Sofia Zahri

 

 

 

Tell us about your work

I am a final-year PhD researcher at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Queen Mary University of London. My research sits at the intersection of computer science, biomedical engineering, health informatics, and epidemiology.

I use mathematical models and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to study how well forecasting methods can predict infectious-disease outbreaks under changing conditions. A central question in my work is whether a forecasting model that performs well in one setting can remain reliable when it is applied to another region with different population sizes, transmission patterns, or levels of uncertainty.

My research has gradually developed from studying how machine-learning models respond to random variation in outbreak data, to examining differences between regions, and towards future work on vector-borne diseases such as malaria. In the longer term, I am interested in how forecasting models can learn from data collected across different regions while respecting the practical challenges of using health data.

My early interest in science and mathematics has strongly influenced this work. I am especially interested in research that combines technical ideas with questions that matter in real life, particularly in healthcare and public health.

My background is in Computer Networks and Telecommunications Engineering, and I have also worked as a Teaching Fellow in EECS, supporting the Principles of Machine Learning module and MSc students. Alongside my research, I lead and support PhD-community initiatives through Walk & Talk, including the Inter-Group Presentation Workshop, where students can practise presenting their work, exchange ideas, and build confidence across research groups.

What inspired you to choose EECS?

Becoming a scientist is one of my childhood dreams, as well as contributing to work that can make a positive difference in people's lives. EECS gave me the opportunity to combine my technical background in engineering, data analysis, and machine learning with research connected to important societal challenges.

I was particularly drawn to the possibility of applying computing and AI to healthcare, biomedical engineering, and public health. The interdisciplinary environment at EECS has allowed me to develop from an engineer interested in computing systems into a researcher exploring how technology can be used responsibly to support health-related decision-making.

What I value most is that EECS brings together people from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. This has encouraged me to think beyond my original discipline, develop confidence in my research direction, and work towards the larger goal that first inspired me: using science and technology to contribute to meaningful change.

What are the challenges and opportunities of being a woman in EECS?

Being a woman in EECS has been a positive and intellectually stimulating experience. EECS brings together people with different expertise, perspectives, and ways of thinking, creating an environment where you can constantly learn, challenge yourself, and grow.

Although I am now a British citizen, I was born in Fez, Morocco, a city with a remarkable history of women contributing to education and knowledge. Fatimah al-Fihri is the first woman founder of Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez in the 9th century, an institution recognised as one of the world's oldest and first universities of higher education. During its long history, it became an important place for scholars in fields including mathematics, astronomy, medicine, logic, language, geography, philosophy and many others, attracting learners from different parts of the world (Lulat, 2005).

This history has always reminded me that women have always been present in the development of knowledge, science, and technology. Sometimes their contributions are visible at the front of institutions, discoveries, and inventions; at other times, they are behind the scenes, through the support, education, care, and encouragement that help raise professors, scientists, and innovators. Their touch has always been there.

I recognise that women can still be underrepresented in some technical environments, and that this can vary across countries, institutions, and fields. At the same time, I believe it is important to acknowledge the many women who have contributed, and who continue to contribute and lead across artificial intelligence, healthcare technology, biomedical engineering, data science, and engineering more broadly. Women are shaping the future both visibly and behind the scenes.

One of the most valuable aspects of EECS is seeing inspiring women contribute across these areas. It shows that computer science and engineering are not limited to one type of person or one career path. Women can be researchers, professors, innovators, project leaders, entrepreneurs, and community builders.

Through EECS and initiatives such as Walk & Talk and the WHEN events, I have seen how supportive networks, visible role models, and inclusive communities can help people build confidence, share ideas, and take on new opportunities.

Why would you say women should consider a career in engineering or computer science?

Engineering and computer science offer the opportunity to turn ideas into practical solutions. This is one of the main reasons why I chose this field: it allows me to explore solutions to real-world challenges and contribute to making people's lives easier through technology.

These fields are creative as much as technical, with applications across almost every area of life, from healthcare and education to communication, sustainability, and public services.

Women should consider these careers because they belong in them. Their perspectives, creativity, and ways of approaching problems are essential to building technologies that genuinely serve society. The systems shaping our future should be designed by people with different experiences, interests, and ambitions.

There is space in these fields for researchers, innovators, teachers, entrepreneurs, project leaders, and decision-makers. Women should always feel confident pursuing these paths, leading in them, and shaping how technology is developed and used.

Do you have a role model in the field who inspires you?

My supervisor, Professor Jesús Requena-Carrión, has been an important mentor and role model throughout my PhD journey. Beyond helping me develop my technical knowledge, I have learned a great deal by observing how he manages different projects, communicates with academics and students from different backgrounds, and approaches challenges with patience, clarity, and respect for different viewpoints.

One quality I particularly admire is his ability to break down complex problems and make them appear simple and understandable. He has taught me that when you truly understand a problem, you should be able to explain it clearly. For him, simplicity is not about making a problem less important or less rigorous; it is about understanding it well enough to communicate it in a way that others can follow.

He has helped me understand that being a researcher is not only about technical ability. Leadership, emotional intelligence, professionalism, and the ability to manage disagreement constructively are equally important. His guidance has encouraged me to take on new initiatives, support MSc students, and become more confident as a researcher and as a leader within my academic community.

What I admire most about him is his ability to combine strong academic thinking with kindness, calmness, and a genuine willingness to support others. This perspective has shaped the way I want to grow in my own career: not only as a researcher, but also as someone who supports students, builds positive communities, and helps others feel confident in their own potential.

What is the best thing about your work?

The best part of my work is combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and mathematical modelling to address real-world health challenges. I enjoy working with complex models and translating their results into meaningful insights about how infectious diseases may spread. My research focuses on identifying robust forecasting methods that can support public-health authorities in recognising potential outbreak risks earlier, planning appropriate responses, and helping protect communities. It gives me the opportunity to use science and technology to think about problems that can ultimately affect people's lives.

However, one of the things I value most about my PhD journey is the people around it. Research is not only about papers, models, and results; it is also about learning from others, sharing ideas, supporting one another, and growing within a community.

I have been very fortunate to receive support and encouragement from many members of EECS, from our Head of School, Professor Steve Uhlig, and the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr Arkaitz Zubiaga, to our lovely PhD Student Coordinator, Melissa Yeo, and our Facilities Manager, Edward Hoskins. Their support, in different ways, has made a real difference to the PhD experience.

I am also grateful to the lecturers, senior lecturers, and researchers who have encouraged students beyond their own research groups, including Dr Richard Clegg, Dr Anna Xambó Sedó, Dr Ekaterina Ivanova, Dr Raymond Hu, Dr Mona Jaber, Dr Paulo Oliva, and Dr Fabrizio Smeraldi, as well as many others across EECS.

Through activities such as Walk & Talk, the Inter-Group Presentation Workshop, and other community events, I have seen how much confidence people can gain when they feel supported and included. For me, that is one of the most meaningful parts of academic life: contributing to research while also helping to create a community where others can learn, connect, and believe in themselves.

When not at EECS, what are your interests?

Outside EECS, I enjoy spending time with my family and making the most of our weekends together. As a wife and mum, I particularly value sharing activities such as swimming, golfing, and playing tennis. I'm also a big basketball lover. Basketball has been one of my favourite hobbies since I was a teenager, and I enjoy staying connected to it. These moments help me stay active, recharge, and keep a healthy balance alongside my research.

I also enjoy spending time with friends from different backgrounds and cultures. One of the things I value most about living in London is the opportunity to meet people from around the world, share traditions, learn from one another, and build meaningful friendships across cultures.

Travelling is another passion for us as a family. Whenever we have holidays, we enjoy discovering new countries, visiting beautiful places in the sunshine, and experiencing different ways of life.

I also enjoy activities that bring people together, which is one reason I have loved being involved in Walk & Talk. Creating friendly spaces where people can connect, share ideas, and feel part of a community is something I genuinely value.

References

Lulat, Y. G.-M. (2005). A History of African Higher Education from Antiquity to the Present. NY, USA: ABC-CLIO.