Nöbetçi Eczaneler
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Sona Guliyeva. I am a researcher working at the intersection of aerospace technologies, ecology, and sustainable development. Simply put, I am one of those who transform large datasets obtained from space into solutions that make our planet safer and more sustainable.
I am drawn to connecting different worlds: technology with human needs, precise data with living cities, nature with people. I have always been interested not only in how a system works, but why it works and how it benefits society.
Although my professional field is aerospace, internally I see myself as a researcher of meaning. I care about the real-world changes behind numbers, the human stories behind algorithms, and the living spaces that appear as “homes” on maps.
I believe modern aviation and space are not only about speed, altitude, and technology but also about responsibility, sustainability, and care for the future of our planet. That is why projects involving environmental monitoring, safety, risk management, and urban development feel especially close to me because in these fields, technology stops being abstract and begins serving humanity directly.
As a woman in a technical environment, I value quiet and steady strength: maintaining professionalism, showing respect to oneself and others, and building dialogue and collaboration. For me, real leadership is not about control; it is about creating space for others to grow.
Continuous learning, expanding horizons, stepping beyond familiar boundaries while staying true to personal values, these are essential to me. Countries, projects, and recognition are simply natural outcomes of this inner journey.
Where and when were you born? Can you describe your family background?
I was born on 15 September 1994 in Baku, a sunny, multicultural city on the coast of the Caspian Sea. Growing up in a place where cultures, languages, and histories intersect taught me early on that the world is multi-voiced and instilled respect for diversity and openness to new ideas.
I was the youngest child in a family where traditional values, respect for elders, and mutual support were central. There were no scientists in my family, but there was another kind of wealth: hard work, honesty, and inner resilience.
My father is a retired major who worked as a firefighter, so I grew up with discipline, order, and responsibility. My mother is a homemaker; she taught us patience, kindness, and care for others.
My surroundings were always diverse, from doctors to pilots to entrepreneurs and creatives. This taught me early respect for different life paths. One of the greatest influences in my education was my grandfather, a World War II veteran who worked as a dental technician until his final years. He taught me independence and respect for labor.
When did you enter the aviation and space sector?
My entry into aerospace began during my master’s studies, when I started working systematically with satellite data and Earth observation technologies. That’s when I realized that technologies which seem distant from daily life actually have a direct impact on the environment and people’s quality of life.
This became a conscious choice to grow in a field where engineering thinking, data analysis, and real-world impact intersect. The ability of satellite technologies to support environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and decision-making fascinated me deeply.
It was not a sudden change of direction, but a natural continuation of my interest in systematic thinking and interdisciplinary work. From that point on, aerospace became not just a profession but a space for continuous learning and growth.
Which organizations have you worked with?
My professional path combines industry, education, and international projects. I have always valued seeing the full journey from data and technology to real-world application and impact.
A key period in my career was working at Azercosmos, the Azerbaijan Space Agency. There, I contributed to national projects in GIS, specialist training, and Earth observation. I worked on solutions for environmental monitoring and climate data analysis, and participated in educational programs promoting space technologies.
Alongside industry experience, I maintained a strong academic path. After my master’s degree, I lectured at the National Aviation Academy, and served as a visiting lecturer at the France-Azerbaijan University (UFAZ), teaching GIS and remote sensing.
Today, I live in Italy, where I am pursuing my PhD at Politecnico di Torino, while also teaching and supervising master’s theses. I actively participate in international scientific collaborations. In addition, I serve as a member of the Space Education Committee of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), contributing to global educational initiatives and professional cooperation.
Earlier, I also worked in industry at SOCAR (Azerbaijan State Oil Company), focusing on environmental analysis and GIS-based solutions. This experience helped me deeply understand how engineering solutions operate in real production environments.
This multi-dimensional background, spanning industry, space agencies, universities, and international projects, allows me to approach the sector holistically and communicate effectively with engineers, researchers, and decision-makers alike.
How did your move to Italy come about?
My move to Italy emerged at the intersection of a professional opportunity and a readiness for change.
Since late 2023, I have been pursuing my PhD at Politecnico di Torino, living in Turin, one of Europe’s leading cities with a rich aerospace heritage.
I relocated after receiving a scholarship and joining an innovative project developing a digital twin of the city of Turin, supported by Italy’s national innovation program PNRR. This was a natural continuation of my scientific journey and an opportunity to enter a broader international academic environment.
The relocation was not only a professional challenge but a personal one. A new country means a different language, administrative system, communication culture, and rhythm of life. Everything, from daily routines to professional relationships, must be rebuilt. The biggest challenges were language, bureaucracy, cultural differences, and moments of loneliness. The most difficult aspect was starting an independent life far from family, having grown up in a traditional Caucasian family environment. It was a conscious decision to choose my own path despite social expectations and inner fears.
When was your first flight?
Professionally speaking, my first real “flight” happened when I began my master’s studies in space monitoring at the National Aviation Academy.
Interestingly, this flight did not take place in a cockpit but in front of a computer screen. It was the moment when satellite data gradually transformed into a living image of Earth. When rivers, cities, agricultural fields, and landscapes appeared on the screen, I felt as if I were seeing the planet through a satellite’s eyes.
A strong sense of scale and responsibility emerged: technology operating in space was helping people on Earth make better decisions, reduce risks, and protect nature. It was the discovery of a new dimension, seeing Earth not from street level, but from orbit, as a living interconnected system.
That moment became my inner starting point. I realized that “flight” in aerospace is not only physical movement, but the ability to rise above complex systems, see the bigger picture, and build solutions. That is when I found my professional language, the language of geographic information systems and my conscious journey began.
Have you experienced a moment where you thought: “I made it”?
Yes and interestingly, this feeling is not always tied to awards or titles. The true “I did it” moment comes when something you worked on stops being just an idea or a pilot project and begins functioning in real life, supporting decisions, shaping education, or transforming management approaches.
One of the strongest moments was seeing our project results being used as real tools for environmental monitoring and educational programs. At that point, you realize that your work no longer belongs only to you; it has become part of a larger system and real life. That is deeply motivating.
The year 2023 was also special internationally. I received the Young Pioneer Award at the International Astronautical Congress and represented Azerbaijan as the only recipient from our region in the event’s history. The same year, I was awarded a research and education scholarship in Italy, opening an entirely new chapter in both my professional and personal growth.
Another milestone was being ranked 3rd among the Top 100 Women in Aerospace & Aviation 2025, one of the world’s most respected global recognitions in the sector.
Yet for me, the deepest meaning of success lies in the inner confidence that I am on the right path, growing honestly, and staying true to my values. When that integrity exists, external achievements gain real meaning, not as an endpoint, but as gateways to further growth.
What has been your most interesting moment in aviation or space?
One memorable moment happened when I was working as a GIS instructor at Azercosmos and teaching at the National Aviation Academy. During a live radio interview, the host suddenly asked:
“So, how do you train astronauts?”
There was a brief silence in the studio. The question reflected how space is still perceived as distant, associated only with rockets and spacesuits. I smiled and replied:
“Actually, we are astronauts too — just on Earth. We observe the planet from space, but we do it from here.”
I explained that our work is to look at Earth from orbit, see systems as a whole, detect changes, read the planet’s signals, and transform them into understandable solutions for people. We may not physically go to space, but every day we work with space through data, models, and analytical tools.
Most importantly, we pass these skills to the next generation, people who can think broadly, work with knowledge, recognize connections, and apply space technologies to real-world challenges.
That moment was special because it removed the invisible boundary between “space” and everyday life. Space stopped being abstract and became a living tool serving humanity here and now.
What would you like to see in the future of aviation and space?
I would like to see a future that is more sustainable and more human-centered. Technology is advancing rapidly, but progress must serve society and the planet, not exist for its own sake.
One key direction is the deeper integration of space data into everyday decision-making, from city planning and environmental monitoring to risk management and emergency response.
Another important axis is AI-driven data automation. Satellite data volumes are growing exponentially, and without intelligent algorithms, it is impossible to transform raw data into knowledge and knowledge into decisions. The future belongs to systems that help humans see the bigger picture and make more responsible choices.
I also strongly believe in open data and interoperability, different countries, platforms, and institutions speaking the same technological language, sharing knowledge, and solving global challenges together, from climate change to crisis response.
But above all, the future of aviation and space is directly connected to people and education. We need a new generation of specialists who understand technology, data, natural processes, and societal impacts simultaneously.
That is why I believe we must educate the next generation of “astronauts on Earth.”