Dush Thalakotuna

Dr. Dush Thalakotuna is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the NSW Space Research Network at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), where he has held academic roles since 2020. His research focuses on antenna design, radio frequency engineering, and electromagnetics, with applications in defense, satellite communication, and space technology. He leads major projects with over $10 million in funding, including initiatives in cryogenic satellite ground stations and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces.

His academic journey combines over 7 years of industry experience in defense and commercial sectors (e.g., BAE Systems, Thales, Analog Devices) with academic rigor. He has published over 50 journal/conference articles, authored book chapters on dielectric resonators, and holds three patents. Awards include the 2023 Eureka Prize, 2024 Academic of the Year (Defence Industry Awards), and recognition from IEEE.

Research Interests: His work spans metamaterials, beam steering antennas, phased arrays, and space communication systems. Current projects emphasize multiband antennas, meta-surfaces for beam control, and satellite-ground station technologies.

Teaching & Leadership: Coordinates the Master of Engineering (Telecommunications and Electronics) and first-year engineering programs at UTS. Engages in STEM education through initiatives like the Little Inventors STEM Academy and robotic competition mentoring.

Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator in 16 projects since 2020, including ARC Industry Fellowships and grants from the National Intelligence Agency. Recent projects include meta-steering antenna systems and resilient communication for autonomous systems.

Labs & Collaborations: Leads UTS’s antenna and RF research group, collaborating with industry partners like Commscope and Dialog Telekom. Co-directs the NSW Space Research Network to advance space technology research.