Tanya Shreedhar
The Heidelberg Laureate Forum has a single purpose: To provide some of the brightest minds in mathematics and computer science with the space and time to make connections and find inspiration. The HLFF Spotlight series shines a light on some of the brilliant individuals attending the event.
Tanya Shreedhar is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Networked Systems group of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Her research interests lie broadly in the area of networks and systems working on next-generation transport protocols such as Multipath TCP, QUIC, and Age Control Protocol. She attended the 9th HLF in 2022 as a young researcher and the 10th HLF as an alumna and moderator of the opening ceremony. She is attending the 11th HLF again as an alumna.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in your field?
Growing up in a small city in India during the 90s, I vividly remember when I first entered the computer lab where a couple of bulky boxy machines opened my access to the whole wide world. In those days, the internet was a rare and precious resource but in my computer lab, I could read new books, get access to news globally and discover new information through encyclopedias. Soon after, I learned programming and that first “HELLO WORLD” was the most transformative program I have ever written (to date). I was hooked. As I grew up, there was a ‘digital revolution’ in India and it opened up an entire world of possibilities. I also soon realized that technology had the potential to solve real-world problems, make a positive impact and improve day-to-day life. Over the years, I combined my love for computers, discovery and creativity by pursuing a research career where I can explore topics that make smart devices talk to each other and stream high-definition live video feeds instantaneously. The internet is my oyster.
What has been your proudest moment in your scientific career so far?
I feel proud that I am in a position to advocate for women researchers in sciences and promote openness in research through the various platforms and initiatives I am involved in. From the start of my PhD, I have taken a keen interest in mentoring, supporting and motivating female researchers to pursue careers in scientific research. I have organized several mentorship events and moderated panels in top-tier computer science conferences to highlight challenges and exchange experiences. My efforts were recently recognized by the L’Oréal-UNESCO, where I was selected in the Women in Science UK and Ireland Rising Talents Awards cohort (in 2023), which gave me the unique opportunity to voice my opinions and concerns about the challenges that women face in STEM to the UK ministers, press and a much wider audience.
What is the most exciting or meaningful development happening in your field right now and why?
In my opinion, the recent deployment of LEO satellites to provide commercial internet access by operators such as SpaceX, OneWeb, etc., has fueled the interest within the systems and networking community for satellite internet connectivity. Traditionally, internet access has largely been ground-based, which required laying fiber links underground (or underwater) to interconnect the globe. Until recently, satellite systems have mostly focused on small-to-medium constellation sizes, which primarily conducted earth observations or provided disaster communications. However, constellation sizes in the past three years have increased from a few hundred to several thousand and satellites are also being retrofitted with laser links to enable inter-satellite communication. This has resulted in a new chapter in networked systems and internet accessibility (which is no longer limited by fiber availability) and has several avenues for new-age internet protocol solutions.
How has attending the Heidelberg Laureate Forum impacted your life and career?
I consider HLF a career-altering event due to the multi-dimensional impact it had on my self-confidence and research outlook. As a postdoc, transitioning from a PhD student, I received much valuable advice from experienced researchers on career transitions and work-life balance that has helped me tremendously to grow as an independent researcher. The biggest impact was on my outlook towards research, as I had the chance for close-quarters interactions with the laureates who have shaped my research field and the chance to learn about their motivations and outlook. I was also able to learn about new fields from laureates who talked about research and ideas with such passion and listened to ours with such curiosity. I also resonated with so many laureates and peers who talked about their own experience of failures in research, it allowed me to make peace with my mistakes. This, indeed, was such an inspiring and motivating experience that it gives you a fresh perspective to look at research.
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