Professor Joseph Sifakis studied Electrical Engineering at the Technical University of Athens and Computer Science at the University of Grenoble. He is recognized for his pioneering work on embedded system design and verification. He contributed to the emergence of the area of model-checking, currently the most widely used verification method in industry. His current research focuses on rigorous system design and correct-by-construction techniques.  Joseph Sifakis has a broad industry experience, notably though participation in a large number industrial projects and consulting.

Awards and distinctions: Turing Award 2007, CNRS Silver Medal 2001, Member of the French Academy of Sciences, of the French Academy of Engineering and of Academia Europea, Grand Officer of the French National Order of Merit, Commander of the Legion of Honour.