Jose Santos

Dr Jose Santos serves as Associate Head of the School of Computing and Lecturer in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Ulster University. Based at the Belfast campus (2-24 York Street), he maintains an active research profile with 54 publications since 2000 and a Scopus h-index of 9. His leadership extends to the Computer Science Research group where he contributes to the university's UN Sustainable Development Goal initiatives.

Dr Santos' research centers on networking and communications, with foundational work in geographical routing protocols for mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) evidenced by his highly-cited survey (193 citations). His expertise spans quality of service optimization, location-aware routing for disaster telemedicine, and multimedia streaming in emergency scenarios. Recent expansions include

• Robotics: Bio-inspired control systems using reinforcement learning for coverage and navigation
• Emerging technologies: Blockchain-based edge computing (BECA architecture) and SLAM systems for autonomous navigation
• Sustainability applications: Low-cost environmental monitoring and battery health estimation

His work consistently bridges theoretical networking concepts with real-world emergency response challenges.

Analysis of recent publications (2021-2025) reveals strategic convergence of AI with physical systems. Key trends include sensor fusion for robotics (monocular-LiDAR SLAM), blockchain for secure IoT edge computing, and neural networks for battery diagnostics. This evolution maintains his core networking expertise while addressing sustainability through pollution monitoring and energy-efficient systems, aligning with Ulster University's focus on practical technological solutions for global challenges.

Dr Santos has supervised 4 research students and secured funding for impactful projects including:

• KTP Programme with Fire Glass Direct Ireland Ltd (2012-2015): Transferred academic knowledge to industrial applications
• Ja.NET location awareness proposal (2008): Pioneered cooperative positioning techniques for indoor environments

His external engagement includes serving as External Examiner at Griffith College (2015-2017), demonstrating commitment to academic standards beyond Ulster University.

As part of Ulster's Computer Science Research group, Dr Santos contributes to multidisciplinary teams addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals. His current work integrates drone communications for fire emergency response, particulate matter monitoring, and blockchain architectures - reflecting a trajectory toward intelligent systems that enhance community resilience and environmental sustainability through rigorous networking research.