The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), a leading global scientific research center and the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has announced several key appointments to its research leadership. These appointments reflect TII’s commitment to advancing scientific research and driving technological innovation across its ten specialized research centers.
Dr. Elias Tsoutsanis has taken on the role of Acting Chief Researcher at the Propulsion and Space Research Center (PSRC). With over 20 years of experience in gas turbine performance simulation, control, diagnostics, and AI-driven solutions, Dr. Tsoutsanis holds a PhD from Cranfield University. He has worked in academia across Greece, Qatar, the UK, and the UAE, and he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Prof. Enrico Natalizio has been appointed Chief Researcher of TII’s Autonomous Robotics Research Center (ARRC). Prof. Natalizio brings extensive expertise in UAV communications, networking, and IoT architectures for disaster management and infrastructure inspection. He holds a PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Calabria (Italy) and has held academic and research positions at Georgia Tech, Inria Lille, Université de technologie de Compiègne, and Université de Lorraine.
Dr. Felix Vega has been appointed Acting Chief Researcher of the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC). Dr. Vega has extensive experience in directed energy technologies and has held senior research positions in international institutions, driving innovation in this field. Dr. Vega also holds a double PhD from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne as well as Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Dr. Victor Mateu has been appointed Acting Chief Researcher of the Cryptography Research Center (CRC). With a specialization in cryptographic protocols, zero-knowledge proofs, and post-quantum cryptography, Dr. Mateu’s work is shaping the future of secure communication and data protection technologies. He also holds a PhD in Cryptography and Information Security from Universitat de Lleida.
Prof. Vincenzo Giannini has been appointed Chief Researcher of the Advanced Materials Research Center. His research focuses on light-matter interactions, plasmonics, nanophotonics, and metamaterials. Prof. Giannini earned his PhD from the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid and has held academic positions at Imperial College London and CSIC, where he founded a research group in Condensed Matter Theory.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, stated: “These appointments represent a significant step forward in our mission to push the boundaries of scientific research and technological innovation. Each of these leaders brings exceptional expertise and a proven track record in their respective fields. With their leadership, TII is well-positioned to pioneer breakthroughs that will shape the future of global technology. I am confident their contributions will accelerate our research capabilities, reinforce our commitment to excellence, and drive impactful, forward-thinking solutions that address the most pressing challenges of our time.”