Andrea Cominola

Andrea Cominola is an Assistant Professor at Technische Universität Berlin and the Einstein Center Digital Future in Berlin, where he leads the Smart Water Networks research group. His work focuses on developing data-driven algorithms and sensor-based technologies to support sustainable urban water management and promote awareness in human-environment systems. He holds a PhD in Information Technology from Politecnico di Milano (2017) and a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Environmental and Land Planning Engineering from the same institution. His research spans behavioral models of water use, smart water infrastructure, and interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and industry.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s in Environmental and Land Planning Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (2013)
  • Master’s in Environmental and Land Planning Engineering, Politecnico di Milano (2013)
  • PhD in Information Technology, Politecnico di Milano (2017)

Cominola’s research integrates technical innovation with societal impact, addressing challenges aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 6, 9, 11). He emphasizes global collaborations, having conducted research at institutions like Penn State University, UC Davis, and Korea University. His projects, such as the EU-funded SmartH2O, demonstrate his focus on bridging technology and end-user behavior through tools like mobile apps and gamified platforms.

He advocates for academic-industry partnerships to drive innovation while maintaining research freedom. His future goals include expanding his Berlin-based research group and potentially returning to Italy for a university or research leadership role.

• Labs/Teams:
  • Smart Water Networks Research Group at TU Berlin