Elisa Cullman

The fellowship was a great experience for me this summer! I met people from all over the world and was able to broaden my horizons for future projects in the STEM field. Also, the mentors were very inspiring, and the one-on-one support also helped me a lot to get new ideas and tips for my future. It was such a fulfilling experience to see so many passionate mentors working in STEM, which made me feel very encouraged to continue on my path. Also, the impressions in different directions in STEM from the different mentors helped me to further define my career path and additionally discover more passions of mine. During the various sessions, I was given many tools and techniques on how to turn good projects into reality. What was also very beneficial for me as a European was that I was introduced to many different options for studying at one of the Ivy league universities later on. All in all, the program was a fulfilling experience this summer and I highly recommend it to any student interested in STEM!!

Elisa Cullman is a high school student from Germany with a passion for astrophysics, cosmology, and aerospace engineering. Driven by her love for research, Elisa has collaborated with organizations like the German Aerospace Center and the European Astrobiology Institute. This summer, she conducted research on a volcanic island in Italy, using a spectrometer to analyze soil composition. Previously, Elisa built a satellite station to communicate with a science station in Antarctica operated by AWI, a German research organization.

Beyond her scientific pursuits, Elisa is an active community volunteer and a professional Latin dancer, competing internationally with her team. Her ultimate dream is to become an astronaut. Read on to discover more about Elisa’s journey, her innovative research projects, and how she’s transforming her passion for space into meaningful impact!

Meet Elisa

How did you become interested in STEM? Are there any particular subjects you’re passionate about?

I’d say it all started with my mom. She’s a science teacher and also works in programming and robotics. From my earliest years, she’d bring me to conferences and robotics competitions, so I was introduced to STEM pretty early on. Growing up, I programmed and built robotic systems, even competing internationally in events like RoboCup. That experience really sparked my interest.

Now, my focus has shifted a bit. I’m more interested in physics, especially astrophysics and cosmology, as well as aerospace and space engineering. I’m really drawn to areas like building satellites and rockets—it’s a whole new challenge that I love exploring.

What extracurriculars are you involved in?

On the science side, I’m involved in several research projects and collaborations. For example, I work with organizations like the German Aerospace Center and the European Astrobiology Institute. Through these connections, I’ve been able to participate in research trips and summer schools, which are typically for university students. I’ve been honored to be able to join in as well as the youngest student!

Outside of school, I’m very active in volunteer work, mostly through my church. I’m originally from Germany but now live in Italy, so I organize summer camps and other programs for kids back in Germany when I can. I’m also a professional Latin dancer and have competed internationally with my team.

Your research sounds fascinating! Can you tell us more about the projects you’ve worked on?

This summer, I worked on two different research projects. The first project focused on satellite communication systems using a geostationary satellite. I built my own satellite station, established both a downlink and uplink, and successfully communicated with a science station in Antarctica operated by AWI, a German research organization. It was such a cool experience!

The other research project took place on a volcanic island in Italy. While there, I used a spectrometer to analyze the soil and identify its mineral composition. I learned how to operate the spectrometer, gather accurate measurements, and interpret the results. My two research projects were quite different, but both were incredibly rewarding experiences.

Summer Experience

What was your favorite part of the fellowship this summer?

My favorite part was connecting with other students from around the world who share an interest in STEM. I got to chat with students interested in physics, as well as other STEM fields, and we even discovered shared interests beyond academics. It was exciting because I’d never really had any connections in the U.S. before, and now I know some amazing people living there. Also, studying at a university in the U.S. used to feel very distance or impossible, but now, it feels much closer and achievable. Overall, learning from all the mentors was incredibly inspiring.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned over the summer?

I learned how to take an idea and turn it into a tangible project I can work on outside of school. Isabella’s Fireside Chat was especially inspiring for me, and she helped spark ideas for new projects I could work on. Isabella broke down the process of taking a concept and structuring it step-by-step to create a final product, including key mistakes to watch out for along the way. I became very inspired to look at what might be missing in my daily life and think about how I could develop a solution for it. Now, I’m working to develop an app to share STEM opportunities with students around the world!

Could you tell us more about the app you were inspired to work on?

Sure! I'm working to develop an app that lists STEM opportunities for students. Hearing about the experiences of students from the U.S. made me realize how different things are here in Europe, especially in Germany. We don’t often hear about certain scholarships, programs like this fellowship, or summer schools that are common in the U.S. So, I thought it would be great to have an app that consolidates all these opportunities for high school and university students. The app could include scholarships, summer programs, and internships, with an option to apply directly. It’s something I wish I’d had access to, so I’m excited to work on it!

What advice would you give to future participants of the fellowship?

Isabella really emphasized the importance of just getting started and taking the “first step,” and my advice would be to just follow your dreams and take the first step towards achieving them! Through the fellowship, I learned that people are so willing to help. All the mentors have been so supportive, so don’t be afraid to reach out, get started on projects, and stick to your dreams! In general, everyone I’ve met who works or studies in STEM has been so kind.

Future Aspirations

What are your career aspirations?

Since childhood, I’ve known exactly what I want to do! I plan to study physics, likely with a focus on astrophysics, and then pursue a career in research. Through my research, I hope to collaborate with people all over the world, sharing ideas and exploring new research projects. There’s so much that hasn’t been discovered yet, and I’m excited about being part of that process. But my ultimate dream is to become an astronaut!

Initially, I only envisioned a physics-focused career. Now, I'm also a lot more open to the engineering side, even computer science. During the fellowship, I started realizing how useful and interdisciplinary computer science is, and how it can be applied to other fields of STEM like physics. When I was younger, I did some basic programming, but I drifted away from it. Hearing from mentors who work in programming and computer science during the fellowship rekindled my interest. I realized in physics, computer science skills are essential!

What have you been up to since the fellowship? Are there any projects you’re excited about?

I’m continuing to work on the research where I helped launch the satellite mission! It was an amazing experience, and it was really cool to be one of the only high school students working on the team. We’re currently writing a proposal to get funding for the mission, and I’m excited to see where it will take us.

Also, I’m applying for an opportunity to spend 11 months in West Africa, doing volunteer work with kids. It doesn’t directly relate to my STEM career, but it’s a personal dream of mine, and I’m really looking forward to seeing where that experience leads me!