21st Century Technologists: Claudia Rey Gómez
We return to 21st Century Technologists, this time featuring our colleague Claudia Rey. The history of music is deeply connected with mathematics, a relationship that has endured through time. From selecting musical notes to arranging them, creating tonalities, rhythms, and composing methods, mathematics plays a crucial role. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Claudia, a clarinetist, has been passionate about mathematics since childhood. Now, as an Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineer, she works at Gradiant on generating digital twins for unmanned vehicles as part of the PlatGDIA project.
What did you want to be when you were little?
As a child, I wanted to be a teacher because I attended a small rural school with only five students, where our teacher was fully dedicated to us. I admired her greatly. Since there were so few of us, she would ensure we visited many places, even taking us on field trips in her own car. Later, I became interested in other professions: astronaut, mathematician, pilot. Mathematics was always my strength, thanks in part to the exceptional teachers I had in high school. I still remember the first time I thought about becoming a mathematician. A teacher encouraged me to take an entrance test for Estalmat, a program aimed at stimulating mathematical talent. Although I wasn’t selected, I enjoyed the preparation process. I also loved math Olympiads. A few years later, I became interested in aeronautics.
What did you want to be when you were little?
When I started taking subjects related to technology and physics, it didn’t take long to realize this was my path. I love understanding how things work and their real-world applications. I’ve always enjoyed learning about everything from how a lightbulb functions to designing complex machines. Over time, I found my niche and pursued a career in electronics.
Where did you decide to study? Why?
I knew I wanted to study at the University of Vigo (Uvigo). I didn’t want to leave Galicia, and Uvigo is a national benchmark for engineering programs..
What are you currently working on?
I work in the Advanced Communications area, specifically with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Currently, I’m researching the generation of digital twins for unmanned vehicles as part of the PlatGDIA project. Digital twins are virtual models replicating physical systems, allowing realistic simulations before executing an action. These simulations can also compare real-time results of virtual and physical systems during execution.
Specifically, I’m focused on hybrid communication digital twins that complement satellite and cellular networks, incorporating global navigation satellite systems and physical vehicle models. This enables unmanned vehicle missions to adjust their routes based on connectivity and positioning while monitoring the object’s physical state to avoid errors and predict or counteract anomalies.
What do you like most about your job?
One of the aspects I value most is the opportunity to learn something new every day. It’s also essential for me to avoid routine, and having frequent new challenges keeps monotony at bay.
Who is your female role model in technology?
Although I discovered her recently, I’d highlight molecular biologist Sara García Alonso. She recently passed the tests to become an ESA astronaut, and I’m inspired by her charisma and discipline. Being an astronaut is a dream shared by millions of children and adults worldwide, but it’s often considered an unattainable goal. The belief persists that it’s a profession reserved for a select few. However, if someone like her—a relatable, Spanish woman—becomes an astronaut, it could inspire many others, transforming that seemingly unreachable dream into a realistic aspiration. For me, she’s a role model in Spanish science.
What’s your take on the situation of women in your field?
I believe the situation has improved compared to years ago regarding access to technology-related fields. Additionally, there’s been progress in breaking gender roles and stereotypes questioning women’s capability in technology. However, more effort is needed to make female technologists visible. We exist in this field, not as exceptions. Showcasing professional women in technology from an early age can help reduce the gender gap in the future, increasing our presence in this sector.
What would you say to future technologists?
To all of them—both present and future—I would say that they are and will be a cornerstone of society due to the technological advancements transforming our reality. Therefore, it’s essential for them to be ethical in their decisions and actions.
PlatGDIA es un proyecto financiado por el programa TRANSMISIONES del CDTI.
