Monika BK, an international student from Nepal, made a significant leap from her studies at Pittsburg State University to a prestigious internship at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Graduating in December 2025 with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and minors in Mathematics and Information Systems, she was selected as one of only ten interns worldwide for the Lunar and Planetary Institute Summer Internship Program in Houston.
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At the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Monika conducted research on recent landslides and boulder falls in potential Artemis landing areas on the Moon, under the mentorship of Sabrina N. Martinez from NASA. She utilized her programming and image processing skills while venturing into the field of planetary science.
Monika's internship also allowed her to learn about research related to Mars, Venus, and Europa, while engaging with scientists and astronauts. Her hands-on experience included visiting the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, operating a simulated lunar rover, and exploring spacecraft mock-ups.
Prior to this opportunity, Monika served as a web development contractor at LimeLight Marketing in Pittsburg, where she enhanced her practical skills through various website improvements. She attributes much of her academic and personal growth to her time at Pitt State, expressing gratitude for the support of professors Tim Flood, Bobby Winters, and Jackson Ravindran.
Looking ahead, Monika plans to pursue graduate studies and seeks new challenges that align with her skills and interests. She encourages fellow international students to remain proactive: "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!"