She's long grappled with her two loves, acting and astronomy, spending 11 years acting before getting her Ph. Shields said her acting experience helped her break free of the stereotypes she faced as a woman of color in science. D. program in astrophysics. D. program. D. program.

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Persons: Aomawa Shields, Shields, astrobiologist, Kelly McGillis, Charlotte Blackwood, I'd, didn't, I've, Spitzer, — Organizations: Service, UC Irvine, Blue Angels, Miramar Air Force Base, Diego's La Jolla Playhouse, MIT, Lowell Observatory, Madison, PBS, University of Washington Locations: America, Wall, Silicon, San Diego, Shields, Miramar, Diego's, . Wisconsin, Los Angeles, grad