From medical dreams to telecom breakthroughs: meet Flor

‟ Society should eliminate gender roles. There are no things for men or women—things are just things. ”

Meet Flor, a Mexican telecommunications engineer, who dreamt of becoming a doctor as a teenager – and in a way, she did. Now a PhD researcher at SnT, she’s pioneering the future of connectivity by integrating artificial intelligence into satellite communications. With neuromorphic computing as her tool to slash energy consumption by over 100 times, Flor is solving the complex challenge of keeping us all connected anywhere, anytime, whether you’re flying at 30,000 feet or living in remote areas where terrestrial networks can’t reach.

Relive the conversation – transcript below!

Tell us about your educational background.

I did my bachelor’s and master’s in telecommunications engineering in Mexico, then completed my PhD in Madrid at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, with a visiting period in Bologna, Italy. When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a doctor and take care of people. But I realised my favourite subjects were physics and maths, so engineering became the real option to enjoy my work. It’s funny because now I am a doctor in the academic sense, so a doctor, but a very different kind than I expected as a teenager. 

What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think about your research?

Innovation. I’m working on artificial intelligence integration in satellite communications, which represents a real opportunity to solve connectivity challenges autonomously and smartly. Today, we want to be connected anywhere, anytime, but traffic demand is increasing exponentially while current systems aren’t providing sufficient connectivity, especially in rural areas where terrestrial services can’t reach. 

Can you give us a practical example of your research?

If you’re travelling on an airplane and have internet connection, that’s thanks to non-terrestrial networks orbiting Earth. But it’s very challenging because both the satellite and airplane are moving. One challenging question is how to decide which direction the antennas should point? Artificial intelligence technology can support the process to continuously point these antennas and provide continuous service during hours of travel. 

What’s your biggest technical challenge?

Energy consumption is crucial. AI represents a good opportunity to solve challenges in non-terrestrial network communications, but it consumes a lot of power. We have energy limitations onboard satellites, and for sustainable communication, we must reduce consumption. We’re working with neuromorphic computing technology that can reduce energy consumption more than 100 times compared to traditional systems.

What skills did you develop through research that you can apply to real life? 

I consider myself a curious and creative person, and research gives me opportunities to develop both creativity and curiosity. It was important to choose a career where I could cultivate these qualities while always wanting to know how things work.

‟ One particularly valuable skill research teaches you is how to manage frustration – not always getting the results you expected initially. This skill is also very helpful in other aspects of life. ”

How would you explain your research to a five-year-old?

If I had to explain my research to a kid, I would say that I try to connect everybody – anywhere and anytime.

What’s it like being a woman in telecommunications research?

When I started, I didn’t know many women working in telecommunications engineering. Meeting my supervisor Eva Lagunas was inspiring – she’s influential in the field, but also has family, friends, and life outside work. At my first conference, less than 10% of delegates were women, and I was the only Latin American. It was impactful, creating some insecurity but also motivation to represent my gender and country and collaborate with Latin American universities. 

What could society do to encourage more women to pursue a career in ICT? 

I think society should eliminate gender roles. There are no things for men or women – things are just things. 

What does tech research need more of? 

Creativity is the most underrated skill in research – people think creativity is just for artistic fields, but we need a lot of creativity in research too. 

‟ Research needs more humanity. The idea of creating and developing new things should always include the goal of improving the environment where we’re living. ”

• Hear More From Our Community

Supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund.