Eva Antonino, Associate Professor, researcher and Deputy Director for Research at the Institute of Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications (iTEAM), has obtained a prize awarded by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the biggest and most prestigious international engineers association, thanks to her contributions in the telecommunications field.
Antonino has obtained the Lot Shafai Mid-Career Distinguished Achievement, a prize recognized worldwide that is awarded to women with an exemplary career at the middle of their career path (they must be younger than 41 years old).
The jury has honored the researcher of the iTEAM at UPV and assoaciate professor at the School of Telecommunications Engineering (ETSIT-UPV) for both her contributions to the aerials systematic design for practical applications and the promotion of women in engineering.
Scientist and mother
“I think this is a recognition for the hard work done for several years,” says Antonino. “Sometimes, research is silent, and it is not easy to obtain very impactful results. This kind of award helps to provide visibility and vindicate the value of our daily work,” she adds.
In addition, Antonino has achieved this honor while balancing her professional career with a family life. “I have two children and it is difficult to combine everything, so I think this prize helps to normalize the scientist woman and the mother at a international level,” adds the UPV researcher.
Antonino is the third researcher at the ETSIT-UPV awarded with this prize. “Undoubtedly, this is a great achievement for the university, taking into account this is a worldwide award. I believe it gives an idea of the good education provided by the ETSIT of UPV. Sometimes it can be hard for students but it makes us internationally competitive,” she says.
Aerials for 5G, sensors, IoT and body area networks
Eva Antonino works on the design of aerials for applications in the wavelength of microwaves, from VHF and UHF to 4G and 5G mobile communications, as well as ultra-wideband (UWB), WIFI aerials, Bluetooth, sensor devices for Internet of Things (IoT) and for body area networks.
Now, her research is focused on the design of high gain aerials for new applications of 5G systems in a project for the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. “In these systems, aerials play a significant role, so it is necessary to suggest new design strategies in order to meet the objectives,” explains Antonino.
“Greater public and private commitment is required in order to transfer research results to industries”
Eva Antonino has recently been in a stay at the Georgia Institute of Technology (United States), learning about new materials and additive manufacturing technologies applied to the aerial design, in one of the leading centers in this field.
“My challenge is to bring part of this knowledge back to Spain, although I need more investment and new research projects in order to achieve it. We have the technical know-how but we need greater public and private commitment in order to transfer the research results to industries,” concludes Antonino.