Biography:
Nuria Oliver is a renowned computer scientist who has made significant contributions to the field through her groundbreaking research and leadership roles in various institutions. She has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of human behavior through computational models, human-computer interaction, mobile computing, and big data for social good.
Born and raised in Spain, Nuria graduated with a degree in Telecommunications Engineering from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid in 1994. Her exceptional academic achievements were recognized early on when she was awarded the Spanish First National Prize of Telecommunication Engineers in the same year. Eager to pursue her passion for research and technology, she was granted a prestigious La Caixa fellowship to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
At MIT, Nuria delved into the field of perceptual intelligence and earned her Ph.D. from the Media Lab. Her doctoral work focused on developing innovative approaches to understand and model human behavior through computational methods. This research laid the foundation for her future achievements and established her as a leading figure in the field.
In 2000, Nuria joined Microsoft Research in Redmond, USA, as a Researcher in the area of human-computer interfaces. During her seven-year tenure at Microsoft, she made significant contributions to the field by exploring novel ways to enhance user experiences and interaction with technology. Her expertise and passion for the intersection of technology and human behavior were evident in her work, which helped shape the future of user interface design.
Following her time at Microsoft, Nuria returned to Spain in 2007 to join Telefonica R&D in Barcelona as the Director of Multimedia Research. As the only female director on the team at the time, she played a pivotal role in advancing research and innovation in the use of mobile phones as sensors of human activity. Her work opened up new possibilities in data collection and analysis, paving the way for advancements in fields such as healthcare, transportation, and urban planning.
In 2016, Nuria expanded her impact by joining Vodafone as the Director of Data Science Research. In this role, she led groundbreaking research projects that leveraged big data to gain insights into various societal challenges. Her work focused on using data analytics and machine learning techniques to address issues such as urban planning, public health, and environmental sustainability. Simultaneously, she became the Chief Data Scientist at DataPop Alliance, an international non-profit organization dedicated to leveraging big data for social good.
Throughout her career, Nuria has received numerous accolades and recognition for her contributions to the field of computer science and her commitment to societal impact. She is an IEEE Fellow and an ACM Fellow. She serves as a member of the board of ELLIS, a prestigious European AI research network. Additionally, she was elected as a permanent member of the Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain in 2018, solidifying her position as a respected and influential figure in the scientific community.
Nuria Oliver’s research has had a significant impact on the field of computer science and has been widely cited by more than 23,000 publications, making her one of the most influential female computer scientists in Spain. Her dedication to leveraging technology for social good, combined with her exceptional research achievements, has made her a role model for aspiring scientists and a prominent advocate for increasing diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields.
Awards:
– Spanish First National Prize of Telecommunication Engineers (1994)