Natalia Alexandra Solórzano Paz
Active | PhD in Software Engineering | Computer Science and Engineering Department
Working at the CETL has been an incredibly meaningful experience for my professional, academic, and personal growth. When I first joined the team, many of the goals I was working toward felt very far in the future. Through my research on autonomous trucks and simulation, however, I have had the opportunity to turn many of those goals into real experiences and continuous learning.
Moving between countries, adapting to new environments, and navigating different educational experiences while pursuing my research at CETL has strengthened my discipline, resilience, and determination to keep moving forward. From the first day I arrived in Puerto Rico and joined the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez—our beloved “Colegio”—the CETL team made me feel welcomed and supported.
My work has also allowed me to explore the many physical and environmental factors that contribute to the efficiency and safety of autonomous vehicles, including vehicle dimensions, speed, geographic location, road curvature, predefined routes, automated navigation, and simulation-based testing. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of how research, simulation, and engineering can come together to address real-world transportation challenges.
I am truly grateful to the CETL team for giving me the opportunity to learn, contribute, and continue growing as a researcher. Being part of CETL has been an important chapter in my journey, and I look forward to continuing to develop new ideas and technologies that can contribute to safer and smarter transportation systems.
