Walk us through your career; when does your journey in robotics start and is there a defining moment that led you where you are today?

Although my journey in robotics began at a very young age, at the various National and International competitions I participated in, the pivotal moment came at the age of 13 when I was a member of the Greek team at the World Robot Olympiad in Korea. I can still recall being overwhelmed by the cutting-edge technology we experienced there and the intense technological growth that the field of robotics was undergoing at the time. I can identify that experience with the realisation that I would follow a path in robotics. My mind had opened to the endless possibilities and applications in this field and the impact they could have in improving lives and society as a whole.

Since then, a large part of my life has been dedicated to science and technology but at the same time I have been able to take advantage of amazing experiences which contributed to my career choice. I strongly believe in the power of education to change lives and societies. So, while I was still studying at the National Technical University of Athens (Polytechnio) I co-founded Unique Minds, an NGO committed to equipping students with all necessary information and practical experience that will lead to more conscious and well-informed decisions when choosing what academic and career path to follow.

Can you remember a time that you felt challenged across the course of your career and how did you overcome it?

Numerous times during my career I have felt exhausted and stressed to the point where I wanted to quit. Ultimately, the passion for my job and the satisfaction it gives me prevail and keep me motivated and driven. The potential of helping people and solving problems outweighs the difficult times. I truly believe that with clear vision and determination, you can overcome any obstacle!

What do you think stops people from pursuing their dream job and why do we often hesitate to make a career shift, even if we are unhappy? 

I believe that often young people mistakenly base their career decisions either on social and parental expectations or financial parameters. You should never let these factors define you and stop you from pursuing your goals. The real emphasis should be placed on what interests you, what makes you happy and what you see yourself doing in the future, based on your personality, talent and skills. You need determination and good planning, but I truly believe that the more you listen to yourself, the greater your chances of being happy and successful in life.

Your work seems so impressive, but do you manage to dedicate any time to yourself and your wellbeing? 

No...at least not to the level I should. When I feel exhausted I switch off my phone and escape from the city for a couple of days. As time passes, I consciously try to take more care of myself and make some time for me and my wellbeing. The pandemic undoubtedly helped me slow down and reflect, but I must admit “resting” is still a challenge for me. I have promised myself to do better in the future!

Your professional field is predominantly occupied by men. Have you ever experienced discriminatory behaviour or unequal treatment?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. I have been treated wrongly in the past and sadly there are numerous examples I can recall, from being unfairly loaded with mundane tasks to having my ideas unjustifiably rejected. Being one of the few females in a male-dominated industry has been very difficult at times.

A few years ago, my project proposal was unreasonably rejected by an organization that later on accepted the same idea submitted by a male colleague. That incident made me realise that I have to set my boundaries and react to this blatant inequality. My personal experience has shown that it is imperative to have inner strength, believe in yourself and trust your capabilities. As women, we owe it to future generations to act collectively and support one another to assert what we all deserve; not only in the workplace, but in life.

Any piece of advice or message that you would like to share?

The message that I would like to convey to my generation is that we need to take steps towards a more equal world and help create opportunities for young people in the future to experience a fairer life, one full of choices. First and foremost, we should encourage children to play with gender-neutral toys from a very young age so that girls and boys can explore similar tasks and develop the same range of skills. This should enable them to make active choices and decisions about their career paths and have access to an equal and more accepting work environment, rather than follow stereotypes of previous generations.