Silvia Figueira Promoted to Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
Silvia Figueira, who joined the SCU faculty in 1998, was recently promoted to the rank of full professor, Computer Science and Engineering.
Silvia received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil, and her Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego. She has published over 70 papers and has established several collaborations with both companies in Silicon Valley and social entrepreneurs in the United States and abroad.
Silvia teaches courses in the areas of programming, operating systems, and networks broadly defined, and has created or recreated a number of courses. Her scholarship has evolved from performance modeling and prediction, to energy-efficient computing, to humanitarian engineering. Silvia is also Director of the Frugal Innovation Hub, transforming the former Frugal Innovation Lab into a clearinghouse that connects ideas for projects, groups interested in solving problems, and funding sources to develop solutions to allow underserved populations to make sustainable improvements in their lives. Under her leadership, the Frugal Innovation Hub has become internationally known, hosting many visitors each year, and creating a constant and strong presence at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference,
Over the years, Silvia Figueira has received multiple awards. In 2006, the SCU School of Engineering Teaching Excellence Award. In 2014, the SCU President's Recognition Award, and the National Center for Women & Technology Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award. In 2015, Silvia was selected as one of the 100 women to receive the INSIGHT into Diversity 2015 Inspiring Women in STEM Award. And in 2016, she received the SCU Brutocao Award for Teaching Excellence.