February 11th marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to honoring the achievements and contributions of women in STEM. We are more than proud to join this celebration, standing for the diversity and innovation in the realms of AI and life sciences.

Established in 2017 in Athens, Greece, DEUS has rapidly grown, boasting a diverse team of over 55 “Machinarians” across major Greek cities. Our mission is to leverage AI and ML techniques to expedite scientific discovery and product innovation in Human Health, Nutrition, and Petcare.

As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re happy to spotlight the valuable contributions of some of our female team members and ask them for a small sneak peek into their mindset and journey.

1. Lamprini Vasilaki | FE Function Lead in Software Engineering

Lamprini is a software engineer who specializes in developing scalable and maintainable apps as well as bringing to life intuitive user interfaces and seamless user experiences. Her dedication and hard work have played a pivotal role in shaping the success story of DEUS. She has conquered many challenges while paving the way for her team to flourish and grow. Her immense contribution to the company’s products including the new look and feel, countless features, bug fixes among others are undeniable and deeply appreciated.

Ιnterviewer: Time flies when one is having fun. Counting six years since your first day at DEUS, you are now the lead of the company’s frontend team! How would you describe this journey?

Lamprini:
Embarking on my journey at DEUS in 2017 was a pivotal moment. I could never have imagined that six years later I would be leading the frontend team, an achievement that fills me with joy and gratitude. It has undoubtedly been the most enriching and fulfilling experience of my career, and I couldn’t be more delighted with how far we have come.

2. Nafsika Georgakopoulou | Sr. UI/UX Designer in Product

Nafsika is a graphic and UI/UX professional. Her keen eye for detail ensures consistency and accessibility across our products and has created user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces. Her understanding of user behavior and industry needs has created highly intuitive and engaging experiences.

Ιnterviewer: They say numbers don’t lie. So, here we are with an awe-inspiring record of more than 25 years of experience! What words of wisdom would you impart to a UI/UX newbie?

Nafsika:
UX/UI design is an ever-evolving field, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and trends. Always keep in mind these three questions when designing:

1. What problem am I trying to solve?
2. Who will be the end user?
3. How can I make it simpler and easier to use?

Don’t assume that things are self-explanatory. Oftentimes they’re not, so when in doubt, add helpful texts. Read a lot, experiment a lot, ask for feedback and don’t be afraid to propose out-of-the-box ideas!

Nobody gets it right on their first try. Be kind to yourself, own your mistakes, and learn from them.

3. Sofi Angelakidou | Sr. Product Manager in Product

Sofi is a product manager with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Her in-depth experience in both desktop and SaaS applications has been influential in creating new product features, crafting product strategies and successfully coordinating her team on numerous projects while supporting customers. She continuously stays updated on industry trends to successfully drive product success and the company as a whole.

Ιnterviewer: Being a product manager certainly comes with lots of challenges on multiple fronts such as juggling various expectations from customers, executives, engineers, designers to name just a few. Sofi, if you were to choose the top three skills required to pull it off as a product manager, what would those be?

Sofi:
Being a product manager is definitely a role that comes with lots of challenges and requires both soft and hard skills.

If I had to choose the top skill required that would be communication as it is vital for a role that has to work together with cross-functional teams in order to ensure the best outcome for the customers. A great product manager should also be a problem solver, clearly defining the problem each time, and then trying to solve it in the optimal way. Last but not least, knowing the principles of Agile methodologies and seeking for the frameworks/processes that work best for your team and product complement product managers’ role skills.

4. Thomai Fytili | HR Manager in Operations

Thomai is an HR professional with a Bsc in Economics with a specialization in Business Administration and a MSc in Digital Marketing and e-business. She is in charge of regulating our training initiative, career development plans, evolving evaluations and collecting metrics and stats that have helped create a positive and inclusive working environment. Her effective recruitment strategies have played a crucial role in attracting and retaining top talent in our company thus supporting the overall success of our company.

Ιnterviewer: Thomai, a quite impressive feat of DEUS, based on employees’ feedback in surveys, is the friendly working environment and overall company’s culture. What’s your secret in handling the diversity of personalities within DEUS and keeping them united through thick and thin?

Thomai:
Our biggest asset is us: people who are different, unique, and charismatic. Our different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives always bring something new and exciting to the table and make us realize how important it is to discuss, listen, and appreciate others’ ideas. We learn how to embrace feedback and improve our work. Through respect, our differences bring creativity, and I think this is what makes our working environment both inspiring and friendly.

Οur colleagues’ diverse perspectives and fresh approach have enriched the company’s scientific and technological advancements profoundly. Their constant contributions serve not only as a source of inspiration but also as a reminder that talent and commitment aren’t defined by gender; every one of us has the potential to become a valuable member in science and technology communities.

So, to cut a long story short, only through an inclusive and supportive environment can we hand-in-hand soar ever higher. Here at DEUS, we have embraced this value and are strongly committed to offering everyone a fair chance of personal and professional growth.