Just months after graduating from Pittsburg State University, Monika BK turned a lifelong fascination with space into an extraordinary research experience.
Monika, an international student from Nepal, graduated from Pitt State in December 2025 with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and minors in Mathematics and Information Systems. This summer, she was selected as one of only 10 interns from around the world to participate in the Lunar and Planetary Institute Summer Internship Program in Houston.
At the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Monika worked under the mentorship of Sabrina N. Martinez from NASA Johnson Space Center, researching recent landslides and boulder falls within Artemis candidate landing areas on the Moon.
Through programming, image processing, and analysis, Monika applied her technical background while stepping into an entirely new field: planetary science.
The experience also gave her the opportunity to learn about research involving Mars, Venus, Europa, and other areas of planetary science, hear from scientists and astronauts, and experience NASA Johnson Space Center facilities firsthand.
She visited the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory where astronauts train underwater, drove a simulated lunar rover, and explored spacecraft mock-ups.
Before this experience, Monika also worked as a web development contractor at LimeLight Marketing in Pittsburg, gaining hands-on professional experience through website updates, features, and improvements.
Monika credits her time at Pitt State with helping her grow both academically and personally. She is especially grateful to Professor Tim Flood, Professor Bobby Winters, and Assistant Professor Jackson Ravindran for their guidance, advice, and support as she pursued opportunities beyond graduation.
Now, she is looking toward her next challenge: graduate school and new opportunities that continue to build on her skills, interests, and experience.
Her advice to current and future international students?
“Keep looking for opportunities and apply, even when you are unsure about your chances. There might be a lot of NOs, but it only takes one YES!”
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