Fotis Kopsaftopoulos

Fotis Kopsaftopoulos is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering (MANE) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), where he has been since 2017. His research focuses on intelligent aerospace and mechanical systems, particularly structural health monitoring (SHM), stochastic modeling, and machine learning applications for damage detection and fault diagnosis.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics (2012), University of Patras
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics (2004), University of Patras

Research Interests: Kopsaftopoulos develops data-driven SHM frameworks using stochastic time series models, Gaussian process regression, and guided wave propagation for aerospace structures. His work addresses damage detection under varying loads, rotor fault diagnosis in multicopters, and health monitoring of batteries and adhesively bonded joints.

Scientific Awards:

• 2021 Class of 1951 Outstanding Teaching Award at RPI
• 2015 Most Practical SHM Solution for Aerospace Award (sponsored by Airbus)
• 1998–1999 Academic Scholarship of Excellence from the State Scholarship Foundation of Greece

Teaching & Leadership: He has taught courses such as System Identification, Aerospace Structures and Materials, and Engineering Dynamics at RPI. He served as co-Editor for Structural Health Monitoring proceedings, Associate Editor for the Structural Health Monitoring Journal, and Topic Editor for Sensors Journal. He has advised 6 PhD, 14 MEng/MS, and 46 BS projects.