Mrs. María Ortiz de Zúñiga, UNED and Fusion for Energy, Spain
Publication Profile
🌟 Summary
Mrs. María Ortiz de Zúñiga With over 17 years of experience in Fusion for Energy, I have contributed to various complex, multidisciplinary projects such as the ITER program, leading and managing teams, technical contracts, and large-scale nuclear mechanical systems. My expertise spans across engineering disciplines, including mechanical and computer engineering, and I hold two Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Engineering. I specialize in project management, leadership, and AI for engineering development, focusing on driving innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies, nuclear safety, and stakeholder management.
🎓 Education
- Philosopher’s Degree (PhD) in Industrial Technologies
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia – UNED (2021–Present)
- Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia – UNED (2017–2021)
- Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering
Universidad Pontificia de Comillas – ICAI (2002–2007)
💼 Professional Experience
- Senior Technical Officer, Fusion for Energy (2022–Present)
Leading AI for engineering developments in the ITER project, responsible for managing expert contracts and representing F4E in the RCC-MRx nuclear code subcommittee.
- Deputy Program Manager, Antennas Programme for ITER (2021–2022)
Managed the design, procurement, and manufacturing of the Electron Cyclotron Antenna, including stakeholder and contract management.
- Project Manager, ITER Vacuum Vessel Sectors (2019–2021)
Oversaw the manufacturing of the last 3 European Vacuum Vessel sectors, managing financial, administrative, and technical contract responsibilities.
- Technical Project Coordinator, ITER Vacuum Vessel (2016–2019)
Led a team managing technical data, project contracts, and the supply chain for the Vacuum Vessel’s nuclear mechanical systems.
- Planning Officer, Fusion for Energy (2007–2015)
Managed planning and scheduling for ITER-related projects, supported risk management, and developed procurement schedules.
📝 Academic Citations
- Co-chair, Artificial Intelligence Track (CT-19) at ASME-PVP
- Reviewer at international conferences like SMiRT, ITU, and IAEA
- Published research on AI in manufacturing and engineering processes for ITER components.
💻 Technical Skills
- Engineering Software: Proficient in CAD systems, Primavera, Enovia Smarteam PLM, and AI tools for engineering applications.
- Project Management: Skilled in planning, scheduling, risk management, earned value management, and contract negotiations.
- Nuclear Safety: Experienced in working with the RCC-MRx code, nuclear safety audits, and quality control for nuclear-related projects.
- Languages: Fluent in up to 6 European languages.
👩🏫 Teaching Experience
- Co-led the Artificial Intelligence Community within Fusion for Energy to raise awareness and promote AI usage in engineering projects.
- Actively contributed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives within F4E, supporting training and workshops on these topics.
- Artificial Intelligence for manufacturing optimizations in nuclear components.
- Data Analysis in high-tech engineering, focusing on predictive models for welding success, ultrasonic testing, and superconducting magnets.
- Development and integration of advanced manufacturing technologies into nuclear engineering systems.
Publication Top Notes
Project management techniques used in the European Vacuum Vessel sectors procurement for ITER
📑 Authors: M Losasso, MO de Zuniga, L Jones, A Bayon, JF Arbogast, J Caixas, …
📰 Journal: Fusion Engineering and Design
📅 Year: 2012
Artificial Intelligence for the Output Processing of Phased-Array Ultrasonic Test Applied to Materials Defects Detection in the ITER Vacuum Vessel Welding Operations
📑 Authors: M Ortiz de Zuniga, N Prinja, C Casanova, A Dans Alvarez de Sotomayor, …
📰 Journal: Pressure Vessels and Piping Conference
📅 Year: 2022
Artificial Intelligence for quality control in manufacturing applied to materials defects detection in the ITER Vacuum Vessel welding operations
📑 Authors: MO de Zúñiga López-Chicheri, M Febvre, ADA de Sotomayor, N Prinja, …
📰 Journal: IASMiRT
📅 Year: 2022