Dr. Abdulla Al-Kaff is Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Autonomous Mobility and Perception Lab at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and serves as a Chief Business Development Officer at Seevia Technologies. A top-ranked graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Automation, he has been recognized with the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award from the IEEE ITSS - Spanish Chapter. His research has significantly contributed to intelligent transportation systems and robotics, authoring over 60 international journal articles and conference papers, focusing on pioneering areas such as artificial intelligence, deep learning, and autonomous vehicle systems.

Dr. Al-Kaff's leadership extends beyond academia into significant IEEE roles. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Spanish Chapter of IEEE ITSS and as Associate Editor for the IEEE Open Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems. His roles have fostered deep engagement with ITSS operations, contributing to technical committees, chapters, and numerous IEEE conferences organizing activities. He notably improved the quality and impact of the IEEE ICVES as Program Chair in 2018 and 2019.

A demonstrated leader, Dr. Al-Kaff has successfully 32 projects, including competitive national and European Projects and numerous collaborations with industry, showing his skill in managing complex research initiatives that bridge academia and industry. His leadership fosters innovation that aligns with ITSS’s strategic objectives and strengthens industry relations, evidencing his exceptional ability to navigate complex project dynamics and lead diverse teams effectively.

Additionally, Dr. Al-Kaff co-founded Spain FlyingLab, part of a global hub that connects experts in drones, data, robotics, and AI professional services, fostering interdisciplinary research and practical applications in intelligent transportation.

A committed leader, Dr. Al-Kaff's extensive portfolio of IEEE activities includes serving on ITSS Committee on Membership Activities, and the IEEE Region 8 Ad-Hoc Committee for the Engineering Projects in Community Service and acting as a judge for the Region 8 IEEEDuino Student Contest, further evidencing his dedication to fostering educational and developmental opportunities within the engineering community. His leadership is characterized by a clear vision, strong technical expertise, and a proactive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities in intelligent transportation systems.

As a passionate about fostering innovation in intelligent transportation systems, I am committed not only to supporting cutting-edge research and development but also promoting a collaborative ecosystem that connects academia, industry, and practitioners. This approach ensures our research quickly translates into practical, impactful solutions that globally benefit our communities. My strategic objectives include enhancing inclusivity and diversity, strengthening industry partnerships, and amplifying the impact of our society's publications and conferences, and increasing the visibility of our research and professional activities.