"Vera Rubin was an extraordinary personality"

Nadine Neumayer, head of the Lise Meitner Research Group ‘Galactic Nuclei’ at the MPI for Astronomy in Heidelberg on the trailblazing U.S. astronomer Vera Rubin, whose findings on dark matter fundamentally reshaped astronomy 

Vera Rubin (1928–2019) was one of the most influential astronomers of the 20th century. Her precise measurements of galaxy rotation rates provided the first solid evidence for the existence of dark matter – that invisible substance that likely makes up around 85 percent of the matter in the universe.

Rubin’s breakthrough in the 1970s laid the foundation for a central field of modern astrophysics. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which opened in 2025, continues her work, mapping dark matter and exploring the sky on a large scale.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Vera Rubin was a staunch advocate for women in science. Despite numerous obstacles in a male-dominated field, she persisted, becoming a role model for generations of women researchers. Her legacy continues not only in cosmology but also in inspiring young scientists worldwide. Here you can find a detailed profile of her life and research.

Nadine Neumayer, what first sparked your interest in astronomy?
Even as a young girl, I was deeply curious about the natural world – especially the universe and the night sky. I grew up in the countryside, where I was fortunate to experience many clear, starry nights and could see the band of our Milky Way stretching across the sky. I often found myself wondering what was out there, where everything comes from, and where it is all going. These are questions that still occupy my mind  today. Thinking about the universe as a whole always fills me with awe – and it reminds me just how precious, and worth protecting, our Earth and all life on it truly are.

What excites you most about your work in science today?
Every day I get to explore new and intriguing questions – many of which are probably on other people’s minds, too.   What excites me most, though, is the teamwork: the discussions with colleagues that spark new ideas and insights. That collaborative exchange brings me great joy and enriches my work.     

Is there a project that is especially close to your heart right now?
Yes, my team and I are currently investigating a very unusual black hole that could offer direct insight into how supermassive black holes form and evolve. Last year, we discovered an intermediate-mass black hole in the globular cluster Omega Centauri, and now we are working on a precise measurement of its mass.

What motivates you during difficult times?

I have a strong inner drive that has often helped me through difficult times. I also have a wonderful family: both my husband and my three daughters always help me to focus on what is important and recharge my batteries.

What fascinates you personally about black holes? What drew you to this field of research?
Supermassive black holes have always held a special fascination for me. They appear to exist in every large galaxy, yet they can only ever be detected indirectly. There is also a striking correlation between a black hole’s mass and that of its host galaxy – a relationship I already found in my Master thesis. Later, I wanted to understand where this close connection comes from: How do black holes end up at the centres of galaxies? How do they form and grow? These questions continue to captivate me to this day.

What do you find particularly inspiring about Vera Rubin?
Vera Rubin was an extraordinary personality who did not let tradition or convention intimidate her, but instead carved her own path with strength and independence, and followed it with determination.   

If you could ask Vera Rubin just one question, what would it be?
I would ask her: “How did you find the strength and clarity to pursue a career in science as a mother of four children.”    

Rubin’s discovery of anomalies in galactic rotation curves helped confirm the existence of dark matter. What impact does her research have on astronomy today?
The quest to understand dark matter – what it is, how it behaves – remains one of the biggest open questions in astronomy and physics. Vera Rubin laid the foundation for this field, and her discoveries continue to shape research today.

Rubin earned her PhD while raising four children – with strong support from her husband, who actively encouraged her scientific work. How important is a supportive environment for women in research, especially when it comes to balancing family and career?
A supportive environment is absolutely essential. If, as a woman, you want to combine a (scientific) career with having a family and children, you need help managing the countless demands of daily life and household responsibilities. Support from a partner is crucial – and you should not hesitate to seek help for the household. I learned this very early on myself, as I had my first daughter while still working on my PhD. I was fortunate to receive one of the first fellowships from the Christiane-Nüsslein-Volhard Foundation. That experience showed me how important it is to carve out time by getting help at home and hiring babysitters. It made a real difference.

In her early career, Vera Rubin often faced scepticism and exclusion – being the only woman at conferences, or even denied access to observatories. Have you ever experienced similar challenges as a woman in science?
Thankfully, things have changed a great deal since Rubin’s time. I have not faced direct discrimination of that kind. We all owe a tremendous debt to pioneers like Vera Rubin, who paved the way for women to be recognised as equals in universities, observatories and PhD programmes today.

STEM fields are still heavily male-dominated. Globally, only about 30% of scientists are women. What do you think causes this imbalance?
That is a question I have often asked myself, since I was always most drawn to STEM subjects. I think part of it comes from the strong influence my father had during my childhood. He often showed me how mechanical things worked and explained them to me. Developing an interest in physics felt completely natural, and I never let other people’s opinions discourage me.

Persistent stereotypes do exist – for example, the belief that girls are naturally better at languages, while boys excel at mathematics. With my own daughters, I have actively worked to counter these biases so they wouldn’t simply absorb them from society or their surroundings. I recently read a study showing that before starting school, boys and girls share the same intuitive sense of numbers. Once they enter school, however, boys tend to outperform girls in mathematics on average. This makes it important to look closely at what changes at that stage: Are societal expectations at play? Or could it be related to how mathematics is taught? I was always motivated when a teacher said, “This might not be for girls.” Many, however, are discouraged by such comments.

What do you think are the most urgent steps we need to take to achieve true equality of opportunity?
Balancing top-level research with family life remains a major challenge. This career involves a great deal of travel, long workdays, and often another zoom call with colleagues in the United States after dinner. All-day childcare before school age is generally pretty well-organised, but once children enter school, things become more difficult. Reliable, high-quality after-school care still is not available everywhere.  

Astronomy is a deeply international field – many major telescopes are located outside Europe, and collaboration often spans the globe. You have worked at research centres in the United States and the United Kingdom. Have you noticed cultural differences in how women in science are treated?

Yes, definitely. The proportion of women in leadership positions in science is significantly higher internationally than it is in Germany. That’s very positive, and the overall attitude and the attitude toward women in science feels far more natural and taken for granted.

To what extent is science, for you, also a matter of perspective, experience and identity?
I consider it a tremendous privilege to call scientific research my profession. Working with international colleagues on big questions is something I am very grateful for. What always strikes me is that, despite our cultural differences, we are all driven by the same sense of wonder. Science constantly demonstrates the power of overcoming boundaries and working together. In fact, many of the world’s major telescopes we use would not exist without international collaboration.

How do you manage to balance the demands of your work with your personal life? Are there any strategies or lessons you would like to pass on – especially to young women in science?

One key lesson I had to learn is that you cannot give 100% everywhere, all the time — and that’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t matter if the house isn’t spotless or if the laundry waits a few extra days. You can always get help with many things. What’s really important is not to feel guilty about it. When I’m at work, I enjoy it and try to get as much done as I can. And when I’m at home with my children, I enjoy that all the more – I set aside thoughts of unfinished projects and tasks, and return to them later. My family, and especially my daughters, taught me quite early on how important it is to take real breaks.

Nadine Neumayer, thank you very much for this interview!