Time setter story: Stefania Monni on antennas and radar technology

Trade secrets

Stefania is a senior scientist at TNO’s Radar Technology department, where she leads the antenna team. ‘It is sometimes difficult to share results of our work due to industry confidentiality. For me, this actually proves the importance of my work. The impact is so significant or relevant, that results must be protected. I am particularly in awe of the achievements of my colleagues. The technical competence and the strong bond we have are remarkable. Recently, at an international conference, the TNO antenna team was indicated as setting the reference for a certain technology. I felt very proud at that moment.’

New challenges in radar technology

Stefania obtained her Masters in Electronic Engineering in Italy. She joined TNO as a student: during her PhD in Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Eindhoven. ‘By applying science, we can solve problems and have true impact on people's lives. That made me want to work at TNO. The work keeps changing and challenging me, so I never left!’

‘Antenna technology for radar applications has captured my fascination for over twenty years. When I started at TNO in 2001, this technology used to be specialised for defense systems. Thanks to advances in mobile and satellite communication, there is now broad interest in this technology. This means we get to work with a wide range of clients – enabling us to develop the technology faster thanks to multidisciplinary collaboration. Also, manufacturing technologies keep evolving, allowing us to tackle our challenges in new ways.’

Development at TNO

‘Over the years I have held various roles at TNO, from scientist to project manager. Currently I lead a team of ten people. It is important to keep learning and growing, and I see it as my responsibilty to support my team in their development. In turn, my younger colleagues remind me how important it is to have fun in what we do.’

Combination of roles

‘In addition to my work as scientist, I am a part-time professor at Eindhoven University. I really enjoy the interaction with students. Their freshness, enthusiasm and ingenuity help me look at problems from a new perspective. I think it is important to be open for contributions from everyone: from the youngest student to the oldest professors. That is how you foster innovation. It is important to recognise that different approaches are valuable and that diversity contributes to innovation.’

Models of strength

‘I am insecure by nature. Common portrayals of role models as confident and authoritative can send a misleading message. Many women struggle with self-doubt, take on responsibility for problems, and seek conflict-avoiding, conciliatory solutions—qualities often mistaken for weakness. Similarly, their emotional language is often misjudged as immature. As a result, women often have to work harder to overcome biases and prove their abilities.'

'Sharing stories of success achieved through what is perceived as 'weakness' is key to breaking these stereotypes. In my career, I met a few extraordinarily competent and inspiring, yet very humble people, men and women, who taught me to stay close to myself, and particularly fantastic women, who dared to show their vulnerabilities in public, becoming for me true models of strength.’

Superpower

‘At TNO we work on innovation. This is definitely not a repetitive job: you need to find new ways, engage with customers, challenge them. And if one way does not work, we need to find another. The strength to overcome challenges comes from pursuing your passion. Stay determined, be humble enough to acknowledge mistakes and grow from them, consider advice from others, but ultimately carve your own path. And find your own special quality: this will be your superpower!’