22/06/2026
🚀 “If you don’t raise your hand, nobody will pick you.”
Today, Women in CS at TUM had the pleasure of partnering with EUROAVIA München for our Meet the Researchers panel, bringing together researchers and professionals working at the intersection of aerospace, machine learning, and innovation.
One of my favorite parts of the event was hearing not only about cutting-edge research, but also about the personal journeys behind it.
✨ Amita Shrestha (DLR) shared how optical satellite communication could help build more secure and efficient data networks in the age of quantum computing.
🧬 Juliette Murris (Max Planck Institute) showed how protein language models can help us better understand protein folding and bacterial resistance.
🛰️ Cécile Deprez (DLR) talked about her path from Geomatics to software development for the Galileo satellite constellation, highlighting the importance of support networks and being open to unexpected opportunities.
💼 Arti Dhole (WIA-E Munich & SpaceBrewery) emphasized the power of mentorship, community building, and creating opportunities for the next generation of women in STEM.
Some lessons that stayed with me:
💡 You don’t have to know everything to belong in research. Doubt is often what drives curiosity and progress.
💡 If you want opportunities, raise your hand. Visibility matters.
💡 Don’t shrink yourself to fit stereotypes. Own your expertise and your ambitions.
💡 Be patient with yourself. Growth takes time, and even the most accomplished people are still learning.
A huge thank you to our speakers for sharing their expertise and experiences so openly, and to everyone who joined the discussion.
Looking forward to many more conversations that connect students, researchers, and future innovators. 💜
