Kavitha Paramatmuni

The fellowship was an unforgettable experience. Not only did it provide exposure to many fields in the world of STEM, but the many inspiring speakers involved in the program were such positive and motivating influences for me and all other participants. The program stimulated my interest in science and helped me find my passions and my goals for the future. The speakers were amazing role models- they continue to inspire me to pursue my interest in STEM and develop my passions into something that would make a difference in my community through hard work, dedication, and connecting with others.

Kavitha Paramatmuni is a high school student from Connecticut with a passion for STEM, art, and making a difference in her community. Fascinated by physics, biology, and math, Kavitha enjoys diving into topics like epidemiology through Science Olympiad and problem-solving with her school’s Math Team. She also leads initiatives in her school’s Sierra Club, where she helps with various environmental projects.

Outside of academics, Kavitha enjoys piano, painting, and sketching as creative outlets. Kavitha is also passionate about giving back to her community, and she is currently planning to start a nonprofit to raise money to provide education for underprivileged children in developing countries. Read on to learn more about Kavitha’s interests in STEM, her passion for the arts, and her aspirations to create global impact!

Meet Kavitha

How did you initially become interested in STEM, and what are your favorite subjects?

I’ve been interested in science and math for as long as I can remember. My parents introduced me to these subjects at a young age, and they’ve always been a part of my life. I’ve enjoyed math in school for years, but my interest in science really took off in middle school.

Right now, I’m especially fascinated by physics. This is my first year really diving into it as a junior, and I find it so intriguing. Biology has also been a field I’ve thought about as a potential career since I was little—it’s always captured my curiosity. And of course, math has always been a subject I’ve enjoyed. If I had to pick my top three areas of interest, it would be physics, biology, and math.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I’ve been playing piano since I was little, and it’s something I really enjoy. I’m also part of the Science Club, Sierra Club, and Math Team because I love STEM and wanted to get more involved in those areas after school. Recently, I’ve been considering starting an art club since I enjoy painting, and I think it could be a fun activity to bring into my school community.

In the Science Club, I participate in events like the Biolympiad and Science Olympiad. This year, I’m working on the Disease Detective event, which focuses on epidemiology, and a physics challenge where we design a contraption to drop an object onto an egg without cracking it. On the Math Team, we have monthly competitions, and we spend the rest of our meetings preparing for those. For the Sierra Club, we’re working on a composter event. We compost unused materials, recycle them back into the earth, and observe how it’s benefiting our school garden.

What do you enjoy doing outside of school to relax?

While I’m really passionate about STEM, I also have a deep interest in music and art. I love painting, sketching, and creating whenever I have downtime—it’s a relaxing and fulfilling way to express myself. Piano is another big part of my life. I’ve been playing for a while now, and it’s something I genuinely enjoy. These are my go-to activities for de-stressing or simply having fun whenever I have some free time.

Summer Experience

What was your favorite part of the fellowship?

My favorite part was definitely listening to the speakers on the career panel. Being in high school, it can feel overwhelming to think about all the different career options out there. I wasn’t sure what the best path for me might be, and hearing the speakers share their journeys was really motivating.

What stood out to me was how many of them didn’t start where they thought they would. Some switched to completely different fields over time, which was really reassuring. It showed me that I don’t have to have everything figured out right now—I can explore my options and make decisions as I go. That message really stuck with me and gave me a lot of confidence moving forward.

Did you have a favorite Fireside Chat from the summer?

Yes, Jenny’s Fireside Chat was definitely one of my favorites. I found her story really inspiring. She shared how she was quiet and shy in high school and didn’t really start opening up until later. She used her platform on YouTube to create video games, build a following, and eventually turn her passion for gaming into a career by starting a company. I thought it was so brave how she put herself out there, used her skills, and built a career around something she loved. Her passion for video games was clear, and it really motivated me to think about how I can use my own interests to pursue something meaningful.

I also really enjoyed Isabella’s Fireside Chat, which was the first one of the summer. Since she had just finished high school, she was close to my age and could really relate to the high school experience. It was amazing how she put herself out there in so many ways—from creating a podcast to writing a book. Those are incredible accomplishments for someone in high school, especially since many students feel hesitant to put themselves out there. I found it so inspiring how she built her own platform, made a difference in her community, and didn’t let fear of others’ opinions hold her back.

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

The most valuable lesson I learned was to not be afraid to try new things, put myself out there, and explore different options. Hearing from speakers who started their own clubs, nonprofits, or movements in high school was really inspiring. It showed me that it’s possible to make a difference, even in high school, and it made me realize that in high school, it’s important to know that your opinion and ideas matter. One speaker started a nonprofit, which I thought was especially cool. I realized that you can start your own community or initiative in high school and make real impact.

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

I’d say to fully explore all the different activities the fellowship offers. The mandatory events are a great way to learn about the speakers and their work, but the optional activities like coffee chats, Fireside Chats, and office hours are just as valuable. These give you the chance to connect with the speakers on a more personal level and ask questions you might not have had time for during the main sessions. It's definitely worth putting in the effort to make the most of the experience. For example, I spoke with Jenny during office hours, and I was able to ask her questions I didn’t get to during her talk. I asked her about the inspiration behind the video games she creates, her thought process, and how she balances her work and personal life. It was such a great opportunity to get to know her better, especially since I found her story so interesting.

Future Aspirations

What are your academic and career goals?

In college, I definitely want to pursue something STEM-related. I’m not entirely sure which direction I’ll take yet—I’ve been considering the medical route for a while, but I’m also really interested in fields like physics and psychology. Psychology is something I’ve started thinking about more recently, so it’s still new to me.

Since I have so many interests, I’m even considering doing a double major to explore multiple areas at once. While I’m not completely certain about which specific career in science I want to pursue, I know for sure that I want to continue with STEM.

How did the fellowship influence your career aspirations?

The fellowship really opened my eyes to how flexible career paths can be. Before, I thought that once I started down a certain path—whether it was in healthcare, physics, or something else—I’d have to stick with it forever. The idea of changing directions later on felt impossible. But through the fellowship, I realized that your goals and interests can evolve over time, and it’s okay to adjust your career path to match them.

One moment that really stuck with me was hearing a speaker on the career panel who was a physicist. She shared how she initially wasn’t sure if she wanted to go into physics and actually started out in a completely different field. Eventually, she realized that physics was where her true passion lay and decided to switch. I thought that was so inspiring because it showed me that you don’t have to stay in a field if it no longer excites you—you can change course and pursue what truly interests you.

What have you been up to since the fellowship?

Junior year has been really hectic so far, but I’m hoping to start a new project soon! One idea I’ve been thinking about is starting an art club at my school. Since my school is very science-focused, there isn’t much emphasis on art, and I think introducing a club could help create a better balance between science and creativity.

Another idea I’ve been considering is starting a nonprofit to help raise money for children in other countries who don’t have access to education due to financial reasons or disabilities. Over the summer, I was staying in India. Near my grandparents’ house, there was a girl with mental disabilities who wasn’t going to school. The public schools wouldn’t accept her, and her family couldn’t afford a school that had the resources to support her. She wasn’t receiving any kind of education, and it really struck me how unfair that was. She deserves to learn, just like any other child. Seeing that situation made me realize how many children around the world face similar challenges, and it inspired me to want to create something to help kids like her gain access to the education they deserve. The goal would be to provide resources, such as homeschooling or tutoring, for kids who might otherwise miss out on the opportunity to learn.