This week on Womanity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka speaks with Professor Catherine Cress who is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her work spans the vast, invisible structures of the universe.

Understanding how things work

From the outset, Prof Cress reframes astronomy not as distant stargazing, but as a powerful laboratory for understanding the fundamental laws of reality. Her journey begins with a simple but profound curiosity: how does everything work? This curiosity led her from theoretical physics into astronomy, where the universe itself becomes the ultimate testing ground for ideas that cannot be replicated on Earth.

Education in all forms

Prof Cress has studied at institutions in South Africa, USA, and Germany, and reflects candidly on the role of education, not just formal institutions, but the importance of structured learning, discipline, and intellectual community. While acknowledging that today’s digital world offers unprecedented access to knowledge, she highlights a critical truth: learning in isolation is possible, but rarely optimal. Prof Cress makes a compelling case for the transferable skills gained from studying astronomy, positioning it as the “original data science.” She highlights how skills developed in astronomy, such as big data analysis, AI, computational modelling, translate directly into industries from retail to healthcare.

Women’s roles in astronomy

A particularly compelling thread in the interview is the role of inspiration and representation. Drawing on figures like Marie Curie and Vera Rubin, Prof Cress reveals how reading and understanding “imaginary mentors” shaped her resilience. She also uncovers the often-overlooked contributions of early female astronomers, women who, despite being sidelined as “computers,” made foundational discoveries that still underpin modern science.

Prof Cress notes significant progress has been made for female representation in astronomy, while acknowledging that adjacent fields like physics and supercomputing still lag behind. She also addresses the need for scientists in Africa to believe in their own unique contributions to scientific discovery and pursue their research streams.

She shares some of her research into dark matter. Using vivid analogies, she explains how astronomers “look back in time” using light that has travelled billions of years, compressing cosmic history into a scale that reveals just how fleeting human existence is. For example, if the age of the universe was compressed into one year, then all of human history would sit in the last 21 seconds of the year.

We explore South Africa’s growing role in global astronomy through projects like MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array. Prof Cress frames these not just as scientific achievements, but as catalysts for African collaboration, talent development, and intellectual sovereignty.

Success enablers

On a personal level, Prof Cress speaks about the support structures that enabled her career, particularly the role of her husband as a primary caregiver, challenging traditional gender norms and offering practical advice to young women navigating similar paths.

The interview closes on a note of empowerment. Prof Cress shares a powerful message: don’t underestimate yourself. Whether in science or beyond, she encourages women to claim space, seek support, and pursue their curiosity with confidence.

Tune in for more…