Isabella Levine
Undergraduate Student, Aerospace Engineering
What are you are studying/what you are interested in studying and/or researching while at Purdue? If you have done internships or other applicable experiences, feel free to include them here.
I am studying Aerospace Engineering at Purdue with a minor in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Through my first year, I have experienced both the strong academics the school offers and the robust research opportunities available. As a researcher at the Birck Nanotechnology Center, I am part of the Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement (SCALE) project, focusing on the reliability of semiconductors and microelectronics in harsh space environments. I presented my project, "Investigation of High Energy Radiation Effects on Electronic Memory Devices," and was awarded second place in the Engineering poster projects. In the upcoming years at Purdue, I plan to continue my role in SCALE while expanding my research into more Aerospace Engineering topics, such as Astrodynamics. Previously, I interned at NASA three times through the Johnson Space Center and UT Austin, solidifying my interest in a space career. Currently, I am interning at Morgan Stanley as a Technology Analyst, focusing on data visualization for the summer of 2024. In future summers, I aim to apply for more space-related internships to gain further exposure to the field I am passionate about.
What made you want to join the Leading Women Toward Space Careers program?
I discovered the Leading Women Towards Space Careers program while exploring unique opportunities at Purdue for women in engineering. It was immediately clear that this program was an outstanding opportunity, and I knew I had to apply. In a male-dominated field, the women around me have been my greatest inspiration, consistently propelling me beyond the limits I once set for myself. I am driven to be part of a community that prioritizes empowerment. This program offers the unique chance to meet, learn from, and be inspired by other women and non-binary scientists who continue to push boundaries. The opportunity to be in an environment surrounded by such remarkable individuals is an opportunity I cannot wait to be a part of.
What area would you like to work in after graduation? (What career path, interests, opportunities, etc., would you like to accomplish? What field are you interested in?)
After graduation, I aspire to earn a PhD in Astrodynamics or a related field and pursue a research career. I am particularly interested in the intersection of space exploration and artificial intelligence/machine learning and aim to be at the forefront of integrating these tools into the space industry to enhance exploration and discovery.
My ultimate goal is to become an astronaut and experience space firsthand. Until then, I plan to contribute meaningfully to space exploration. I look forward to joining the community of female scientists and astronauts to learn from and support each other in expanding the boundaries of human knowledge and curiosity.
