities in underserved communities can be broken by promoting STEM education and careers.

- From Anecdote to Action: Moret's personal experience of being a minority in STEM fields spurred him to create Ad Astra to change the narrative and landscape of STEM.

- Bias in Technology: Highlighting how lack of diversity in tech development leads to biased AI, using examples like facial recognition software, and stressing the need for diverse teams to prevent such issues.

- Long-term Vision: Understanding that systemic change in STEM representation will take decades, hence the focus on early education and continuous engagement through media.

- Community and Legacy: Emphasizing the cultural and familial drive in Latino communities to succeed, and how Ad Astra aims to build on this legacy for future generations.