Francesco Nex

Francesco Nex is an Associate Professor at the University of Twente in the Department of Earth Observation Science, where he holds the chair of real-time analytics for ubiquitous geo-sensors. He earned a Master's in Environmental Engineering (2006) and a PhD (2010) from TU Turin. His career spans roles at Italy's FBK institute (2011-2015) and the University of Twente (2015-present).

His research integrates photogrammetry, deep learning, and robotics to enable automated UAV-based solutions for applications like disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and precision farming. Key projects include EU-funded initiatives (Ingenious, Panoptis, RECONASS) and leadership roles in the ISPRS (Chairman of ICWG II/Ia). He has supervised 12 PhD students directly and co-supervised others at institutions like Politecnico Milano and Politecnico Torino.

Recent publications highlight advancements in glacier monitoring using low-cost UAV systems, real-time 3D reconstruction, and autonomous drone navigation. Awards include the ISPRS President’s Honorary Citation (2021) and the E.H. Thomson award (2020). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals for Smart Industry, Climate Action, and Robotic Mobility.