Prof. Ing. Marc Anthony Azzopardi is an aerospace electronics engineer by profession and leads several research initiatives, mainly in the areas of small satellites and related systems.
He obtained his Ph.D. in avionics in 2015 from Cranfield University after graduating with an Honours degree in Electrical Engineering, followed by a Masters in Electronic Systems Engineering, both from the University of Malta (UM). He specialized in Intelligent Transport Systems and Computational Air Traffic Management (CATM) based on Swarm Robotics, but has obtained applied interdisciplinary experience in a broad range of other areas over his career.
Following an internship with STMicroelectronics (Malta), he re-joined UM to embark on a research career. Prof Azzopardi has been with the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering ever since, carrying out applied research and was involved in numerous funded projects, several of which are of the commercialization type.
Through collaboration with STMicroelectronics (Catania), he developed low-voltage analogue 180nm CMOS circuits for use in CATV. He was involved in the development of driver/pilot head localization hardware for use in the automotive/aerospace sectors, for point of gaze and eye-blink/saccade measurement. A high performance camera synchronization technique was developed for which Dr Azzopardi holds a PCT patent, granted in several countries. Other work in image sensor cooling, led to further US patent applications in self-optimizing multistage thermoelectric cooling systems.
Prof Azzopardi's current interests involve leveraging advanced electronics for applications in the space sector. In 2015 he set up the Astrionics Research Group to research and develop small satellite technology for use in large constellations, together with the associated ground segment technology using phased arrays. The research is focused on reliability engineering under severe size and cost constraints, and is transferable to several non-aerospace applications.
Prof Azzopardi is a member of the Malta Chamber of Engineers, senior member with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE), senior member with the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and is warranted to practice the Engineering Profession in Malta.
Academic Awards: ================ 2020_Award for Medical Innovation - Ten Outstanding Young People (TOYP), JCI Malta 2020_First Prize - MDIA Award for Innovative Technologies in Response to COVID-19 2011_Best Paper Award, IEEE/AIAA Digital Avionics System Conference, (DASC2011) 2006_Malta Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS) Ph.D. Scholarship in Avionics 2000_Young Scientist Award - World Young Researchers for the Environment (WYRE) 1998 & 1997 LIYSF - London International Youth Science Forum, as Maltese delegate
