We are delighted to announce that Lecturer and Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Research Fellow Dr Nidhi Simmons and Post-doctoral Researcher Dr Zarah Mobini, members of the Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI) within the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, have been named in the Women in 6G™ “100 Brilliant and Inspiring Women in 6G” List in February 2025 in recognition of their notable contributions to the future of wireless technology.

Dr Nidhi Simmons

Dr Simmons is leading efforts to enhance the reliability and performance of 6G systems through tailored machine learning solutions. Supported by the RAEng, her work has made significant progress – including the development of a custom learning algorithm that achieved a 100x reliability improvement in a wireless system compared to traditional methods. These studies have laid the foundation for applying ML solutions to more complex 6G challenges, such as multi-user, multi-resource allocation, and earned her the EPSRC New Investigator Award (NIA). To date, she has secured approximately £900k in funding from the RAEng (2020–2026) and the EPSRC's NIA Scheme (2025–2028) to support this work. Her advancements in ultra-reliable communications are set to enable transformative applications such as autonomous vehicles, remote surgery, and immersive technologies in future 6G networks.

Dr Zarah Mobini

Dr Mobini is advancing the development of cell-free massive MIMO systems that promise seamless, energy-efficient connectivity by removing traditional cell boundaries. Her research addresses the growing demands of mobile connectivity by moving beyond conventional cellular systems. Her work in physical-layer security focuses on protecting wireless signals from eavesdropping and unauthorised access, while her research in integrated sensing and communication combines communication with environmental sensing to pave the way for smarter cities, healthcare systems, e-transport, autonomous vehicles, smart manufacturing, and immersive technologies. With over 60 publications and more than 660 citations, her contributions have significantly advanced spectral and energy efficiency, security, and the development of future 6G networks.

This dual recognition not only celebrates individual excellence but also underscores the commitment of both the Centre for Wireless Innovation and the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science to innovation, collaboration, and the evolving potential of 6G technologies. We congratulate Dr Simmons and Dr Mobini on their achievements and look forward to the exciting breakthroughs they will undoubtedly continue to bring to the field of wireless communications.

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For further information on Athena SWAN at EEECS, please contact our SWAN champions Dr Ciara Rafferty and Dr Ayesha Khalid.