Professor Johann A. Briffa
Johann A. Briffa is a Professor and Head of the Department of Communications and Computer Engineering at the University of Malta. He obtained his PhD in Systems Engineering from Oakland University, Rochester MI in December 2003. His administrative duties include chairing the Data Science Research Platform, the Particle Detector and Accelerator Platform, and the Web Editorial Board. His research interests include information theory and image processing, most recently applied to quantum key distribution and remote sensing respectively. Johann is currently the UM principal investigator on six funded research projects, three of which are in the area of quantum communications.
Mr Ryan Debono
Ryan Debono is a Research Support Officer within the Communications and Computer Engineering department at the University of Malta. He read for an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Physics at the University of Malta and a master's degree in quantum technologies at the University of Sussex in the UK. Ryan has previously conducted research in quantum thermodynamics and quantum metrology, and is currently working on quantum communications research.
Dr Noel Farrugia
Noel Farrugia is the current CTO of Merqury Cybersecurity, a quantum focused start-up aimed at providing quantum safe solutions for all. He is a computer engineer by training and obtained his PhD from the University of Malta. His PhD focused on multi-objective optimisation applied on computer networks using the SDN architecture. Apart from this academic background, Noel spent several years in the industry both as a developer and team leader.
Professor André Xuereb
André Xuereb is professor of quantum physics at the University of Malta, where he established the quantum research group. He read for an undergraduate degree in mathematics and physics at the University of Malta, a PhD in theoretical physics at the University of Southampton in the UK, and a master’s degree in entrepreneurship at the University of Malta; he is currently reading for a master’s degree in diplomacy. Since 2020 André is also Malta’s Ambassador for Digital Affairs. Outside diplomatic and academic life, he is Chief Scientific Officer of sustainable mobility start-up Greenroads and Founder & CEO of Merqury Cybersecurity, a quantum cybersecurity startup. He is married to a lawyer and is the proud father of two girls and a boy.
