Women in Research #LINO75: Montserrat Ramirez De Angel

Montserrat from Mexico is a PhD candidate at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Her research focuses on intelligent wearable technologies for assistive applications. She integrates magnetic skin, wearable sensing, human-centred hardware design and AI to develop platforms that improve interaction, accessibility and support for people with disabilities.

Montserrat participates in the 75^th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting (#LINO75 – Interdisciplinary).

Enjoy the interview with Montserrat and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a cardeer in science / in your discipline?

My background is in bionic engineering. To be honest, my first major interest was medicine, but I also loved mathematics. I wanted to pursue something that combined my curiosity about the human body with my interest in numbers, systems, and engineering. Bionic engineering became the perfect balance between these worlds. Later, I became increasingly drawn to biomedical applications and body-related technologies, especially wearable devices that can interact closely with human movement and function.
Who are your role models?

I do not have one specific role model, but I deeply admire people who have contributed beautifully to humanity. One example is Carl Sagan. I remember learning about the Voyager probes and the Golden Record, and even now, that story makes me feel grateful to be alive. I admire people who are able to combine knowledge, imagination, and a deep sense of responsibility toward humanity.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

I am the first person in my family to pursue graduate studies and an academic path, and it has been a very fulfilling journey. I feel honored to be part of an institution that encourages students not only to pursue scientific research, but also to develop their passions and personal strengths. KAUST has offered me opportunities to gain experience, both technically and personally. I have been able to gain scientific skills, soft skills, and international exposure through competitions, boot camps, and conferences. I am also grateful to my advisor, who has encouraged me to try new things, challenge myself, and step outside my comfort zone.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

One of the coolest projects I have worked on was the use of magnetic skin for voice disorders. It was my first application of magnetic skin, and it was fascinating to see how changes in a magnetic field represented the lip movements and then translated into speech. This project allowed me to apply knowledge from anatomy, biomechanics, and wearable sensing in a very meaningful way. It was especially rewarding because it connected concepts I had always wanted to use in practice with a real application that could support people with communication difficulties.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

I felt immense pride during my first international conference, IEEE Barocas in 2023. We presented a live demonstration of our system, which detected magnetic field changes from small magnetic skin patches attached near the lower lip. These signals were then processed by artificial intelligence and translated into visual and audible words. By the end of the competition, we won second place among many impressive projects. It was my first time presenting my work at an international event, surrounded by researchers and universities from around the world, and it made me realize how far the project had come.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

I feel incredibly grateful for my current circumstances. I live on a safe campus next to the sea, surrounded by a multicultural community and excellent facilities. My working day usually starts around 8 a.m., and I am fortunate to work in a very friendly building. At the moment, my work is computer-based, so I spend less time in the lab than before. Since I live close to campus, I can often go home and cook lunch during the day. After work, my afternoons usually include exercise. I enjoy running, swimming, and playing pickleball. I usually end the day by having dinner at home or gathering with friends to eat and watch an episode together.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

One of my dreams has been to contribute to the work of an NGO or a specialized intergovernmental agency, such as one connected to the United Nations. I have always felt that I could contribute meaningfully to projects focused on rehabilitation, healthcare access, and technologies for remote or underserved areas. Although I have not yet actively pursued this direction, it remains something I would like to explore in the future. I hope my work can eventually contribute to technologies that are not only scientifically interesting but also accessible and useful to people who need them most.
What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

I love travelling. I am a backpacker, and so far, I have explored around fifty-five countries. I enjoy taking my running shoes with me, discovering cities on foot, visiting coffee shops, looking for stationery stores, wandering through local neighborhoods, and recording small videos of everyday life in each place. Travelling gives me a sense of perspective, curiosity, and connection with diverse ways of living.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

Go for it. I do not believe any field should feel restricted or inaccessible. We can contribute in many different ways, and our creativity is one of the sources of the future. It is normal to feel unsure sometimes, but uncertainty should not stop us from trying. What is the worst that can happen? Even when things do not go as expected, the journey itself brings growth, experience, and new opportunities.
In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

One of the next significant breakthroughs in biomedical engineering will come from the integration of wearable technologies, soft bio interfaces, and artificial intelligence. We are moving toward devices that can sense the body in more natural and unobtrusive ways, interpret complex physiological signals, and provide personalized feedback in real time. This could be especially powerful in rehabilitation, remote healthcare, and assistive technologies. I believe the future will bring systems that are not only accurate and intelligent, but also comfortable, accessible, and designed around the daily lives of the people who use them.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

We need to create opportunities for exposure, mentorship, and confidence-building at every stage. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we will not get the position, the opportunity, or even a positive answer, and I have also doubted my own capabilities at times. However, every time I tried, even when the answer was no or I faced rejection, I gained experience and became more prepared for the next opportunity.

Visibility also matters. It never hurts to be seen, to apply, to present, and to share our work. Often, someone in the audience notices our potential and opens a door we did not expect. To increase the number of female scientists and professors, we need supportive environments, strong mentors, fair opportunities, and more visible examples of women succeeding in science. Representation helps younger women imagine themselves in those spaces.