This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating two brilliant women driving innovation at the intersection of artificial intelligence and marine sustainability. DeepSense is supporting Robonotic on a groundbreaking project to detect and combat invasive zebra mussels—an effort powered by AI, robotics, and the dedication of an all-female team.

At the heart of this collaboration are two inspiring women: Veronica Romero-Rosales, the co-founder of Robonotic, and Kavya Bhojani, a DeepSense intern contributing to AI-driven environmental solutions.

Veronica: Engineering the Future of Marine Conservation

Veronica is the ultimate multitasking powerhouse, balancing her roles as CEO, CFO, CMO, and COO of Robonotic while pursuing a master’s degree in oceanography at the Université du Québec à Rimouski. Her academic focus on marine ecosystems perfectly complements her background in automated production engineering, allowing her to integrate cutting-edge technology with real-world environmental solutions. Her relentless drive and passion make her a trailblazer in both tech and marine science.

While visiting Lake Témiscouata, Veronica and her co-founder saw firsthand how invasive zebra mussels disrupt ecosystems and damage critical infrastructure. Learning that no solutions existed, they envisioned an autonomous robotic system capable of detecting and neutralizing these invaders. From that vision, Robonotic was born.

Now, DeepSense is working to support Robonotic and bring this vision to life. For Veronica, this partnership isn’t just about AI—it’s about working with the right people. “DeepSense, with its expertise in AI for the maritime world, was the ideal partner to meet our needs,” she says. “What excites me most is the opportunity to collaborate with them at every stage.”

Kavya: From Curiosity to AI Innovation

Behind every groundbreaking innovation are the people making it happen, and for this project, Kavya is one of those key contributors. Kavya, a Master of Applied Computer Science student at Dalhousie University, didn’t initially envision a career in AI. “I kind of stumbled into computer science,” she admits. “I’ve always loved solving puzzles and figuring out how things work, and coding felt like an extension of that.”

For Kavya, working with real-world data and fine-tuning an AI model has been both a challenge and a thrill, making this project an invaluable learning experience. “Being surrounded by experts in marine science, AI, and data analytics has really opened my eyes to how different fields can come together to solve important problems,” she shares.

And working alongside Veronica has been an added bonus. “She brings so much energy to the project, and we always find ways to make even the most technical challenges enjoyable,” says Kavya, emphasizing how collaboration and a positive work environment have made the experience even more rewarding.

Breaking Barriers: The Impact of an All-Women AI Team

In addition to groundbreaking innovation, this project stands out for another reason—the team is exclusively composed of women. In an industry where women remain underrepresented, this is a powerful milestone.

For Veronica, leading an all-women AI team is a source of immense pride. “Among my fellow entrepreneurs, I am the only one in my field who can boast of such a thing!” she says. “It is enriching to exchange ideas with women making a difference in a traditionally male-dominated industry.”

Kavya shares a similar perspective on the importance of representation, explaining, “There’s something special about collaborating with talented, driven women who support each other, share knowledge, and bring fresh perspectives to the table.”

Breaking Into Tech: Advice for Women Paving the Way

Both Veronica and Kavya have encountered challenges in their journeys, but they share a common belief in the power of mentorship, community, and resilience. Veronica recalls the social pressure of proving herself in a male-dominated field and emphasizes how crucial it is to have a support system. “Surrounding myself with other women and male allies has been invaluable. Building a strong network and avoiding isolation are crucial when facing challenges.”

For women pursuing a career in STEM, curiosity and confidence are essential. “Just dive in and explore! Take on projects that excite you, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try things outside your comfort zone,” says Kavya. Veronica echoes this, emphasizing the importance of resilience: “Believe in your potential, surround yourself with allies, and move forward with confidence.”

Their journeys prove that success in tech isn’t about having all the answers upfront—it’s about staying open to learning, taking risks, and embracing challenges head-on.

Rise Together: Support, Innovate, Lead

The collaboration between Robonotic and DeepSense represents more than just innovation—it’s about empowerment, learning, and breaking barriers. Through this project, Veronica and Kavya are not only advancing cutting-edge solutions but also paving the way for the next generation of women in STEM.

To all the women in STEM, keep supporting each other, challenging the status quo, and making history—because when women in STEM break barriers, they don’t just build careers, they build the future.

From all of us at DeepSense, happy International Women’s Day!

Want to dive deeper into the project? Learn more here.