Let the Journey Begin
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My name is Jessica Esquivel. I’m a particle physicist, a science communicator, and a fierce advocate for marginalized people in STEAM. I’m Black, latine, Queer, and neurodivergent. I’m also a budding author! I’m excited to announce that I’ve secured a book deal with MIT Press!
Why this, why now
I’ve always been vulnerable and unapologetic when sharing my story of becoming a physicist: the good, the bad, and the ugly. But there is only so much I can share in a one-hour keynote. I’m writing this book to peel back the curtain and share more of myself — my upbringing, my coming-out story, and my struggle with mental health — along with the intricacies of particle physics. I’m intertwining my personal life with the science of particle physics because I firmly believe that the person who does the science is just as important as the science itself. I also believe stories by marginalized people in STEAM need to be written. This is going to be a challenging journey. I’m going to relive traumas related to anti-Blackness and racism and re-open wounds: wounds covered in scar tissue and wounds still oozing blood. I’m creating this space — this community — as a healing space. I selfishly am asking ya’ll to join me on this journey, to support and uplift me as we not only delve into the mystical world of the subatomic but also the turbulent thing we call life.
What to expect
I’m honestly not really sure. I’ll be posting every other week, but the topic of these posts could be as random and scattered as the 100 open tabs in my brain. I hope to build a community of subscribers who are eager to hear about the book’s progress, read excerpts, and provide valuable feedback. I’ll probably also talk about the struggle of juggling multiple projects with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. They’ll be days I need to decompress and talk about anything other than the book and may delve into plus-size fashion, makeup, and the parallel journey of prioritizing my self-care. On other days it may focus on my mental health journey and what gems were dropped in therapy. I don’t know where this path is going to lead, but I’m excited to be leaning into the chaos and welcoming ya’ll into my Queer Universe.