Blog

As part of the celebrations for International Women's Day (M8), BISITE is investigating the life stories of the women in the group in their personal and professional careers, which have allowed them to become highly valuable role models in research and innovation in science and technology.

This series begins with Laura Grande, a member of our research group, who reveals that her passion for technology arose from her childhood, in the bosom of a "geeky" family that followed the latest market trends. Getting closer to her story, she tells us fond memories of her first contacts with technology, where, already in the 80s, she had a computer at home and, later, she was the first in her group of friends to have a television with a remote control.

Growing up in such an environment influenced her professional path and enabled her to achieve her goal of becoming a computer engineer. “During my university years, women made up around 20% of the enrolment for that year. However, I believe that the numbers are even lower now, despite initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in science.”

She highlighted the impact of societal stereotypes, noting that women's involvement in the technology sector remains limited. From an early age, girls are encouraged towards caregiving roles within the home, which later influences their career choices. This is evident in the high number of women who pursue nursing, for example, demonstrating how educational paths are shaped from childhood.

For just over a year, Laura has been part of the BISITE team as a project coordinator in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Here, she has found the ideal environment to continue her professional growth and work towards one of her key goals—earning a doctorate in technology.