Celebrating Black History Month: Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford’s Journey from ISEF Finalist to Leader in Obesity Medicine
Black History Month offers an opportunity not only to reflect on the past, but also to honor the legacy and impact of Black scientists, physicians and innovators who are shaping the present. For decades, Black alumni of Society for Science competitions have advanced discovery, expanded access to opportunity and strengthened the communities they serve. This month, we are proud to honor one of those leaders: Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford (ISEF 1995).
Fatima is an obesity medicine physician-scientist, educator and policymaker at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Working at the intersection of medicine, public health, policy and health disparities, she is helping to transform how obesity is understood, treated and addressed at a systemic level.
Her work is vital, as few areas of medicine are as shaped by misunderstanding and stigma as obesity. For Fatima, challenging those misconceptions and the inequities behind them became a mission and a calling. “I was first drawn to medicine through an early fascination with science and the human body,” she explains. “ But I found my true calling when I recognized how profoundly social factors and health inequities shape outcomes, particularly for people living with obesity.”
What is often perceived as an individual medical condition, she emphasizes, is deeply intertwined with access to care, socioeconomic factors and bias in clinical settings and public policy. By reframing obesity as a complex, chronic disease rather than a moral failing, Fatima challenges both the medical community and the public to adopt a more evidence-based and compassionate understanding.
“What continues to excite me today is the opportunity to combine clinical care, research, education and advocacy to challenge outdated narratives and improve health for populations that have long been marginalized,” she says. This integrated approach allows her not only to treat patients, but also to shape policy conversations and train the next generation of clinicians and scientists.
Mentorship has been central to her journey. Fatima speaks with gratitude about those who modeled “excellence paired with humility and service,” particularly mentors who “created opportunities for me when I could not yet see them for myself.” She is also “deeply inspired by Black physicians and scientists who persisted and innovated despite systemic barriers, paving the way for future generations.” Their resilience and brilliance, she notes, are a source of pride and a reminder of the responsibility to widen the path for others.
Her message to students considering careers in STEM is equally direct. “Stay curious and do not be afraid to take up space,” she advises. “STEM careers are rarely linear, and your unique background, questions and lived experiences are assets, not obstacles.” She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship: “Seek mentors, ask for help early and remember that your voice and perspective are needed in shaping the future of science.”
For Fatima, Black History Month is not confined to acknowledgement alone. “Black History Month is both a time of reflection and a call to action,” she says. “It is an opportunity to honor the contributions, resilience and brilliance of Black individuals while recommitting ourselves to advancing equity, representation and justice in our institutions every day of the year.”
By challenging stigmas and reshaping how obesity is treated, Fatima is helping to redefine what equitable medicine looks like. We’re proud to celebrate her efforts, which are building a scientific community that better serves everyone.
