Swimsuit

Sarafina El-Badry Nance Stuns and Inspires in These 4 Photos From the Dominican Republic

The astrophysicist and analog astronaut embodied the year’s mantra, ‘Be the change you want to see.’

Martha Zaytoun

Sarafina El-Badry Nance poses in a pink bikini with her hand on her head.

Sarafina El-Badry Nance was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic.

As an American analog astronaut, astrophysicist, cancer previvor and advocate for preventative medicine, Sarafina El-Badry Nance was pretty much the embodiment of the 2022 SI Swimsuit Issue mantra, “Be the change you want to see.” 

She earned her feature in the year’s magazine through the Swim Search, the brand’s annual open casting call. She traveled to the Dominican Republic with photographer Yu Tsai for her photoshoot.

By her own admission at the time, the mantra was something she “strive[s] to do every single day,” she said in an Instagram post at the time. “Growing up, I always thought that scientists had to look a certain way. Einstein, Newton, Bohr, Sagan… when you Google physicists, the overwhelming result is white men. I’ve fought against that my entire life. But—here’s the thing. Anyone can be a scientist—and scientists can be anything, too. Women can be anything; can set our sights and dreams on whatever we like. That is powerful. That’s empowering. That’s the change I’m striving for.”

Her fitting inclusion in the year’s issue was a dream come true for Nance. “So honored, still pinching myself (seriously, ask my friends) that this is real,” she wrote. “Thank you thank you thank you to the entire SI team for believing in me and my story. So proud to be part of this magazine with such extraordinary people.”

Unsurprisingly, she made the most of her opportunity to share her story through her inclusion in the issue and the incredible photos that she posed for. Here are a few of the great photos from the trip.

Sarafina El-Badry Nance lays on the sand in a mint green bikini.

Sarafina Nance was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Indah.

Sarafina El-Badry Nance stands in front of the ocean in a pink bikini set.

Sarafina Nance was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Rapel.

Sarafina El-Badry Nance lays on the sand in a yellow bikini.

Sarafina Nance was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by JMP The Label.

Sarafina El-Badry Nance pushes herself off of the sand in a pink halter neck bikini.

Sarafina Nance was photographed by Yu Tsai in the Dominican Republic. Swimsuit by Indah.

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Martha Zaytoun
MARTHA ZAYTOUN

Martha Zaytoun is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit. Before joining SI Swimsuit in 2023, she worked on the editorial board of the University of Notre Dame’s student magazine and on the editorial team at Chapel Hill, Durham and Chatham Magazines in North Carolina. When not working, Zaytoun loves to watercolor and oil paint, run and water ski. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a huge Fighting Irish fan.

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