Professor Roberto Sabatini, Director of FALCON Program, Recognized for Leadership in Digital Avionics for Sustainability and Trusted Autonomy.
Khalifa University Professor Roberto Sabatini, Director, FALCON Program, Aerospace Engineering, has been elevated to the prestigious rank of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Fellow, the highest professional honor awarded to only 0.1% of IEEE members annually.
Professor Sabatini is recognized for his ‘leadership in digital avionics for sustainability and trusted autonomy’, according to the IEEE citation. As IEEE Fellow, he will also serve his third consecutive term as Vice-President of Technical Operations for the IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society (AESS).
IEEE is the world’s largest professional engineering organization with over 500,000 members across more than 160 countries. Guided by its mission, ‘Advancing Technology for Humanity’.
Prof. Sabatini, who has over three decades of global experience in aerospace, defense, and geospatial systems, is a founding Co-Editor of the IEEE Press Series on Aeronautics and Astronautics Systems, Editor for Progress in Aerospace Sciences, and Associate Editor for the IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, Robotica, the Journal of Navigation, and Aerospace Science and Technology.
Since joining Khalifa University in 2021, Prof. Sabatini has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have significantly enhanced the University’s reputation as a global leader in aerospace research and education. Under him, Khalifa University established the Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASRG) and the Guidance, Navigation, and Control Laboratory (GNC Lab), pivotal research hubs driving advancements in sustainable aviation, unmanned systems, and intelligent aerospace technologies.
In 2022, Prof. Sabatini was appointed Chair of the Aerospace Research Strategy Committee, where he fostered collaborations with national and international stakeholders to strengthen the innovation ecosystem of the UAE’s aviation and aerospace industries. He currently leads Khalifa University’s FALCON Program, which focuses on transformative areas such as trusted autonomous flight systems, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and integrated air and space traffic management solutions.
Prof. Sabatini’s innovative solutions in fault-tolerant avionics, trusted autonomous flight, and cognitive human-machine systems have cemented his position among leading researchers in aerospace systems. His work aligns with the UAE’s national focus on pioneering advancements in sustainable aviation technologies, advanced air mobility, and commercial spaceflight.
Prof. Sabatini said: “The future lies in our ability to prepare a new generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators. By equipping them with deep domain expertise, interdisciplinary knowledge, and a global mindset, we are building the leaders and pioneers of tomorrow. These recognitions motivate me to continue working towards creating aerospace technologies that transform mobility, connectivity, and sustainability,” he shared. At Khalifa University, I have found a supportive and dynamic environment, as we are able to perform groundbreaking research and champion industry-focused training and innovation initiatives that align with the UAE’s vision for a knowledge-based economy and a sustainable future.”
Clarence Michael
English Editor – Specialist
