AI engineer overcomes many obstacles

However, she is just starting her career as a technical professional, Mayra Yukli Bib Cal Already has removed huge obstacles. IEEE member sees his life as an example for other youth, indicating that they may succeed despite the damage caused by their gender, ethnicity, language or economic background.

Born in the northern “poverty belt” of Guatemala in Koban, the capital of Alta Verapaz, she became far from the world of technology. Kaal says that she spent her early years living with her aunt, while her mother worked in cities at a time to provide for the family. In his community – mostly descendants of Swadeshi Maya-cake People -Technology was rarely discussed. Chasing a degree meant to study to become a physician, anyone knew about the most prestigious business.

No one imagined that a girl from Koban would one day do a doctorate in engineering or conduct cancer research in France.

On the way to his ambitious goals, Cal received a great assistance from IEEE. He received one Gray scholarshipThe IEEE Systems Council awarded the process control system engineering, plant automation, or graduate studies in instrument measures by the IEEE Systems Council. The US $ 5,000 award allowed him to study for his PhD.

Cal was introduced for technology, when at the age of 14, he received a government scholarship to participate Instituteo Tacenico de Capacitasion Wi PrudivedadA high school in Guatemala city. It was its first exposure to electronics, robotics and mector (an interdisciplinary region that connects mechanical engineering, electronics, computer science and control system), which was not taught in its local school. Cal was fascinated by the ability to study the fields, although her family could not give tuition to private universities where she could earn a degree. But he did not dislike her.

Piralmination

He applied for a scholarship Gutiérrez FoundationNominated for the founder of CMIA Guatemala-based multinational company. The scholarship of the foundation includes complete tuition, fees and costs for a period of graduation of a recipient.

“I just don’t want to make technology for it, I want something that means something – to help solve real problems in society, as I encountered quickly.”

In 2016, Caal earned a bachelor’s degree in MECHATronics Engineering Universald del vale de guatemalaAlso in Guatemala City. There were some women in his class.

However, she says that the job market was uncontrolled. Despite their credibility, employers often require five years of experience for entry level positions, and she expressed a priority for male employees, she says. It took six months to do his first job as a mechanical maintenance supervisor near his hometown.

He organized that job for six months before going back to Guatemala City in search of better opportunities. He took a position as the head of mechanical maintenance MayaprinThe company specialized in commercial printing services, but was not satisfied with her career trajectory.

Cal decided to return to school in 2018 to obtain a master’s degree in McAtronics and Micromactronics Engineering. He received a scholarship Mundus joint master Program, part of a European Commission -class initiative that provides education, training and money for youth in sports. Because Mundus scholarships require recipients to study in many universities, they took classes in schools in Europe and Africa, including École nation supérieure de mécanique et des microtechniques, Indigo universityAnd UniverseHis study focused on metrons and microelectronics, and the courses were taught in French, English and Spanish.

She says that multilingual challenge was very high. He recently learned English, and French was completely new to him. Still she remained firm, inspired by her goal of working on technology that can serve humanity.

He received a master’s degree from Universidad de Ovido in 2020 and was accepted in PhD. Program on University de borgogne french-comteBesanacon, in France. His doctoral studies were funded by gray scholarship.

His research led to a full -time job last year, focused on McAtronics and Robotics as an R&D engineer. Hypary Ken, in France. Established in 2021 develops software to assist with medical data analysis and promote the performance of imaging tools.

Call says it is part of a team that uses AI and automated systems to improve cancer detection. Although she has taken over for less than a year, she says that she already feels that she is contributing to public health through applicable technology.

IEEE support and stem mentorship

Through the very journey of Cal, IEEE has played an important role. As a graduate, he was the Vice President and then the President of his university IEEE student branchHis first international conference came from participating experience IEEE Region 9 Conferences, which she says, opened her eyes to the world of research, publication and global engineering community.

He tried in local schools, conducting simple experiments to encourage girls to consider STEM career. His efforts were in direct opposition to gender norms in Guatemala.

Today, CAAL continues to advise his career in France, especially in the student branches, especially in Guatemala, in Guatemala.

She says that language issues and gender prejudices remain obstacles: “As a young woman, as a young woman, I have repeatedly proved my ability in the ways of my male companions.” But the challenges have only strengthened her resolve, she says.

Eventually, she says, she hopes to return to Guatemala to help create a strong research infrastructure with adequate career opportunities for technical professionals in industry and academics. She says that she also wants to ensure that children in the most rural, poverty -stricken schools have access to food, electricity and internet.

His mission is clear: “Using technology to serve a purpose, always with the aim of improving life.”

She says, “I don’t just want to make technology for it.” “I want something that means something – to help solve real problems in society, as I faced quickly.”