theculturalconnect.com | Pablo Rodriguez Rodriguez

Company

Microsoft Research

Website

www.research.microsoft.com/~pablo

Name

Pablo Rodriguez Rodriguez, 34, Research Scientist

Hometown

Asturias. Spain

Current residence

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Education

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne (Ph.D.)
King’s College, London (M.S. Thesis)
Telecommunications Engineer, Pamplona. Spain (M.S./B.S.)

Other jobs

2003-present Microsoft Research
2002-2003 Bell-Labs, New Jersey
2000-2002 Two different Silicon Valley startups, California
1997-2000 Institut Eurecom, Nice, France
1999 AT&T, Shannon Lab. Florham Park, New Jersey

Ethnicity

Spanish

About the company

Microsoft was the first software company to create its own computer science research organization - Microsoft Research. There are now 5 labs across the world: Cambridge, United Kingdom; Beijing, Asia; Bangalore, India; Silicon Valley & Redmond, United States. Microsoft Research is the part of Microsoft that focuses on long term innovation and research. We take on a variety of projects, from contributing to thrilling XBOX distributed games, to developing the next generation Peer-to-Peer networks, creating super-fast long-reaching Wireless communication systems, and looking at how Biological systems can be used to improve computing and vice versa.

Most of our work is geared towards advancing the state of the art in the areas of computer science and telecommunications. We spend a large amount of our time doing research, presenting our work in conferences and making it publicly available, exchanging ideas with other researcher centers and universities, etc.

We also spend a fraction of our time brainstorming with the product groups in Redmond, which provide us with continuous research challenges and new directions to submerge into.

What are your responsibilities?

My main responsibility is to do leading research in areas of Internet communications, Wireless systems, and very large and complex distributed networks.

Largely, I work on mechanisms that work behind the scenes on the Internet to prevent it from melting down under extreme loads (e.g. flash-crowd events), and under severe forms of cyber attacks.

I am also responsible for designing solutions to distribute vast amount of digital content to millions of users, enabling an on-line, “always-ON” VCR system that archives all digital content and makes it accessible from anywhere in the planet.

Most notable milestones

I received the French “Prix de la Recherche” in year 2000 and was awarded the category of “Extraordinary Scientist” by the US government on the same year.

What’s your niche?

I have worked in California, New York City, Nice (France), London (UK), and Spain.

I am the only Spanish researcher at the European Microsoft Research Lab, and one of three Spanish Microsoft researchers world-wide.

Being Latino has always helped me, e.g. in leading projects, bridging different cultures, bringing people together, having passion on your everyday work, and putting a smile to everything.

Microsoft Research is also undoubtedly the best place for doing research in computer science in the world right now, and that always helps.

What's in store for the future?

This summer I am organizing a conference in Pisa, Italy that will bring experts all over the world to discuss the impact that Peer-to-Peer applications can have in the way we watch television.

On the research front, I will soon dive into a project to provide software that makes Internet access cheaper in remote locations. The project will provide optimized communications through the creation of wireless mesh networks, whereby neighbors forward one another’s data and cooperate to extend the range of wireless Internet connectivity and boost their Internet speeds. Such software should significantly improve people’s living in remote areas and rural neighborhoods so they do not miss the Internet revolution.

Unexpected learnings along the way

Joy in life is in the every day’s little details.

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Who would you like to be contacted by?

Other young researchers with similar inquietudes, goals, and ambitions, who would like to share their experiences and discuss the problems they are facing.

I would also like to meet young students and encourage them to continue their careers in the fascinating world of computer science and telecommunications. We have only seen the tip of the iceberg, and the most fun is yet to come.

Best way to stay ahead

Imagination, auto critic, 24x7 curiosity, persistence and a sharp mind.

Guiding principle in life

Try to be the best at something (anything). Put a lot of passion at what you do and never look back.

Yardstick of success

First of all, it is the personal joy and realization that you have completed a well-done job. If you are as critical as we (researchers) often are, this is an unequivocal sign that you are on the good path. Then, success is frequently linked to how much you have influenced the thinking of other researchers, how cited your work is, how many use your ideas, or in general, how you have been able to change the way people live and work.

Goal yet to be achieved

I would like to help improve research and innovation in both Europe and Latin America. There is a lot of talent in these two places and we have the potential to make a great impact, but still a lot to learn from the way that research and development is done in the US.

Best practical advice

Luck does not exist and you should not expect it; instead fight for things.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Mentor

I had different mentors at different points in my career:

Prof. Ernst Biersack (Ph.D. advisor),
Dr. Paul Francis (inventor of the Network Address Translation – NAT box, and co-inventor of the next generation Internet protocol - IPv6)
Vitali Fridman (Software architect in the Silicon Valley and one of the best engineers I have ever met).

Most memorable business experience

Years 2000-2002 in the Silicon Valley, California. I lived through first the hype and then the burst of probably the biggest technological bubble in the history of humanity.

I went through two company mergers and acquisitions but also saw major reorganizations. I could never have thought that things can move so fast.

I enjoyed many moments and have unforgettable experiences. For instance, at my first company (Inktomi), I was part of the first engineering team to deliver a 3G wireless data acceleration solution, which is currently used by to speed up downloads in mobile phones across the world. At my second company (Tahoe Networks), we were known as the ‘dream team’ of the Silicon Valley, however, our only exercise was limited to occasional evening barbecuing.

What motivates you for success?

Curiosity and the power of changing things.

What was your first job?

I do not quite remember very well, but it was either a French billiard player in a Spanish tournament or a private music teacher for composition and harmony.

Like best about what you do

Creativity, the challenge, being able to change the world and of course getting to play with the coolest technologies.

Like least about what you do

Nothing really. If I were able to do the same job somewhere close to the Mediterranean, it would be the dream job.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

By order of preference: A doctor, a singer, a chef.

Biggest pastime outside of work

Cooking for friends and trying new food, painting, listening to a good conversation while sipping some good wine.

Person most interested in meeting

Ferran Adria, the new Picasso of the cuisine. I would love to get a glimpse of his fabulous creativity. Maybe I could throw a pinch of his inspiration into my research...

Leader in business most interested in meeting

I admire Bill Gates for his philanthropic contributions and his technological revolution over the past 25 years. I have met Bill Gates several times through my work at Microsoft, but would love to spend more time talking to him about his new plans to drive the Gates foundation.

Three interesting facts about yourself

I love playing tangos on my accordion.
I speak Spanish, English, French, and some Greek!
When I was a kid I could not roll the R (big problem if your last name is Rodriguez Rodriguez)

Three characteristics that describe you

I am the eternal optimist
I do not accept things until I understand them, but then I become a feverous defendant.
I am a great listener, and I am a good friend of friends

Three greatest passions

Tasting good food and cider pouring in Asturias
Sailing and enjoying the sun across the Mediterranean
Socratic dialectical discussions

Favorite book

I have started many books but finished only a few. Among those, I would pick the “City of Joy”, for its celebration of life and dignifying attitudes.

Favorite cause

The Genographic project, a thrilling adventure about who we are, the human journey, ultimate human history, and to what extend we are different and where we come from.

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Pablo Rodriguez Rodriguez

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