21st Century Women in Technology: Carlota Cañamero 

Medicine is a field dependent on technology to improve patient care, speed up diagnostic times and the accuracy of tests. Our colleague Carlota Cañamero Herrero (Nigrán), who is doing her Telecommunications degree internship at Gradiant’s eHealth area, and the subject of this week’s 21st Century Women in Technology interview, knows this all too well. Since she was a child, it was clear to her that her vocation was oriented towards dealing with other people and that is why she works on the development of AI-based clinical decision support systems. She is passionate about nature and animals, so in her spare time she enjoys horse riding and cycling, a sport in which she competed for years. Carlota has an adventurous spirit, fascinated by Indiana Jones she wanted to be an archaeologist; while now, she still has that spontaneity and is always keen to spend time with her friends, whatever the plan is!

 

What did you want to do when you were little? 

I never had a profession in mind. When you’re little you want to be what you see and it blows your mind. I remember that after watching Indiana Jones, I wanted to be an archaeologist.

 

Why did you choose technology? 

One year I wanted to do sports medicine, the next I wanted to study the human brain and finally I wanted to do ethology. It was never clear to me what I wanted to do but I was always unconsciously oriented towards professions where you deal with people in person. That’s where I felt most comfortable. 

I was good at mathematics and in high school I took ICT with an exceptional teacher, who stirred my interest in the world of technology. I was able to investigate all the practical applications: being able to provide simpler solutions to complex situations is what helped me make up my mind.

 

Where did you plan to study? Why? 

I always wanted to study at the University of Vigo, because it’s close to home.

 

What are you currently working on? 

I’m part of the eHealth team at Gradiant, where we develop technologies that, when applied to the sector, allow us to achieve our goal of improving people’s quality of life.

Right now, I’m collaborating on the development of an AI-based application that assesses chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers or diabetic foot ulcers, and recommends treatment in a much faster and more agile way.

 

What do you like most about your work? 

What I like most about my work is that it has a direct impact on people, improving or facilitating their daily lives. This makes me feel that my work is useful, practical and valuable.

 

Who is your female role model or reference in the world of technology? 

They do exist, but the truth is that I don’t really have one role model. Both at the School of Telecommunications and in my work and social networks, I am fortunate to deal with women who are leading figures in the STEM field and I try to absorb and learn from every one of them.

 

How do you envision your career in technology? Where would you like to go? 

We live in a time marked by the evolution of technology and as professionals we have to adapt through ongoing training. I see it as a “long-distance” race where I never finish learning. I would like to move into project management in the future. My goal is to become a unique professional.

 

What would you say to the tech workers of the future?

I would tell them not to set limits for themselves. Academically speaking, we often don’t opt for our first choice because it is a very difficult path that only the “smartest” or “geeks” succeed in, even if it is a “boy’s” career. I would encourage them to demystify all these careers: with perseverance and with hard work you can get anywhere.