She is the Deputy Vice-Rector for Communication at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid since 2020 and a Senior Lecturer at the School of Computer Systems (ETSISI) since 1994. She is the founder of the UPM Bone Marrow Team, receiving recognition from the Health Authority of the regional government of Madrid. Since 2001, she has been part of the UPM team dedicated to promoting technological vocations in schools primarily within the Autonomous Community of Madrid. This involves talks, workshops, conferences, participation as a judge in FIRST Lego League tournaments, university fairs, and collaboration programs with compulsory secondary education (ESO) developed by education authorities. In 2022-2023 she received funding from the Tatiana Foundation to lead the training project “Engineering Students for Civic Humanism”, whose main objective is to enrich the humanistic profile of engineering and architecture students from Spanish public universities.
As Deputy Vice-Rector for Communication at UPM, could you give us more insights into your role?
My role involves developing and implementing strategies to communicate effectively both within the university and to external audiences. This includes coordinating with schools and faculties, departments, and external partners to ensure coherent messaging and to promote UPM’s achievements, research, and values. My team also enhance UPM’s image as a leader in education and research on both a national and international scale. We are focused as well on strengthening our online presence and building relationships with the media and various organisations. This is a university where something interesting is happening every day, and it is usually something we should be proud of… so we need to develop a seamless internal communication network to ensure the UPM community feels well-supported by our Vice-Rectorate and knows that we are proud of them. and that we see them as an important part of the institution’s success. We must take great care to nurture this.
The UPM’s Bone Marrow Team has received notable recognition. Can you tell us more about this initiative and what inspired you to pursue the creation of such Team?
The Bone Marrow Team was simply inspired by a personal experience and my belief in the power of volunteerism and solidarity. Several years ago, I became aware of the urgent need for bone marrow donors and the relatively low levels of awareness about this, particularly among younger people who are the most important group because the requirement to be registered as a donor is to be under 40. This motivated me to establish the UPM Bone Marrow Team, with the aim of raising awareness among students about the importance of bone marrow donation and increasing the number of registered donors. We organise regular donor drives, educational campaigns, and events across campus to engage students and staff alike. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the UPM community come together for such an important cause, and the recognition we’ve received from the Madrid Health Authorities is a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of all those involved.
In the recent years, you have accomplished and lead the project “Engineering Students for Civic Humanism”. As the integration of cross-disciplinary skills, inclusiveness and societal impacts are key values of EELISA’s European Engineer profile, how do you think both initiatives are aligned within the future of engineering education?
Perfectly aligned! The “Engineering Students for Civic Humanism” project emerged from the understanding that technical knowledge alone is no longer sufficient in today’s world. We need engineers who are not only technically competent but also socially aware and ethically grounded. This project aligns perfectly with EELISA’s vision of the European Engineer, where inclusiveness, cross-disciplinary skills, and societal engagement are central values. Both initiatives emphasise that engineering solutions should not only be efficient but also responsible and equitable, preparing students to tackle global challenges with a social perspective.
You have been part of EELISA since the very beginning, as one of its promoters in UPM and being closely linked to the introduction of young students to STEM careers, what made you ‘believe” in EELISA? And how do you think it can impact student’s future development?
This is the most difficult question of this questionnaire… I fall in love with EELISA’s mission from the outset because it represents a transformative approach to engineering education. It promotes the idea that engineers should be agents of change, not only in terms of technology but also in addressing societal challenges. What particularly inspired me was EELISA’s platform for collaboration across European institutions, enabling students to experience different educational systems, cultures, and ideas while working on real-world problems. This cross-border, interdisciplinary exchange is crucial in preparing students for the complexities of our interconnected world.
For students, being part of EELISA offers unique opportunities to develop not only as engineers but also as global citizens.
I believe EELISA has the potential to shape a new generation of engineers who are more empathetic, globally minded, and better equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.