Ayham Alharbat

Ayham Alharbat is a Researcher and Lecturer at the SMART Research Group in Life, Engineering, and Design (LED) Academy of Saxion University of Applied Sciences. Ayham first joined the SMART Research Group in 2020 as an Intern Student and a Research Assistant after that, working on Physical Interaction Control for Aerial Robotics within the scope of MARS4Earth project. In 2021, he finished his MSc in Robotics and Mechatronics from the University of Twente, graduating cum laude. In his master's thesis, he investigated the use of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control in Aerial Physical Interaction Control. After his graduation, he joined the SMART Research Group as a full-time Researcher and Lecturer where he continued working on Aerial Physical Interaction Control in the context of MARS4Earth and AeroBlaster projects, developing aerial robots that can perform inspection and maintenance tasks. Alongside his position in the SMART Research Group, he is also a PhD candidate at the University of Twente, under the joint supervision of dr. Chiara Gabellieri and prof.dr.ir Antonio Franchi from the University of Twente and prof.dr.ir Abeje Mersha from Saxion University of Applied Sciences, where he is investigating the use of Aerial Robotics in the maintenance of green energy plants. Alongside his research activities, Ayham also contributes to education and training. At Saxion University of Applied Sciences, he teaches the course "Modeling and Control of Drones" which is a part of the Robotics and Vision minor. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Twente where he teaches about the use of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for the control of UAVs.