Dimitrios Fotakis

Dimitrios Fotakis is a Professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), where he has been serving since February 2009. He also collaborates with the "Archimedes" research unit as an experienced researcher since 2023. His academic journey includes previous positions as a Senior Research Scientist at Yahoo Research (2017-2019), Assistant Professor at the University of the Aegean (2004-2009), and Postdoctoral Researcher at the Max-Planck Institut für Informatik (2001-2003).

• National Technical University of Athens (2009-present): Professor
• "Archimedes" Research Unit (2023-present): Collaborating Senior Researcher
• Yahoo Research (2017-2019): Senior Research Scientist
• University of the Aegean (2004-2009): Assistant Professor
• Max-Planck Institut für Informatik (2001-2003): Postdoctoral Researcher

Education: He holds a Diploma (1994) and a PhD (1999) from the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics at the University of Patras, Greece.

Dimitrios Fotakis specializes in Theoretical Computer Science with a focus on Algorithmic Game Theory and Approximation Algorithms. His research centers on the algorithmic properties of congestion games, the design of approximate mechanisms without monetary exchanges, and direct algorithms with emphasis on service location problems. His work has produced significant results including optimal algorithms for service location problems, potential functions for generalizations of congestion games, and optimal approximate truth-based mechanisms. With over 120 publications in major international conferences and journals and more than 3,000 citations according to Google Scholar, his research has had substantial impact in the field.

His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a continued focus on cutting-edge topics at the intersection of algorithms, game theory, and machine learning. These works span diverse areas including learning-augmented algorithms, graph neural networks, facility location problems, mechanism design, opinion dynamics, and fairness in ranking systems. The breadth of his research shows his ability to bridge theoretical computer science with practical applications in energy systems, social networks, and AI ethics.

Teaching: Professor Fotakis teaches courses including Algorithms and Complexity, Discrete Mathematics, Computer Programming, Algorithmic Game Theory, Network Algorithms and Complexity, and Convex Optimization with Applications in Machine Learning.

Research Leadership: He has served as Principal Investigator for several significant research projects including BALSAM (Beyond Worst-Case Analysis in Approximation Algorithms and Mechanism Design, 2019-2023), LEADAlgo (Learning-Augmented and Data-Driven Online Algorithms, 2020-2022), and Selfish Resource Allocation through Game Theoretic Models (2009-2021). He has also contributed as a Senior Researcher to multiple THALES projects through the years.

Mentorship: Professor Fotakis has supervised numerous PhD students who have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral positions at institutions including MIT, Stanford, Yale, and UT Austin. His academic lineage extends through many successful students now working in top universities and research institutions worldwide.