FELIPE FERNáNDEZ PÉREZ

Head of Information Technologies Group

felipe.fernandez@unican.es
+34 942 20 16 16 Ext. 56107

Biography

Felipe is the head of the Information Technology and Supercomputing Lab at IHCantabria. He holds a Ph.D in Science and Technologies for the Environmental Management of Water System, MSc in Geographic Information Systems from Edinburgh University, MSc in Environmental Management of Aquatic Systems from Cantabria University and BSc in Biology. His activity focuses on the design of geospatial solutions applied to the water cycle, systems based on a solid scientific and technical background, which transform data into tailored information products for different businesses and societal sectors. In his more than 15 years of experience, he has been involved in the design of environmental management information systems (water quality, oil spill, hazardous and noxious substances), early warning systems (tsunami, river flood, storm surge) and marine spatial planning systems (marine renewable energies, aquaculture, nautical sports, tourism), among others. These Geospatial solutions make use of a large number of Open Data products provided by international initiatives such as the Copernicus Programme, EMODnet, NOAA or USGS, among others. The final aim behind the design of these Systems is to develop innovative solutions that have a positive impact to support the decision-making processes in relation to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The development of technological products has been carried out in different European research projects such as THESEUS, ASTARTE, SPRES and PORTONOVO, national research projects such as SICMA, ATHENEA and TRL Plus, and international projects, such as the Integrated Zone Management Plan Coastal of the Coast of Qatar, the Integrated Management Plan of the Coastal Zones of northern Egypt and the Multiple Risk Assessment for the Oman Coast (Tsunamis and Tropical Cyclones), among others.
Felipe is also member of the Copernicus Marine Service Champion Advisory Group, providing advice in terms of products, services and identifying possible markets.
The Geospatial solutions developed by the Information Technology and Supercomputing Lab has been internationally recognized at different events: at the EUDatathon 2019 with the project “The Blue Time Machine”, at the “Asociación Premios Ciudadanos” for the initiative Smart Litoral and at the 9th Edition of “Premios Cantabria Digital” with the app mobile for the IH Tsunamis System (IHTSUSY).

AWARDS AND MENTIONS