Keynote speakers (2023)

13th EASN International Conference Keynote Speakers

 

The 13th EASN International Conference programme includes important Keynote Lectures, given by distinguished personalities of the European Aviation and Space Community, including industry, research and policymaking.
Below is an alphabetical list of they keynote speakers confirmed so far. In order to know more about each speaker, please click on their picture below.

 

Boschen

Mr. Andreas Boschen
SESAR 3 Joint UndertakingExecutive Director

Keynote title: Delivering the Digital European Sky.

Starting his professional career as a diplomat in Germany taking care of EU affairs, Andreas Boschen joined the European Commission’s Secretariat General in 1998 to manage relations between the European Commission, Parliament, Council and other bodies. He then moved on to DG MOVE where he held several notable positions, including policy officer for the Single European Sky, policy officer for maritime safety and assistant to the Director-General of DG MOVE.

Between 2014 and 2022, Boschen led the department for the Connecting Europe Facility at the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), where he managed EU financial support to infrastructure projects in the areas of transport and energy.

On 1 July 2022, Andreas Boschen officially started his mandate as Executive Director of the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.

 

Cantoni

Dr. Stefania Cantoni
CIRA - Italian Aerospace Research Centre | Large Ground Testing Facilities, Demonstrators and Prototyping Dept. Head

Keynote title: Space Structures: the role of new materials and innovative structures.

Graduated cum laude in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Naples “Federico II”, Master in Business Management at ISVOR Fiat, PhD in Material and Structures Engineering at the University of Naples “Federico II”, she joined the Italian Aerospace Research Centre in 1996 being involved as a material researcher in projects related to manufacturing processes of polymeric and ceramic based materials.

From 2002 to 2011 she was appointed responsible of the Advanced Materials Lab handling also research activities in the field of testing of aerospace structures made by advanced materials, and in 2011 she became Responsible of Structures and Materials Department.

In 2015 she has been appointed Deputy Manager of the Space Division, where all programs, related to the integration and qualification of technologies for space application, including flight missions, are managed and in 2020 she took the responsibility of Large Ground Testing facilities of the Center, including the largest Plasma Wind Tunnel all over the world and the unique Icing Aerodynamic Wind Tunnel.

Since 2012 she is also Member of the Board of Directors of the Technological District of Polymeric Materials and Structures - IMAST. She his member of several International Scientific Committee and author of more than 30 scientific publications.

 

Mr. Daniel Nölke  
European Commission | DG DEFIS, unit "Innovation and New Space – Space Defence"

Keynote title: EU Space Research and Innovation 2.0 - Preparing (for) the Future Space Ecosystem.

Daniel Nölke currently works at the European Commission in the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. As policy officer and seconded national expert, he works in the field of Space focussing on strategic and programmatic activities related to mission and technology development, in particular for in-space operations and services, enabling and critical technologies. He is responsible for the Space Partnership and the Strategy for EU Space Research and Innovation. Additionally, he contributes to space policy development and the setup of the EU Horizon Europe Work Programme.

Before his secondment to the European Commission, he worked in the General Technologies and Robotics division of the German Space Agency (DLR) since 2009 with a strong focus on smart and innovative approaches as well as technology transfer, innovation and commercialization.

Prior to DLR, he conducted scientific research on structural optimization and space debris risk analysis at the Institute of Structural Mechanics and Lightweight Design of RWTH Aachen University. Daniel holds a university diploma in mechanical and aerospace engineering from RWTH Aachen University (Germany).

 

Prof. Sabine Klinkner 
University of Stuttgart | Chair of Satellite Technology, Institute of Space Systems

Keynote title: Enabling technologies for lunar exploration.

After graduation from the University of Stuttgart in Aerospace Engineering in 2002, Sabine Klinkner started working with the Space SME von Hoerner & Sulger GmbH, focussing on the development of robotic space systems and the design and realisation of scientific instruments for space missions. From 2004-2008 she pursued her Ph.D. at the University of Stuttgart in parallel to her work in industry. Since January 2015 Ms. Klinkner holds the chair of Satellite Technology at the University of Stuttgart’s Institute of Space Systems. Her research fields cover satellite technologies, robotic systems for planetary exploration and dust astronomy.

 

Mr. Axel Krein 
Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking | Executive Director

Keynote title: Clean Aviation: the ticket to zero-emission flight.

 

Since February 2019, Axel Krein is the Executive Director of Clean Sky, and since its establishment on 30 Nov. 2021 the Executive Director of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking. Clean Aviation develops and demonstrates revolutionary new technologies and aircraft concepts to support the EU's climate neutrality goals for aviation in the context of the Horizon Europe framework programme for Research & Innovation and the European Green Deal.

Prior to Clean Sky, Axel held various positions in Airbus, including Senior Vice President Cyber Security Program (2014 - 2019); Senior Vice President Research & Technology (2007 - 2014); Senior Vice President Strategic Development (2004 - 2007); and Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (2000 - 2004). Axel holds a Masters in Aerospace Engineering from the Technical University of Aachen, Germany.

 

Mr. Pascal Piot 
DASSAULT AVIATION | Head of EU & International Cooperation for R&T programs department

Keynote title: Towards decarbonisation of bizjets and digital certification of disruptive technologies.

Pascal Piot was graduated in 1988 of «École Supérieure d’Électricité Supélec», currently called « Centrale-Supélec ». He spent all his career at Technical Directorate of DASSAULT AVIATION.

He is one of the pioneer of the introduction of Operational Analysis and Simulation activities to support military programs and in particular the RAFALE fighter development and promotion. He headed this department up to 2008.

Since then, he is the Head of EU & International Cooperation for R&T programs department. He is actually the DASSAULT AVIATION main point of contact for EU framework programs and coordinates the preparation of Calls. He is the Technical Committee representative of Clean Aviation and alternate at Governing Board. He is involved in several working groups at national and international levels such as EUROMART, GIFAS, ASD or ACARE. Finally, he is also involved in technical cooperation and partnership development in relation with several military export programs and for the European Defence Fund.

 

Dr. Marco Protti
LEONARDO | Vice President of Advanced Research

Keynote title: Sustainability and Digitalisation: the paradigms for a new era of aeronautics.

Marco Protti is VP of Advanced Research and Sustainability Coordinator. of Leonardo Aircraft Division

He is member of the Governing Board of the Clean Aviation JU, Member of the ASD Civil Aviation Research Committee, Chairman of ACARE Italy, member of the Chair-team of ACARE, member of the Boards of Directors of CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Centre), member of the European Materials Modelling Council - Industrial Advisory Board (EMMC-IAB), member of the Technical Committee of the Italian Aerospace Technology Cluster.

 

santurbano

Mr. John Santurbano 
Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) | Director

Keynote title: Bridging research and operations in ATM. The MUAC success stories.

John Santurbano joined EUROCONTROL as the Director of the Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (MUAC) on 1 October 2017. He took command of one of the best-performing and cost-effective air navigation service providers in Europe.

Before joining EUROCONTROL, John worked for ANA (Administration de la navigation aérienne), the Luxembourg air navigation service provider, where he had been Director since October 2013.
John spent his entire career in air traffic management, having worked for ANA since graduating from the German meteorological institute DWD in 1993. Starting in ANA as a meteorological forecaster, he steadily rose in the organisation to become first Chief Administrative Officer, then Head of the Meteorological Department, and ANSP Certification Coordinator. He additionally holds a master degree in Innovation from the University of Nancy.

John Santurbano is a highly experienced senior manager with hands-on experience managing an air navigation service provider. His experience gives him a strong foundation in operational, institutional and financial matters, as well as having established strong links with various national and international stakeholders in European ATM.

John is 55 years old and is married with three children. He is from Luxembourg and speaks five languages.

 

 

* The 13th EASN Keynote Speakers are updated upon confirmation.