From designing orbital tracks for NASA space rockets, to expanding Virtual Reality, Ghanaian-American engineer Mary Spio stands at the cutting each of multiple tech frontiers. Her patented technologies are used to digital release feature films over satellite, becoming a groundbreaking advance for the media industry. Now Spio has turned her talents to developing Virtual Reality as the founder of CEEK VR, expanding VR applications by developing immersive social platforms. Ahead of her presentation at the upcoming Black Tech Week (February 15 – February 19) in Miami, the National Weekly spoke with Spio about her past inspirations and future plans.
How did you come up with the concept for your company CEEK VR?
Virtual Reality has always been something I’ve been passionate about, and I felt strongly that there was a need for building VR applications outside of gaming. It’s a chance to align my passions with my particular expertise.
How did you get started in the tech industry? Did you have any mentors?
I didn’t get my first mentor until I went to Syracuse University after serving in the Air Force. I felt like I didn’t fit in, because I was an older student, working three jobs and wasn’t as exposed as the others to programming. I was so discouraged that I was going to change my major, when I met Engineer Department Dean Lori Hunter. She was an engineer and an African-American woman, and that was the first time I met someone in the field who look like me. When she heard how I felt she started a program with 15 of us that still there today, providing support for students from financially challenged background. With her help I ended up graduating number one in my class. It just goes to show that with the right support, we were able to not just survive, but excel.
What has been your most memorable project so far in your career?
Definitely coming up with the technology I got a patent for. Being a part of the annals of global history feels like an out-of-body experience. Knowing you did something that changed the entire industry really gives you the confidence to do other things.
What would you recommend to black students, particularly immigrants, interested in getting involved in the tech industry?
Don’t let anybody tell you you’re less because you sound different. Trust your instinct. I was fortunate that my parents trusted my judgement and supported me. I understand the pressure in immigrant families to do something safe and traditional. But I truly believe that life is whatever we imagine it to be. When I was writing my book, “It’s Not Rocket Science – 7 Game-Changing Traits for Achieving Uncommon Success,” I wanted to get to the foundation to what it takes to have uncommon kind of greatness. And the biggest takeaway is to have faith in yourself. You also have to understand that technology isn’t about writing code. Technology is a tool. Whatever you do, think about how you can use technology. Whether you’re a nurse, a social worker or an architect, technology is in everything.
