Elina Militello Asp – From Astronomy to Particle Physics and then Fusion: It’s never too late to change track!

This is STEMAZING

In this episode you’ll hear from Elina Militello Asp, Transport and Scenario Modelling Group Leader at UK Atomic Energy Authority. From her earliest days in a rural Swedish village to leading a team at the forefront of nuclear innovation, Elina’s journey is fuelled by a passion for science and inspired by the many strong female role models in her family (her grandmother was one of the first female pharmacists!).
Elina reveals how her first foray into STEM saw her want to become an Astronomer. It was only after she began training that she realised that wasn’t the right course for her. Elina demonstrates how it’s never too late to change direction or choose the specialise in something new. She chose to pivot to particle physics and took a summer student-ship at CERN. Then it was the discovery of fusion plasma physics as an abundant energy source hat really ignited Elina’s passion for STEM. ‘Don't be afraid to change track’, Elina says.
Elina felt she lacked support in the early days and only completed the course through sheer determination on her part. From then on, she vowed to carefully choose her bosses in the future. She also reveals how she made the transition into leadership at the UKAEA. Through her experiences, she champions the importance of mentorship and personal development, offering insights into how these tools have shaped her leadership style and bolstered her confidence.
To learn more about STEMazing, and this week’s guest, head to https://www.stemazing.co.uk/podcast