ABOUT ME

Hi! I'm Cissa, a professor at the Department of Computer Science (DAC) at Federal University of Lavras (UFLA) in Lavras - Minas Gerais - Brazil.

I hold a PhD in Computer Science from UFSCar, where I specialized in Machine Learning, and had the incredible opportunity to do a doctoral internship at the Katholic University of Leuven (Kortrijik - West Flanders - Belgium). I also earned my Master’s in Computer Science at UFSCar, focusing on Recommendation Systems, and I’m a proud Computer Engineering graduate from Unifev.

My expertise lies in data science and machine learning algorithms. I’m proficient in Python, R, GitHub, GitLab, spaCy, DBeaver, MongoDB, SQL, Conda environments, Apptainer containers, Linux systems and servers, and bash scripting - just to name a few! And yes, I’m fluent in English too.

Since 2001, I’ve been teaching computer science and IT, starting as a private tutor and later coordinating undergraduate and postgraduate programs at UNISAGRADO. I’ve also been deeply involved in extension, innovation, and research projects at UNESP. Guiding students in TCCs, internships, and research has always been a highlight of my career, as well as writing technical articles on topics like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology.

I’m also the founder and leader of #GarotasCPBr, a vibrant women’s tech community. Over the years, I’ve given talks and participated in amazing events like Campus Party Brasil, Fórum Internacional do Software Livre, and Google Women Techmakers. Bringing people together to learn, share, and grow is something I’m deeply passionate about.

Beyond the professional realm, I bring with me life experiences that have shaped who I am today. Growing up, I was always curious about computers and loved helping my parents with their family business. As a volleyball player, I learned the value of teamwork and perseverance - skills that have carried over into every aspect of my life. From working as a hospital receptionist to assisting in a restaurant, these diverse roles taught me adaptability and problem-solving in ways no textbook ever could.

When I’m not teaching or coding, you’ll find me enjoying volleyball, music, singing, gaming, or diving into a good book. Fun fact: I’ve also been part of musical bands and internet radio shows - because why not? Currently, I’m also learning Italian and Japanese, which has been an exciting challenge.

Feel free to reach out: elainececiliagatto@gmail.com