Dr. Nicola Sasanelli

Biography

Nicola graduated from the University of Bari, Italy with a degree in Electronic Engineering. He worked as a researcher in microelectronics for high-reliability components at Tecnopolis S&T Research Centre in Bari, and was appointed as Scientific Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Canberra from 2001 to 2008. Between 2003 and 2013, he served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra in Australia and became an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia in 2007. In 2018, he was appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of South Australia in the Division of Information Technology, Engineering, and Environment, while also serving on the board of the Space Industry Association of Australia. He joined the South Australian Government as a Special Envoy for higher education research and technology transfer in Europe, later becoming the Director of International R&D Collaborations. In September 2017, he was appointed Director of the South Australian Space Industry Centre. His efforts have focused on supporting the growth of the space industry and increasing international R&D collaborations in South Australia. He played a pivotal role in lobbying for the establishment of the National Space Agency, which was realized in 2018. In 2019, he helped establish the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre and served as the Director of Communication and Outreach. In 2020, he founded the Andy Thomas Space Foundation. In January 2023, he retired from the South Australian Government to establish 'Agora High-Tech', where he currently serves as Chairman, focusing on enhancing collaborations in innovation processes. Nicola will also serve as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Western Australia starting in 2024.

Research Interests

Experience