Sam Nirenberg has an insatiable curiosity for the unknown. She spent her early years exploring marine life and the ocean environment, while her early passion for space travel was fueled by female astronauts and their commitment to challenging the status quo. She graduated from FIDM’s Visual Communication program where she developed a love for storytelling through visuals, and has over 7 years of experience helping brands communicate through creative and experimental expression.

She is the Co-Founder of To The Moon Citizen, a female-founded collective that believes in breaking down barriers and awakening the individuality within young women. Their community thrives through support for each other and by inspiring the bravery and courage to express oneself artistically. After graduating in 2011 she worked at BeachMint where she created video and photo content across six direct-to-consumer brands. Most recently she worked for Spring, a venture and LVMH-backed mobile marketplace, where she managed over 150 brand partners to support and strategize their mobile commerce strategy.

A West Los Angeles native, she spends her downtime enjoying concerts, playing bass in her family’s band, painting, scouting flea markets for 1970s vintage band tees, and being by the waves in Malibu.

---

In conversation with Sam:

Share your life story in six words:
The Countdown To Liftoff Begins Now.

When was your first brush with science?
The ocean and all that lives within the marine environment.

What’s your current obsession? In other words, what wakes you up every morning?
Researching space missions to learn about all that exists beyond planet earth. Exploring the unknown makes everyday exciting and it makes me appreciate everything that we have right here in front of us even more.

Why do you think bacteria are important?
Bacteria are the ultimate dot connectors—the invisible world of bacteria plays such an important role in every aspect of life: humans, space, plants, animals and so much more! It’s exciting to hear about where the future of Bacteria is heading and how Seed is helping to shift the perspective.

How do you define science?
Science is the pathway to get to know ourselves and so much more.

How do you define health?
To me, health is an everyday choice. The little tiny pieces that lead up to the big picture—from the people you surround yourself with, how much you love and allow yourself to be loved, eating clean and fresh local food that makes you feel good, being nice to people, using clean products that are not harmful to you or the earth, being active and having a sense of community, consistent sleep and taking the best care of yourself that you can.

What are you currently reading / listening to / watching?
Proof of Heaven—an interesting book about a Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife with bacteria starring as the main character in this story.
The return to love—Marianne Williamson an audio book about the power of love and reinforcing that we are all connected.
Magical films that evoke my inner pioneer like E.T. and Harry Potter.

Favorite microbiome-nurturing food?
Cacao.

Scientist, dead or alive, you’d like to have lunch with?
Mae C. Jemison.

Microbiome perturbation you’re trying to give up:
Anxiety.

Best mindgasm fact?
That there may be life on Mars in the future!

Most mindgasmic thing you’ve learned since being involved with Seed?
The process of seeding from mother to baby!

The song you get sh*t done to:
UGK Ft Outkast—International Players Anthem.

One fact most people don’t know about you:
I’ve played bass guitar in my family’s band since I was 12.

Social?
@mantha.rose on Instagram
@Mantha_Rose on Twitter