Kristina Gatto

Kristina is only 23 years old but she seems to have had enough experience for 20 more years. She just completed her bachelors degree in Astrophysics and she is particularly interested in exoplanets and cosmology. She has conducted 4 research projects, she worked as a science policy intern at the American Physical Society and she connects with astronomers all around the world through a network on discord she created. Not only that, she also founded and was president of her college’s astronomy club and she was secretary for the physics club. Passionate about being able to connect with people in her field, she felt compelled to create an online environment to make that connection more accessible in order to inspire the next generation of scientists, especially young girls and women into the STEM field.

What first sparked your interest in science and what motivated you to pursue a career in STEM?

My grandfather definitely sparked an interest in science in me as a little kid. He was a fighter jet mechanic in the air force and I grew up watching the science channel with him regularly. My mom would also occasionally take me to our local observatory for stargazing nights and I fell in love with telescopes. I went again to the local observatory in high school before college applications began and recall telling my mom “This is what I want to study for the rest of my life”, it just clicked for me that night. Having access to science media and experiences growing up absolutely helped that passion grow. When I got to college, the opportunity to study astrophysics presented itself and I saw it as a sign from the universe to take the chance, so I did and it was the best chance I ever took! I had the most incredible 4 years and had so many amazing experiences and opportunities that I’m so grateful for! After graduating with my astrophysics bachelor's degree I knew I wanted to pursue higher education because I fell in love with research and having the ability to share science with such diverse audiences, so I’m currently in the process of applying to graduate schools!

You have had lots of experience in the field and you’re focused on your career path, but do you ever wish you went a different path or is there something else you think about sometimes?

Honestly, not at all! I don’t regret my choice for a second and even though I’ve experienced challenges and setbacks along the journey, it’s all been worth it because I love what I’m studying and I love having the ability to share it with people! I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, truly!

Having worked on so many research projects, I’m sure you’re proud of each one of them, but is there a specific one which keeps you up at night because “oh my god, I did that”?

YES!! I did a research program (REU) at the University of Texas at Austin in the summer of 2023 and towards the end of the summer I ended up finding a black hole in the dataset I was working with and I was ecstatic! With that said, I also am extremely proud of the first project I ever did because I, not only conducted a full project on my own, but I also took the liberty to plan a trip to a conference to go present it, a major full circle moment for me!!

Space is a fascinating topic, I believe everyone loves to “solve” the mysteries of the universe, but most of us can only speculate. As an astrophysicist, what are some of the big questions that you hope to see solved in your lifetime?

After working on a cosmology research project, I found myself super interested and excited about the hubble constant! It’s essentially the rate at which the universe is expanding and astronomers are super close to finding out the exact value of this constant so it would be awesome to see that “solved” in my lifetime.

Sci-Fi is among the most enjoyed genres and most of it is focused on space exploration. Do you like science fiction novels/movies and do they inspire you or, as a scientist, you find them absurd and improbable?

Personally I love space movies, with my favorite being (very cliche-ly) Interstellar and every time I watch it I definitely get reminded why I love studying astronomy. Additionally, I actually am not that into science fiction novels as much as I am into non-fiction! I have recently really taken a liking to the author Carlo Rovelli, who writes physics and astronomy books based on his own research! I don’t often have time to sit and read for leisure so when I do, I like being able to learn something new!

You clearly are an inspiration for young girls around the world with your impact online but also in school clubs. What would you say to those who wish to pursue STEM but feel like it’s too hard for them?

Challenge yourself, even when it’s hard, you might just prove yourself wrong! You’re capable of more than you can imagine. Embrace every opportunity, even if you feel scared or unprepared, because it’s better to take the risk than to live with the regret of wondering “what if”.

And one last question, you’re probably tired of this one because I think this is the most asked question to anyone who studies something space related… So, do you believe in aliens? I mean, not little grey men with big eyes, but extraterrestrial life forms. 

YUPP. Ever since I started studying astronomy I’ve been WAITING for a scientific press release sharing the discovery of some kind of microbial life form found somewhere in our solar system! Plus, I don’t doubt the existence of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe!