21st Century Women in Technology: María Navarro Jamardo
An innate sense of curiosity is one of those qualities shared by many in the world of technology. Knowing how things work is one of the main motivations our own women in tech found in pursuing a career in the sector. This is also true in the case of our guest for this latest instalment of our 21st Century Women in Technology series, María Navarro Jamardo. This mathematician from Pontecesures, later studied for a Master’s degree in Statistical Techniques. Now at Gradiant, she works in the Machine Learning & Optimization line, in the Intelligent Systems area. Data analysis and data processing have a practical, real-life utility that makes organisations more efficient and therefore more sustainable. This practical aspect of the work she does is also a great source of motivation for this basketball and painting enthusiast.
What did you want to do when you were little?
I remember that from a very young age, I always wanted to be a doctor, or at least to dedicate myself to the field of science or health. However, during the Bachillerato, which is when you start to think more seriously about how to continue your studies, I started considering more possibilities. As I was no longer sure what I wanted to do in the future, I decided to study mathematics. It has always been my favourite subject, so I knew I was going to enjoy it. It also offers a wide range of career opportunities.
Why did you then choose technology?
I’ve always been a curious person: I like to know why things happen, how they work, and so on. Science has always attracted me for that reason because it tries to give answers and explain reality. What attracts me to technology is the advances and solutions it brings to research in many different fields and disciplines.
Where did you plan to study? Why?
As I wanted to stay close to my family and friends, I never considered leaving Galicia. The only Galician city where it was possible to study Mathematics was Santiago. So, the choice was quite easy: I studied the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Santiago de Compostela.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on two projects at Gradiant. The first is the development of a demand forecasting model for hospitality establishments for which we are also developing an API. This system will make it easier for the management of these establishments to consult future forecasts and thus optimise their organisation’s resources. On the other hand, I am also collaborating on a project in which we are working with Reinforcement Learning algorithms. These techniques are based on action-reward learning. This means that the algorithm provides rewards based on how good the action was and learns what the optimal choices are. We are applying these techniques to create a recommendation system for raw material purchases. This is how we help organisations to be more efficient in the management of their resources.
What do you like most about your work?
The usefulness of the things I do. Throughout my mathematics degree I studied very interesting topics and subjects, but not all of them were of practical use to me. That is why I wanted to focus my training on the Statistics and Optimisation branch, because it allows me to solve real problems. In the projects in which I am currently involved, I like to see that my work is useful in solving the requests or concerns that are put to us.
Besides that, I would also highlight the atmosphere at Gradiant, which makes the work more bearable.
Who is your female role model or reference in the world of technology?
I have never thought of anyone as a role model for me in the world of technology in general. As a mathematician, I have often felt motivated by some of my teachers, especially by their research.
What is your reading of the situation regarding women in the technological field?
From a student’s point of view, my perception is that more and more women are opting for careers in science and technology. From an employment perspective, I think change is slower, although progress is also being made both in the number of women and in the responsibility of the positions we hold.
What would you say to the tech workers of the future?
I’d tell them to approach the work with enthusiasm and excitement, because it is an area in which one is constantly learning and requires hard work and responsibility.
