Previous Institution
Universidad Central de Venezuela -
What was your PhD research focus?
Electronic Engineering Applied to Particle Physics
Additional Brunel qualifications:
Electronic and Microelectronic Engineering BEng, 2002
Tell us about your career journey since you graduated…
After completing my PhD, I started work with a scientific instrument manufacturer as Project Engineer. We build superconducting magnets and small measurement systems which we ship all over the world. Since then, I have moved into IT, managing complex software and infrastructure projects.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
I start the workday with a 15-minute scrum meeting with my team where we run through the schedule for the day and review any issues that have arisen from the day before. I exchange a lot of information with my clients in forms of reporting, requirement gathering, and issue escalations. What I like most about every day, is that I dedicate time to review what I can make easier for the day after and what I can automate.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
After helping to build the Large Hadron Collider (the world's largest and highest-energy particle collider and the largest machine in the world), I have created a bespoke ERP system, deployed software and infrastructure to huge retail companies, rolled out new Wi-Fi across Heathrow Airport for the new BA planes, and more recently, helped secure a multi-million-pound project.
How would you say Brunel helped you to get where you are today?
Mainly through the quality of the education I received. I was able to experiment and learn from experience, guided by the theoretical knowledge from the classroom. I built a lot of resilience working late at night in the labs, or alone in the bunkers (there are two at Brunel).
Why did you choose to study at Brunel and why would you recommend Brunel to others?
When I first applied to Brunel, I was studying Electronic Engineering in Venezuela. Brunel was offering the courses I was most interested in at the time: Microelectronic Engineering.
What is your best memory of studying here?
The people, my friends, and the fun.
If you could give one piece of advice to new students, what would that be?
Make the most of your time and prepare for the huge world there is out there. Take language courses, and transferable skill classes etc. and think about what you would like to do after university and start planning your career.
What would be your top tip or advice for new graduates as they begin their career journey?
The world is huge, and opportunities are there for the taking. So, prepare yourself for when these knock at your door, get a mentor, never stop learning, plan your career and move forward with purpose.
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