From Code to Connectivity: A PhD Journey into AI, Networks, and Women in ICT

Please share a short biography

I am a PhD researcher at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Thessaly. I hold both a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in the same field, with my postgraduate thesis focused on reinforcement learning for optimizing wireless IoT network performance. My academic and practical experiences span software development, AI, and network engineering. In my work as a researcher, I am contributing to innovative research projects involving the development of data management and sharing solutions aiming to ensure data sovereignty and governance for facilitating data-driven innovation.

Please provide a short overview of your job and its relation to STEM. What is your current job? What is the field about?

As a PhD researcher, I develop and evaluate Data Spaces in the aspect of data sharing mechanisms for ensuring security and sovereignty throughout the exchange of data, utilized for innovation. My work lies at the crossroads of computer science and software engineering. It involves scientific research, coding, simulation, data management and publishing results. This role contributes directly to STEM through innovation, experimentation, and knowledge dissemination in areas critical for the digital future.

Who or what inspired you to follow this career path / start this job?

My fascination with technology began during high school, but it truly took form during my undergraduate studies, particularly after an Erasmus+ experience in Italy. Working in international environments and seeing the impact of real-world research projects motivated me to pursue advanced studies and a research career in engineering.

What does your typical working day look like?

My day usually involves coding in Java, configuring deployment with Docker, running simulations, analyzing results, reading research papers, and writing scientific publications. I also attend meetings with colleagues involved in the projects, where we discuss progress and plan next steps. It’s a balance between deep focus on technical tasks and collaborative teamwork.

Please give an overview of your study path and how you got into this career. If you could start all over again, how you would change the career path? Has there been an educational experience (formal/informal/traineeship/...) that helped you? Did your colleagues follow similar study and career paths?

I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Thessaly in 2020 and 2023 respectively, where I developed a strong foundation in programming and systems design. During my studies, I interned as a software engineer and later worked as a researcher. If I could go back, I would engage even more in open-source and international collaborations early on.

What are the professional & personal key skills needed to do your job?

• Programming: Daily use of Java for implementation of data sharing solutions in Data Spaces. Experienced in Python through AI projects, particularly in reinforcement learning and data analysis.

• Artificial Intelligence: Adapted and applied Deep Q-Learning algorithms to optimize performance in wireless IoT networks, combining reinforcement learning with neural networks for dense device environments.

• Research: Skilled in designing experiments, conducting simulations, and publishing peer-reviewed research. Contributed to international conferences such as IEEE CSCN, EEITE, and IEE Big Data focusing on IoT, deep learning, and secure data exchange.

• Collaboration: Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, contributing to joint projects involving computer scientists, engineers, and data specialists. Experience in both academic and industry-aligned environments.

• Adaptability: Demonstrated flexibility in working across various domains including machine learning, wireless communication, and secure systems. Comfortable adapting to new tools, programming languages, and international research settings.

What types of jobs & industry sectors can you work in, with your skills?

My expertise allows me to contribute both in academia and R&D industry, in sectors varying from food supply chain to biometrics in forensic science and sustainability in data management. The demand for security and sovereignty in data sharing ensures long-term relevance of these skills.

What are the main challenges in your job?

Keeping up to date with rapidly evolving technologies while managing long-term research goals is demanding. Additionally, integrating advanced theory into working prototypes can be challenging but deeply rewarding. As a woman in a STEM field, I also aim to promote gender inclusion and support others entering engineering.

What is your advice to students?

Be curious and persistent. Don’t be discouraged by difficulties—every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Build projects, join hackathons, and explore beyond the classroom. Technical skills matter, but so does the ability to communicate and collaborate.

How can teachers and parents support their students / children?

Encourage your children to ask questions, experiment, and explore different STEM topics. Help them understand that failure is part of learning and expose them to inspiring role models in science and technology. Support hands-on experiences—they are key to building confidence.

Please share any information to your career profile.

1. LinkedIn Profile

2. Researchgate