Dr Valentina Donzella is an inspiring expert in automotive sensors, electronics, optics, silicon photonics, modelling, design and testing. She not only holds a PhD in Modelling, Design and Fabrication of Integrated Optical Amplifiers but has 12 years’ academic and industry experience in photonics and sensors, with over 50 papers published to date. As well as leading the ADAS & HAV Sensor subgroup in AESIN. Dr. Donzella’s remarkable achievements and experience has resulted in receiving a Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowship on camera sensors (2020-22).

As designer and Course Leader for the MSc in Smart Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, Dr Donzella manages a suite of MSc modules in automotive sensors, sensor fusion, automotive embedded system V&V and robustness, machine intelligence, human technology interaction and communications. She is committed to strengthening the research-teaching nexus at WMG, and as a part of this commitment she is one of the chairs and organisers of the WMG Researcher Forum.

How did you first become interested in connected and autonomous vehicles?

I love cars and technology, and always have since I was a child. When I was at primary school, one of my favourite TV series was ‘The Night Rider’, where the main character was…an autonomous car! The car was always ready to save its human partner. For me, being able to work in and contribute to the field of autonomous vehicles is like a dream come true!

Why do autonomous vehicles matter to our lives?

For several reasons: they can save lives by avoiding fatal car accidents; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; provide us with free time (there won't be any need to actively drive during our commutes); and enable elderly or disabled people to comfortably travel amongst many other benefits. My expertise is within Intelligent Vehicle Sensors. I am so fascinated by how vehicles perceive the environment and how challenging this task is for autonomous travel. If you’d like to know more have a look here or on my Industrial Fellowship page 

How is your job rewarding?

I love my job for many reasons. Firstly, I feel a great sense of accomplishment whenever a student tells me that I have inspired them. This is the very aim of the MSc programme - to inspire and produce future leaders in the autonomous vehicles sector. Autonomy is a fast paced field, which is constantly evolving. I have to keep on top of the latest developments in the field. This continuous learning is something I greatly enjoy and I'm able to share the latest knowledge with my students on the MSc programme. What's more, I have some fantastic colleagues and it's exciting to be able to carry out cutting-edge research in our WMG Intelligent Vehicles group.

What’s the most important part of teaching?

Developing the critical thinking and making sure the classroom is an inclusive environment, where everyone feels free to express their opinions. I am looking forward to listening to your fantastic ideas next academic year!

What are your interests outside of work?

Spending quality time with my two daughters and my husband, I do like sports (ice skating, running, skiing, sailing, swimming) and I love music, science fiction and travels (I have lived in Italy, Canada, UK and USA)!

I do like cooking too.. Italian rigorously!