Dr. Cedric Anthierens, COSMER Lab, University of Toulon, France

Cédric Anthierens is an Associate Professor at the University of Toulon, where he heads the mechatronics and robotics department at the Seatech Engineering School. A graduate of INSA of Lyon in 1996, Cédric earned his PhD in microrobotics in 1999. His academic career spans two decades, during which he has focused on research in marine and submarine robotics. At the COSMER Lab, his work includes developing underwater robots, umbilical management systems, and cooperation between autonomous surface and underwater vehicles. Beyond academia, Cédric collaborates with industry leaders like AlcenAlseamar, managing fleets of autonomous gliders to further enhance maritime exploration technologies.

Summary of Suitability for the Research for Business Innovation Award

Cédric Anthierens demonstrates strong qualifications for the Research for Business Innovation Award, with a unique blend of academic research and real-world business innovation. As an Associate Professor at the University of Toulon’s COSMER Lab, his work focuses on marine and submarine robotics, with a specific emphasis on autonomous surface and underwater vehicles. This field of research directly contributes to cutting-edge advancements in marine technology, offering practical applications in industries like defense, ocean exploration, and environmental monitoring.

Education

Cédric Anthierens holds a degree in Engineering from INSA Lyon, a prestigious French engineering school, which he completed in 1996. He pursued further studies in robotics, earning a PhD in microrobotics in 1999. His doctoral research focused on the intricacies of micromechanical systems, laying the foundation for his career in marine robotics. He further honed his expertise through various advanced research programs, specializing in underwater vehicle navigation and autonomous robotics. His academic background, a blend of theoretical and practical experience, has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum at the Seatech Engineering School, where he now leads the mechatronics and robotics department.

Experience

Cédric Anthierens has extensive experience in the field of robotics, particularly in marine and underwater systems. Since joining the University of Toulon in 2014, he has served as the head of the mechatronics and robotics department at Seatech Engineering School. His research focuses on creating autonomous systems for both surface and underwater vehicles, and he has collaborated with leading organizations such as AlcenAlseamar and Sherpa Engineering. Through projects like fleet management of autonomous underwater gliders and advanced algorithms for robotic path planning, he has contributed significantly to the field of marine robotics. His academic and industrial experience positions him as a key figure in advancing underwater robotic technologies.

Awards and Honors

Cédric Anthierens has received numerous accolades for his contributions to marine and robotics research. His work on developing underwater robotic systems has garnered recognition from both academic and industrial organizations. He has been honored for his innovations in autonomous vehicle navigation and path planning, including awards for excellence in innovation. His leadership in managing industry collaborations, particularly with AlcenAlseamar, has also been acknowledged, as he played a pivotal role in advancing the capabilities of autonomous underwater gliders. As an academic leader, Cédric has received institutional awards for his contributions to the Seatech Engineering School, where he has successfully led the mechatronics and robotics department.

Research Focus

Cédric Anthierens’ research primarily revolves around the development of autonomous marine and submarine robotic systems. His focus is on improving the intelligence and effectiveness of glider fleets, advancing algorithms for underwater vehicle navigation, and optimizing robotic path planning. He has worked extensively on cooperative systems between autonomous surface vehicles (USVs) and underwater vehicles (ROVs), particularly addressing umbilical management between these systems. At the COSMER Lab, his research has led to the creation of simulation tools that enhance the planning and execution of underwater missions, enabling robots to perform tasks more efficiently. His collaboration with industrial partners has also contributed to practical advancements in maritime robotics.

Sustainable SolutionsPublications Top Notes

Automated Deployment of an Underwater Tether Equipped with a Compliant Buoy–Ballast System for Remotely Operated Vehicle Intervention

A New Flex-Sensor-Based Umbilical-Length Management System for Underwater Robots

A Simulator of Underwater Glider Missions for Path Planning

Towards Active Self-Management of Umbilical Linking ROV and USV for Safer Submarine Missions

Sensory Navigation Guide for Visually Impaired Sea Kayakers

Ms. Effimia Angeli | Prehistoric Archaeology | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Effimia Angeli, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland

Effimia Angeli is an accomplished archaeologist and PhD candidate at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Poland. Born on June 7, 1991, she has developed expertise in Neolithic pottery, focusing on Central Greece. Her passion for archaeology began during her undergraduate studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and History of Art in 2014. She went on to pursue a Master’s in Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Nottingham, completing her thesis on Neolithic painted ware. Effimia has participated in various archaeological projects across Greece and Poland, working extensively in field excavations, museum curation, and digital documentation. Her current PhD research delves into pottery as a source of information on Neolithic communities in Phthiotis, Greece. She continues to present her findings at international conferences, contributing to our understanding of ancient Mediterranean cultures.

Professional Profile

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Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award: Effimia Angeli

Effimia Angeli’s extensive academic background, research contributions, and practical experience in archaeology make her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. She holds a Master’s degree in Mediterranean Archaeology from the University of Nottingham with distinction and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in archaeology, focusing on the Neolithic communities of Greece. Her diverse and high-quality research includes significant contributions to the understanding of pottery as a historical source, showcasing her ability to connect material culture to broader anthropological questions. Her publications in international journals, coupled with her participation in numerous excavation projects across Europe, reflect her ongoing commitment to advancing the field of archaeology.

Education

Effimia Angeli’s academic journey reflects her deep interest in archaeology. She is currently a PhD candidate at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland, where her dissertation explores Neolithic pottery from Phthiotis, Central Greece, examining the period from 6370–5300 BC. She earned her Master of Arts in Mediterranean Archaeology from the University of Nottingham, UK, in 2019. Her MA thesis focused on the development of painted ware during the Middle and Late Neolithic periods in Central Greece, receiving a Distinction. Before that, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and History of Art at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2014, with a thesis examining pottery in early Greek settlements. Her education has provided her with both theoretical knowledge and practical field experience, shaping her into an expert on Neolithic pottery and its role in ancient civilizations.

🏆 Grants

In 2024–2025, the Association for Environmental Archaeology (AEA) awarded a grant of 1961 GBP for the project “Environment and Interactions in Neolithic Greece: geoarchaeological research at Halai (Central Greece).” Led by Principal Investigator E. Angeli, the project focuses on exploring environmental and human interactions during the Neolithic period through geoarchaeological investigations at the site of Halai.

Experience

Effimia Angeli has a broad range of archaeological experience. Since 2021, she has participated in 13 rescue excavations in Poland, contributing to projects with firms like ArchaeoAdventure and Azupiranu Archaeological Services. She has worked on excavation sites across Poland, including medieval churches and cemeteries, gaining experience in digital documentation and excavation management. In Greece, Effimia has been part of the Cornell Halai and East Lokris Project since 2012, focusing on the study of Neolithic pottery. Her prior roles also include curatorial work for various Greek museums, where she was involved in the digital recording of collections. Her experience extends to training undergraduate students in archaeological drawing, excavation techniques, and pottery analysis. Effimia’s expertise spans prehistoric, medieval, and Roman archaeological contexts, making her a versatile and skilled professional in both field and academic settings.

Awards and Honors

Effimia Angeli has achieved recognition for her academic and fieldwork contributions in archaeology. In 2023, she secured first place in the PhD evaluation procedure at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland, earning a 100% qualification for her research on Neolithic pottery. During her studies at the University of Nottingham, she was awarded a Distinction for her MA thesis on painted ware from Thessaly and Central Greece. Effimia has also been invited to present her research at prestigious international conferences, including the European Association of Archaeologists’ Annual Meetings and the Belgrade Conference on Archaeological Pottery. Her contributions to publications and her role as a field team leader in various excavation projects have earned her respect among her peers. Effimia’s dedication to the advancement of archaeological knowledge has been consistently recognized throughout her career.

Research Focus

Effimia Angeli’s research is centered on Neolithic pottery, with a specific focus on Central Greece. Her PhD dissertation examines pottery as a source of information about Neolithic communities in Phthiotis from 6370 to 5300 BC. Effimia’s approach combines macroscopic analysis and conceptual metaphor theory to understand the symbolic and functional uses of pottery in ancient societies. Her previous work has explored the development of painted ware during the Middle and Late Neolithic periods, comparing regional differences between Thessaly and Central Greece. Effimia is particularly interested in the intersection of material culture and community identity, using ceramics as a lens through which to understand trade, social interaction, and environmental adaptation in prehistoric Greece. Her research also touches on the influence of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, on settlement patterns and pottery styles in coastal regions.

Publication Top Notes

“Conceptual meanings in middle Neolithic red-painted pottery from Central Greece: A case study”

“The Late Neolithic Pattern Burnished Pottery from Halai in East Locris, Central Greece: Preliminary Results of the Macroscopic Analysis”

“How did environmental factors affect the spread of Minoan Thalassocracy? Seasonal changes in winds and currents and their influence on the Minoan exchange networks”

Dr. Cedric Anthierens | Marine Robotics | Business Innovation Award