Veronica Muriga

I am a PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. I am a wireless communications systems researcher advised by Prof. Swarun Kumar. My research at the WiTech Lab focuses on building low-cost, low-bandwidth satellite communication and sensing systems. Outside of research, I enjoy running and playing soccer. My website lives at this link.

Can you tell me about your research interests and focus?
My research focuses on building systems for rural communities, by bridging the compute and connectivity gap that hinders access to reliable and affordable communication networks in remote and underprivileged areas of the world. Specifically, I investigate developing satellite-based systems, such as an emergency alert system built on top of existing satellite networks.

What are the research accomplishments that you are most proud of?
I am proud of successfully demonstrating a long-range emergency alert protocol that operates with minimal power, potentially saving lives in areas without cellular coverage. My paper is currently in submission, but working through the various challenges of that project was a rewarding moment.

Can you tell me about the work culture and environment at CMU?
The culture at CMU, and specifically within the WiTech Lab, is intensely collaborative and driven by a “build-it” mentality. My peers are incredibly brilliant, yet with a sense of community.  The environment in my lab pushes you to be your best while providing the support system to get there. At times, the intense workload and high expectations can be overwhelming, and over time I have learned to build in time and ways to recharge and maintain perspective.

Can you share a little known fact about yourself?
I enjoy reading both fiction and nonfiction. My favorite author is Chimamanda Adichie. I also really enjoy reporting-style books such as Breakneck and Careless People.