Larissa Suzuki facts for kids

Larissa Suzuki, also known as Lara Suzuki, is a super smart scientist and engineer. She is from Brazil, Italy, and Britain. She works as a university professor, computer scientist, and inventor. She even advises governments! Besides her amazing work in tech, she is also a talented pianist and violinist.

Larissa works at Google as a Technical Director. She helps lead the way in new ideas for AI. She is also a visiting researcher at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. There, she helps build the Interplanetary Internet, which is like the internet for space! She also teaches at top universities like University College London, Oxford University, and Harvard University.

Early Life and Learning

Larissa Suzuki grew up in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Her family was full of engineers and scientists. When she was 15, she started studying music at the Universidade de Ribeirão Preto.

After a year, she decided to switch to Computer Science. She was even named the best student in her class by the Brazilian Computer Society!

Helping Detect Cancer

Larissa then started a master's degree in Electrical Engineering. For her master's project, she created new ways to find breast cancer early. Her work helped reduce the amount of radiation patients needed by 20% to 30%. This was a big step in making cancer detection safer.

In 2015, Larissa earned her PhD in Computer Science from University College London. Her research was all about making "smart cities."

Amazing Career

Larissa Suzuki is a key member of the Office of the CTO at Google. She is also a Google AI Principles Ethics Fellow. This means she helps make sure AI is used in fair and safe ways.

She is also a Visiting Researcher at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She was part of a team that made a huge achievement: connecting clouds using a special network for space.

Larissa continues her academic work as a professor at UCL. She used to be the UK Head of AI, Analytics and Data Management for Google. She also held important roles at companies like Oracle and IBM.

Building Smart Cities

Larissa's PhD research was groundbreaking for Smart Cities. She helped create a plan for how cities could use data better. Her ideas were used to design urban platforms for over 40 cities across Europe! Imagine cities that use technology to make life better for everyone.

Helping Others in Tech

In 2012, Larissa started the UCL Society of Women Engineers. She also helped create the Anita Borg Institute London Branch. These groups help support women in engineering and technology. She also reviews grants and awards for important engineering groups. She helps decide which new projects and engineers get support.

Awards and Honors

Larissa Suzuki has received many important awards for her work. She is recognized as a top engineer and scientist.

In 2022, she was named one of the Top 50 Women in European Tech. She was also featured in the Financial Times and named Woman of the Year by the Women in IT Awards.

Engineer of the Year

In 2021, she won the "Engineer of the Year Award." This award recognized her amazing contributions to science and engineering. Her work has even been included in a list of "95 inspiring engineers and technologists."

She also received the "Rooke Award 2021" from the Royal Academy of Engineering. This was for her work promoting engineering to others. It also recognized her efforts in developing the Interplanetary Internet and Smart Cities.

Larissa also holds the Freedom of the City of London. This is an old and special honor given to people who have made a big difference. She also received the Google Anita Borg Scholarship in 2012. This scholarship helps women who want to study computer science.

Other awards include:

• Winner of Twenty in Data 2020
• WES Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards 2017
• Romberg Grant (Heidelberg Laureate Foundation)
• 100 Next Generation of Women Leaders (McKinsey)
• Doctoral Student Honour Fellowship 2013–2014 (Intel)
• 2013 Architecture and Engineering Prize of the British Federation of Women Graduates