Houda Harkat

Houda Harkat is an Assistant Professor at Universidade Lusófona, affiliated with the Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Cognição e Computação Centrado nas Pessoas. She also holds research positions as a Researcher at Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de Fès, and as an Invited Auxiliary Researcher at UNINOVA Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Engineering Sciences, a Master’s in Telecom and Network Engineering, and a Licence in Mathematics, Informatics, and Physics, all from Moroccan institutions.

• PhD in Engineering Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science – Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah (2018)
• Master in Telecom and Network Engineering – Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah (2013)
• Licence in Mathematics, Informatics, and Physics – Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah (2010)

Her research spans two key domains: telecommunications and antenna systems, focusing on UWB antennas, beam steering, WiMAX/WLAN, and microstrip arrays; and artificial intelligence for environmental and human sensing, including wildfire detection using aerial imagery and deep learning (e.g., Deeplabv3+, MobileNetv2), and Wi-Fi-based gesture/sign language recognition via Channel State Information (CSI). Her work integrates simulation tools like HFSS and CST with optimization techniques such as genetic algorithms.

The recent publications highlight a clear shift toward AI-driven solutions in cyber-physical systems, particularly in fire detection and segmentation using deep learning models, alongside continued contributions in wireless communication and antenna design. Her interdisciplinary work bridges signal processing, machine learning, and environmental monitoring, with growing emphasis on unmanned aerial systems and IoT-based decision support.

Her scientific contributions include 11 journal articles, 4 book chapters, and numerous conference papers. She has participated in multiple research projects as a PhD and post-doctoral fellow, contributing to advancements in GPR signal processing, wireless sensing, and intelligent systems.

• Project participation: PhD Student Fellow in 1 project
• Post-doc Fellow in 1 project
• Organized 3 academic events

Houda Harkat is actively involved in interdisciplinary research labs and teams focusing on intelligent systems, including UNINOVA’s Institute for New Technologies Development and wildfire monitoring initiatives such as the FIREFRONT project, which leverages aerial vehicles and AI for firefront forecasting and disaster management support.