In this edition of Shine Bytes we interview Sofia Romeiro, winner of the Prémio de Mérito da Huawei para o melhor estudante do Mestrado em Engenharia de Telecomunicações e Informática.

• Tell us a little about yourself and your journey at IST

My name is Sofia Romeiro and I am currently a PhD student in Computer Science and Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, focusing on the areas of computer networks and cybersecurity. I also completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Técnico, both in Telecommunications and Informatics Engineering.

Throughout my time at IST, I developed a growing interest in networks, cybersecurity, and programmable hardware. I completed my first summer internship between the 1st and 2nd years of my Bachelor's degree, something I believe was fundamental to my academic and professional path. During my 2nd year, I also began working at DSI as a scholarship holder, where I remained until the final year of my Master's degree.

I was also a monitor (and later a TA) from the 3rd year of my Bachelor's degree until the completion of my Master's, having had the opportunity to assist laboratory classes for different courses over the course of three years. At the same time, I started collaborating on research projects at INESC-ID from the first year of my Master's degree, an experience that later led to the publication of a scientific paper at a prestigious international conference. In the final year of my Master's degree, I also completed a research internship at Telefónica Research in Barcelona.

At the moment, I am working on a scientific publication based on my Master's thesis.

• What did winning this award mean to you personally?

Receiving the Huawei Merit Award was a very important and special recognition of the work, dedication, and consistency I invested over the last five years. The journey at Técnico is demanding and challenging, and for that reason, I find it extremely rewarding to feel that this effort is valued.

Throughout my degree, I always tried to go a little beyond what was expected, seeking to engage not only in the academic component, but also in research, teaching, and extracurricular projects. In that sense, I feel that this award also represents the result of that ambition and constant desire to evolve and surpass myself.

Moreover, this award also reflects the quality of the people I had the opportunity to work with over these years, namely Professor Nuno Santos (DEI) and Dr. Eduard Marin (Telefónica Research), whose guidance and mentorship had a very significant impact on my path.

• Why are awards like this important?

I believe these awards are important because they value merit in an objective way and recognize the effort and dedication of students. They also serve as motivation to continue investing in scientific and technological fields and to constantly strive for growth, both academically and personally.

At the same time, they help give visibility to the work developed by students and to the different areas of research and innovation at Técnico. I also consider the connection between students, research, and industry to be very important, something that I believe still has significant room for growth and can bring enormous benefits to students’ education.

• In your opinion (aside from awards ;) ), what can and should be done to attract more women to science?

I believe that representation, visibility, and public recognition play a very important role. It is always easier to imagine ourselves in a certain field or position when we see other women working in it, especially in technical and leadership roles that inspire us and show that it is possible to go very far. Learning about the paths these women have taken and finding points we can relate to also helps develop ambition, confidence, and a healthy sense of competitiveness.

At the same time, I think it is important to show that science and engineering are far more diverse, creative, and multidisciplinary fields than they often appear at first glance. Early exposure to technology, research, and hands-on projects can make an enormous difference, as can initiatives focused on sharing experiences and networking, such as the N2Women workshop organized by ACM SIGCOMM, in which I had the opportunity to participate.

Finally, I believe that the mindset with which we face these challenges is equally important. Although there may be additional obstacles for women in technical fields, I think it is essential not to let them limit our ambitions, abilities, or goals. Being aware of these difficulties is important, but we should not allow them to define what we are capable of achieving.

• Do you have any advice for future female students in Computer Science and Engineering at Técnico?

I would tell them not to be afraid of trying different areas and stepping out of their comfort zone. Very often, we discover what we truly enjoy through projects, internships, research, or even courses that we did not initially expect to appreciate.

I would also advise not to place too much importance on what is considered “normal” or expected at a given stage of the degree, especially when you feel capable of going further. In my case, for example, at the end of my first year I was strongly advised against doing an internship. Choosing not to follow that advice ended up having an extremely positive impact on my path and opened several doors later on. It was not a wrong decision, just an uncommon one.

I also think it is important not to be intimidated by the difficulty of the course or by the fact that in some areas there are still fewer women. Técnico is demanding for everyone, and asking for help, collaborating, and learning from others is part of the process. Moreover, this is precisely what makes us more prepared and resilient for the challenges of industry and research. Talk to professors, senior students, and researchers, ask questions, and above all, maintain a strong desire to learn and grow.

And, above all, take advantage of opportunities — because the journey at Técnico can open very interesting doors, both in Portugal and internationally.