Women in Science Day at ESA Academy and the many paths to STEM

Silvana, from Portugal, is a member of the Spin Your Thesis! Team FORTE. She is currently studying radiobiology and together with her team, they investigate the potential of hypergravity to counteract spaceflight-induced delayed wound healing.

“Biology was always something I was very interested in. It has always fascinated me how every little detail comes together through millions of evolutionary steps - and how every observable phenomena has a reason!”

In an alternate Universe, I would be… “an architect or ancient art restorer.”

Rachel, from Ireland, focuses her PhD research on gamma-ray instrumentation development with the aim of detecting the most luminous explosions in the universe, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). She is currently working on one of the Fly Your Satellite! CubeSat projects, EIRSAT-1, characterising the novel gamma-ray detector experiment onboard.

“A STEM career is for anyone with a curious mind and a passion to understand how the world works; never be afraid to ask lots of questions!”

In an alternate Universe I would be… “a zoologist!”

Ioana, from Romania, is part of the Drop Your Thesis! team ACOULING, studying acoustics as an alternative cooling solution for electronic devices in microgravity. She is responsible for the design and development of the project hardware.

“My childhood dream job was to be a flight attendant because it allowed me to travel and be free. During middle school I met an Aerospace Engineer and that encounter made me realise that I could build the plane if I wanted to!”

My favorite hobby as a kid was… “playing outdoors and pretending to make magic potions and perfumes.”

Ilaria, from Switzerland, is a Biomedical Engineer who participated in the Online Human Space Physiology Training Course. She is part of the student-led human spaceflight analog mission Asclepios II, where she ensures crew health and monitors medical operations before, during and after flight.

“When I was young, I wanted to become a space scientist researching galaxies, space travel, planets and solar system. For years, I was convinced that a career in the space sector was not a possibility for me, but then I learned about the field of Space Medicine and began to investigate. Participating in the course reinforced my aspiration to work in medical operations.”

In an alternate Universe I would be… “a captain of a starship, exploring unknown worlds in our galaxy!”

Dumitrita, from Italy, is one of the co-founders of the BEXUS project O-Zone, for ozone monitoring and pollution control. She managed the experiment’s integration, testing and launch phase.

“In my childhood, no one ever told me that some games were for boys and others for girls. I learned from my mum who would solder, make circuits and fix electrical and mechanical machinery.”

In an alternate Universe I would be… “an astronaut athlete to fulfil both my favourite hobby and my dream of someday going into space.”

Mari, from Norway, studies guidance navigation and control of autonomous systems. She attended the Online Ladybird Guide to Spacecraft Communication training course.

“During high school, I decided to go for a 50/50 theoretical and practical path where I also worked as an apprentice. The company I worked at produced parts for Ariane 5, and I also worked closely with industrial robots. All these events made me interested in space and are probably why I eventually ended up studying cybernetics, as well as why I joined a student organization that builds satellites." 

My favorite hobby as a kid was… “to make musicals for my family and perform them in the living room.”

Estelle, from France, studies Aerospace Engineering and Spacecraft Design. She participated in Fly A Rocket! in the sensors experiment team, soldering and testing the sensors that are placed in the rocket.

“I started loving mathematics at school. My father was a role model, engineer during the week, and building his own ULM plane during weekends. He taught me that everything is possible if you are willing to work for it.”

In an alternate Universe I would be… “without hesitation, an astronaut! But in another alternate Universe, I would have pursued a career in languages and interpreting, or book translation.”

We are in awe of the talented women participating in our various hands-on activities and training programmes. Thank you to these students for sharing their stories and demonstrating that there is no one path to a career in science. With focus, determination and support – personal and professional – women and girls can build careers in science.