Tina Comes takes over as scientific director

Tina Comes is a member of the Academia Europaea and the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences and is among the most widely cited researchers in her field. Her work on AI, digital twins and decision support for emergency services and authorities has gained international recognition. She currently chairs the European Union's Science Advice Mechanism (SAM) scientific working group on 'AI in crisis management', which advises the European Commission.

Through her work, Professor Comes aims to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructures through the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. She combines behavioural research with computational approaches – including distributed AI, multi-agent systems, optimisation models and digital twins. Her scientific methods draw upon practical insights from disasters and crises worldwide. "Our society must become more resilient, especially in the context of digital and interconnected systems where disruptions are increasingly common. As co-director of the DLR Institute, I want to help establish the foundations for well-informed and rapid decision-making in the event of a crisis," says Comes, explaining her role at DLR.

Tina Comes has international experience at leading research institutions. She completed her doctorate at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), held fellowships and visiting professorships at Harvard University and Université Paris Dauphine - PSL, and taught at Maastricht University. At TU Delft, she served as Scientific Director of the 4TU Centre for Resilience Engineering. She advises decision-makers in government, NGOs and UN organisations on technology and AI in crisis situations.

"Tina Comes is one of the world's leading researchers in the field of decision theory. Her work on AI, digital twins and decision support for emergency services and authorities has gained international recognition. We are delighted that she will continue and further develop her research at DLR, including for the aerospace sector, building on an excellent and close cooperation with TU Delft," says Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board.

Michael Langerbeins, acting director of the institute and continuing head of administration, also welcomes the new appointment: "With Tina Comes, we are gaining an outstanding researcher and strategic thinker with an exceptional international standing. I look forward to working together to continue strengthening our institute."

The DLR Institute for the Protection of Terrestrial Infrastructures is dedicated to protecting and securing critical infrastructures and develops comprehensive concepts, methods and technologies to strengthen and improve the resilience of critical organisations and facilities. A central tool is the concept of the digital twin – the most accurate possible digital replica of a real system. Using real-time data, real systems can be analysed and predictions made about how they would behave in crisis situations. The institute’s research is structured into four departments: Resilience and Risk Methodology; Detection Systems; Digital Twins for Infrastructures; and Simulation Methods for Digital Twins.