Scenexus is proud to welcome Christina Zymari to the team. Christina joined Scenexus one month ago as a Data Specialist, where she works on configuring and integrating data for digital twin set-ups.
We asked Christina a few questions to get to know her better.
If you had to introduce yourself in one sentence, what would you say you do?
I’m a data specialist with a background in computer science, geography, and archaeology, working on configuring and integrating data for digital twin cities.
What’s a detail about you that colleagues wouldn’t guess from your CV?
I’m a very curious person. I’ve studied three different disciplines in two different countries, worked in multiple jobs around the world, and I always strive to learn and experience something new.
What’s one personal value or principle you try to bring into your work every day?
Challenge everything and always try to find a better way.
What first pulled you toward data, spatial thinking, and problem-solving?
It started with my bachelor’s in computer science, where I focused on problem solving and understanding the theory behind data structures and algorithms. I then decided to double major in geography, wanting to put these theoretical concepts into practice using GIS to help solve urban issues spatially.
This interest deepened during my master’s in digital archaeology, where I worked with large archaeological datasets, finding patterns and connecting them back to theory and the broader archaeological context.
You’ve worked and studied in the US. What did that experience teach you that still influences how you work today?
Studying in the US, the level of education was very high. It instilled a strong sense of discipline and taught me to work hard. The competitive environment pushed me to seek out opportunities beyond coursework, such as internships and personal projects, something I still actively do today.
Professionally, working both for a state GIS department and a large utilities company taught me how to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams and communicate across departments. I also learned to be creative in my problem solving by working with different software tools and complex challenges.
What’s a ‘US vs Europe’ difference you noticed in how teams collaborate or make decisions?
Rather than a US vs Europe difference, I see a clear contrast between working at a large utilities company and working at a small startup. At Scenexus, the work I do has an immediate impact. Data I compile can be used in a demo the following week, and client data can be configured and visualized in our platform almost right away.
This fast pace and lack of middle management means things move quickly and efficiently.
You have an international background. What has that given you?
Having lived in Greece, the US, and the Netherlands, I’ve experienced different cultures and ways of living, and met people from all over the world. These experiences gave me a fearless attitude toward working and studying abroad, including conducting fieldwork in places like Italy and Cyprus.
They’ve broadened my worldview, made me more openminded, and helped me communicate and collaborate with many different types of people in diverse work environments.
What made you choose Scenexus, and what sealed the decision?
Scenexus offers the perfect intersection of my background in computer science, geography, and GIS, combined with my desire to work on something meaningful: improving cities.
What were your first impressions during your first week? Anything that surprised you?
The team was incredibly welcoming. The working environment felt safe and collaborative, and I was able to hit the ground running with interesting and varied work.
What’s been the most interesting problem you’ve worked on so far?
Two stand out so far:
For someone outside our field: what does “data onboarding” actually mean in practice?
It means collecting relevant data from different sources, cleaning it, configuring it to answer a specific question, and integrating it into our platform so it can generate useful insights.
Where do you see your work making the biggest difference for clients?
Insight. We take the data that’s provided or collected and use it in a way that reveals new results and perspectives based on our decisions and models.
What’s your favorite Scenexus habit or ritual so far?
How open everyone is to helping each other, even when they’re busy, and the lunchtime walks in The Hague’s nearby forest park: the Haagse Bos.