By Ramona Barajas-Villar
Women’s History Month: Recognizing some of our intern leaders
At NASA we celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing some of our interns and their contributions to NASA. Meet the Roy sisters: Puja & Pratima.
Puja Roy
Puja Roy is an intern at NASA Glenn Research Center and a sophomore at New York City College of Technology majoring in Computer Engineering Technology shares her NASA internship journey.
Tell us about your intern journey to NASA or anything you would like to share.
I have been interning remotely at NASA Glenn Research Center since Fall 2020 and I am proud of my accomplishments because working for NASA on a STEM project is the most rewarding experience ever!
What is your role on your current project?
I am a Software Engineer Co-op Intern at NASA Glenn Research Center.
How does your project tie into the Moon To Mars mission? The Artemis program? Any other NASA mission?
I am currently working on the same project “Converting Java Applets to JavaScript for web-based Aeronautics Simulations” which I have been working on during Fall 2020. This STEM project ties into the Moon to Mars mission and the Artemis program because it is an extensively popular site that receives high traffic views and consists of lesson plans, projects and interactive simulations to explore the theory and practice of flight in space.
How are you staying connected to other interns? NASA employees?
I am staying connected to NASA employees and other interns by attending weekly meetings in Microsoft Teams.
What student organization (school, community, etc.) has helped you develop professionally in your STEM/non-STEM journey?
CUNY New York College of Technology and the clubs/organizations that I am affiliated with has helped me develop professionally in my STEM journey by providing me resources and endless opportunities.
How do you feel interning during #CountdownToMars?!
I feel electrified and elated interning during #CountdowntoMars!
Provide a quote about how you feel about your role at NASA.
I feel thrilled and welcomed at NASA of working as a Software Engineer (OSTEM) Co-op intern because I have achieved many accomplishments by contributing to NASA missions, completing online SATERN trainings and gaining support and guidance from my mentors.
Pratima Roy
Pratima Roy, an intern at NASA Glenn Research Center and a senior at New York City College of Technology majoring in Computer Engineering Technology. Roy shares her experiences of interning at NASA.
Tell us about your intern journey to NASA or anything you would like to share.
I truly believe that God and the support of my family has given me the opportunity to intern at NASA. God observes everything we do and what we want in our lives and a dream can actually come true!
What is your role on your current project?
I am a Computer Engineering Student studying at CUNY New York City College of Technology. I am enjoying and working very hard on the PeTaL project here at NASA Glenn Research Center.
How does your project tie into the Moon To Mars mission? The Artemis program? Any other NASA mission?
My project ties into the Moon to Mars mission because I am learning about Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Biomimicry and AWS Web services. Our work can tie into this by having Robots or tasks completed at Moon to gather data and labeling. I know that when the Astronauts go to the Moon, they will need many data collection and research from Moon to Earth. This made me think about how my project ties into this because when going to the Moon we will need information from Moon and other planets. Then we can have that information on Earth. The Scientists and Researchers can work on implementing more strategies and devices to gather and collect in order to reach Mars safely and smoothly.
How are you staying connected to other interns? NASA employees?
I am connected with NASA employees and other interns through Microsoft Teams and Slack.
What student organization (school, community, etc.) has helped you develop professionally in your STEM/non-STEM journey?
WiTNY and Rewriting the Code has helped me develop professionally in my STEM journey.
How do you feel interning during #CountdownToMars?!
I feel so blessed and excited to intern during the Count down to Mars because I am able to learn and be part of an amazing government agency-wide organization to contribute my work with NASA interns and employees.