Alessandro Astolfi
Invited Speaker

Alessandro Astolfi

Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science

Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia

IEEE Fellow IFAC Fellow IET Fellow Academia Europaea ACA Fellow EUCA Fellow

Biography

Alessandro Astolfi is Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). From 1996 to 2026, he was with Imperial College London, where he served as Professor of Nonlinear Control Theory and held several senior academic and leadership roles, including Head of the Control and Power Group. He retains a part-time appointment at Imperial College London.

He received degrees from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and ETH Zurich, including a Ph.D. with Medal of Honor. His research spans mathematical control theory and its applications, with particular emphasis on nonlinear systems, robust and adaptive control, observer design, optimal control, game theory, and model reduction.

Talk Overview

Mathematical Control Theory: From Fundamental Principles to Advanced Control Systems

This talk will provide an overview of fundamental and emerging ideas in modern control theory, connecting rigorous mathematical foundations with practical control-system design. Particular attention will be given to nonlinear and discontinuous systems, robust and adaptive control, observer design, optimization, and model reduction. The presentation will also discuss how modern control methodologies can address increasingly complex engineering systems while maintaining stability, performance, and robustness.

Nonlinear and discontinuous stabilization
Robust and adaptive control methods
Observer design and state estimation
Optimal control and game-theoretic approaches
Model reduction for complex dynamical systems
Connections between mathematical theory and engineering applications

Research Interests

  • Mathematical Control Theory
  • Nonlinear Control Systems
  • Discontinuous Stabilization
  • Robust and Adaptive Control
  • Observer Design
  • Optimal Control
  • Game Theory
  • Model Reduction

Selected Distinctions

  • Fellow of IEEE and IFAC
  • Member of Academia Europaea
  • IEEE CSS A. Ruberti Young Researcher Prize
  • IEEE CSS George S. Axelby Outstanding Paper Award
  • Automatica Best Paper Award
  • IEEE TCST Outstanding Paper Award
  • IFAC Outstanding Service Award
  • Sir Harold Hartley Medal

Academic Leadership

2026–Present
Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
2018–2025
Editor-in-Chief, IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control
2020–2026
Vice Chair, IFAC Technical Board
2010–2022
Head of the Control and Power Group, Imperial College London
1996–2026
Imperial College London
Contact: [email protected]