- Human Dynamics
PhD 2000
Director of Research in Data Science and Chief Scientific Advisor, Vodafone
Chief Data Scientist, DataPop Alliance
After the Media Lab, Nuria joined Microsoft Research in Redmond and worked there as a researcher for over 7 years. At the end of 2007, she was offered the opportunity to return to her home country (Spain) to create and lead a research team and help create the Research organization at Telefonica R&D. Nuria was the first Scientific Director hired at the company. After more than 8 years in that role, she joined DataPop Alliance as Chief Data Scientist and, at the beginning of 2017, she joined Vodafone as their first Director of Research in Data Science.
Nuria's role is threefold: (1) She is responsible for defining and developing the research agenda in Data Science at Vodafone; (2) She is also responsible for establishing relevant collaborations with academic institutions and (3) She contributes to enhance Vodafone's external visibility through keynote talks at scientific and technology conferences.
Nuria has carried out to date a successful research career in industry, both in the US and in Europe. She has continued publishing in scientific conferences and she is also a named inventor in 40 filed/granted patents.
How did your experience at the Lab influence your next step?
My years at the lab were incredibly enriching. It was my first real research experience. I loved the multi-disciplinary nature of the lab, the constant stimulation through projects, demos, talks, events, etc... I not only grew a lot professionally but also had the opportunity to meet incredibly talented people, many of them I consider my friends today.
Make the best of your time at MAS and MIT. Focus on your work, but also be curious to learn about what others are doing. I am a extremely curious person and the lab offered me daily opportunities to learn new things, meet new people and have new experiences.