Innovation in the time of COVID-19
How Zaza uses her passion for technology to give back during the pandemic
Zaza Soriano is always looking for problems to solve, whether it’s during her new job with NASA managing data from Earth satellites or with her hobby selling organic raw dog treats. In early 2020, when a global pandemic hit, that was no exception. Seeing the need for innovative solutions to keep people safe, Zaza jumped into a new project by co-founding Pandemic Monitoring Systems.
“I always come up with crazy ideas and this was one that we actually thought could work. If we got it to market soon enough, it could actually help people and businesses reopen. My Dad is a nurse practitioner, so he can actually physically go help and do something for the pandemic. As a programmer, [I thought] ‘what can I do really? Nothing’. So this was my way of giving back.”
Watching her father, a registered nurse, contribute to the frontlines of the pandemic, Zaza wanted to find a way to help battle COVID-19. She and her father worked to develop Pandemic Monitoring Systems, a software system that monitors and aggregates user’s temperatures from smartwatches. These temperature trends can be used to efficiently track employees’ temperatures as they re-enter the workplace, accurately warn users of “illness hotspots,” and effectively convey business’ efforts to maintain safe environments for their staff and customers. While they only started this project a few months ago, they’ve already seen interest from businesses who see the benefit of being able to remotely and anonymously monitor temperatures from a large number of people. They hope to continue growing their company by getting funding and getting more developers involved.
Zaza didn’t always know she’d be able to change the world through tech. After dropping out of high school at 16 and getting her GED, Zaza wanted to pursue a career in the arts, but she soon realized that this wasn’t the best way for her to channel her creativity. Experimenting with web design helped her see that computer engineering was more aligned with her talents. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering. One opportunity that Zaza is grateful for taking advantage of was internships. She advises other women to,
“Do as many different internships as possible to get the most experience and to figure out what you like and don’t know. Don’t settle for something you’re not happy with.”
Zaza is passionate about inspiring women in tech. We are grateful that she’s shared that passion and energy with AnitaB.org, as a chair for our Grace Hopper Celebration Communities Committee, and in her role as a Systers’ Keeper. Zaza has also volunteered with Girls Who Code. She feels that one of the best ways to learn is to take chances. When it came to joining Systers, Zaza was recommended for the position and took a chance. Systers has been an awesome community for Zaza to meet other women and impact the tech community. Zaza hopes to empower others to not be afraid to try.
“ I used to teach Girls Who Code and we would just tell them ‘It’s okay to fail at something. Just try it because you learn from it and then keep going.’… What’s the worst that can happen? You try it out and if you don’t like it, you can [try something new]”
This story was written by Natalia Gutierrez, Wogrammer Journalism Fellow. Connect with her on Linkedin. Support our mission to celebrate more amazing women in tech, like the one featured here, by donating to AnitaB.org.
