Q&A with Dr. Mohamed Noor

May 21, 2026

I’ve loved Star Trek since I was a child in the late 1970s. Back then, it wasn’t just a TV show—it was a bridge. Talking about episodes, characters, and big ideas helped me connect with other kids, and sometimes even with teachers and, later, professors. 

In the past decade, it’s taken on an even deeper role in my life. I use Star Trek as a gateway to teach science to students and the public. The stories give us a shared narrative and common framework, which makes complex ideas more accessible—and a lot more fun. Star Trek doesn’t just imagine the future; it helps us explore and understand the science shaping our own.

I was about eight years old when I first encountered Star Trek, watching the original series episode “For the World Is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky” at a friend’s house. I was completely captivated. 

The idea that an entire civilization could be living inside an asteroid—without knowing it—and building a belief system around a machine that controlled their reality just blew my mind. It wasn’t just a clever science-fiction twist; it raised big questions about science, ethics, faith, and power. 

Even at eight, I knew this was storytelling on a different level. I was enraptured from the very beginning. 

It really is like choosing among your children! But if I have to pick, Star Trek: Discovery holds a special place in my heart. 

It was the first series where I served as an official technical adviser. Dr. Erin Macdonald and I joined at the same time, and our first project together was developing the science behind “the Burn.” Helping shape the scientific foundation of a season-wide storyline was exhilarating. Working with Dr. Erin, the writers, the showrunner, and the entire team was an absolute joy. Being part of the creative process—contributing real science to the Star Trek universe I’ve loved since childhood—was a full-circle moment I’ll always treasure. 

The highlight of every cruise I’ve had the honor to attend is connecting with fellow fans—especially diving into conversations about science, both within the Star Trek universe and beyond it. Those discussions are always thoughtful, surprising, and a lot of fun. 

This sailing feels extra special because it marks the 10th anniversary of Star Trek: Discovery. I’m thrilled that Jason Isaacs, Mary Wiseman, Wilson Cruz, and Mary Chieffo will be aboard to celebrate. And as someone who has loved Grand Cayman, I’m especially excited that it’s one of our stops. 

Great science, great conversations, milestone celebrations, and beautiful destinations—it’s going to be an unforgettable voyage!