Esmaeil Najafi

Esmaeil's journey through the world of engineering and academia is a compelling narrative of ambition, innovation, and global impact. From his early days in Iran to his significant contributions in the Netherlands, his career spans continents and disciplines, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing technology and education.

Esmaeil's academic foundation was laid at K.N. Toosi University of Technology in Iran, where he pursued his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Dynamics and Control from 2003 to 2010. His early interest in the principles of engineering set the stage for a career that would blend theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

Seeking to deepen his expertise and contribute to the field of robotics and mechatronics, Esmaeil moved to the Netherlands to pursue a PhD at TU Delft. From 2011 to 2016, his research focused on Systems and Control, a period that not only honed his technical skills but also ignited his passion for innovation in robotics. This time was pivotal, marking a transition from student to scholar and innovator.

Even before completing his PhD, Esmaeil began sharing his knowledge as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Azad University in Iran between 2009 and 2011, and later as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in Control and Robotics at Delft University of Technology from 2012 to 2013. These roles underscored his commitment to education and his ability to inspire the next generation of engineers.

Upon completing his PhD, Esmaeil's journey continued in academia and research, taking a postdoctoral position at Eindhoven University of Technology. From June 2016 to April 2018, he delved into control systems, a field at the heart of robotics and automation. His work contributed to advancing knowledge in how machines perceive and interact with their environment.

Esmaeil's academic career further evolved with a move to The Hague University of Applied Sciences as a Mechatronics Project Leader and Lecturer, and then to Fontys University of Applied Sciences as an Assistant Professor in Mechatronics, where he shaped minds and projects from April 2018 to August 2021. His influence extended beyond the classroom into standardization efforts for the field, serving as an ISO Committee Member in Robotics in 2021, ensuring the safety, efficiency, and interoperability of robotic systems worldwide.

In August 2019, Esmaeil embarked on an entrepreneurial venture as the founder and CEO of i4Linx in the Netherlands, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and its applications in society.

Returning to his roots, Esmaeil served as an Assistant Professor in Mechatronics at K.N. Toosi University of Technology in Iran from September 2021 to August 2023, bridging his experiences from Iran and the Netherlands to enrich the academic and practical landscape of mechatronics education.

Currently, as an Associate Professor in Cognition and AI at Saxion University of Applied Sciences since September 2023, Esmaeil is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence with cognitive sciences, shaping the future of how machines learn, think, and interact with humans and their environments.

Esmaeil's story is not just a tale of personal achievement but a testament to the power of education, research, and innovation to transcend borders and disciplines. His journey from the classrooms of Iran to the cutting edge of robotics and AI in the Netherlands exemplifies a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the world.