Prof. Dr. Roberto Moreno-Díaz
Roberto Moreno Díaz (Gáldar, September 11, 1939) is a researcher in cybernetics and physics. Promoter and introducer of Computer Science studies at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Canary Islands Research Award 1985 and academic member of the International Academy of Cybernetic Systems and Sciences.
Degree in Physics (1962) and PhD (1965) from the Complutense University of Madrid with work on logical neural networks and electronic models of neurons and neural networks.
He worked as a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1965 to 1968, where he was a staff member at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. There he worked on natural and artificial visual processes and their architectures, under the supervision of Warren S. McCulloch, one of the fathers of Cybernetics.
He returned to Spain in 1968 when he obtained the chair of Electronics at the University of Zaragoza (Electromagnetism and later, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence). He remained linked to the University of Zaragoza, where he held positions as Dean and Vice-Rector until 1979, when he settled in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he founded a research group on cybernetics as well as research groups on Neural Networks, Natural and Artificial Perception, Systems, Neurocybernetics and Robotic Vision, outstanding departments of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
He contributed to the creation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he taught the optional subject of Computational Biocybernetics until his retirement in September 2009.
He is the author or co-author of more than one hundred and twenty research papers on the cybernetics of visual processes, neurocybernetics, retinal theory, and natural and artificial vision.
In his professional career he has held various positions such as Dean and director of the University Institute of Cybernetic Sciences and Technologies of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, maintaining collaborative relations with international University and research institutions, mainly in France, Austria, Denmark, Portugal and the United States of America. Likewise, in collaboration with Professor Franz Pichler, from the University of Linz (Austria), he has organized since 1989 the biannual Eurocast International Congress, on Systems and Computer Theory.
He has been an Academician of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences since 1981. Founder and Vice-President of the Canarian Academy of Sciences, in 1987. Since 1999 he has been in possession of all the sections of research recognition granted by the Ministry of Education and Science.
In 1985 the Government of the Canary Islands recognised his research career with the Canary Islands Research Award. He was named Favorite Son of Gáldar in 1988. It is a Silver Dog for scientific merit by the Cabildo Insular de Gran Canaria.
In 1989, the School that bears his name was launched in Gáldar, attached to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with two areas, the Celso Martín de Guzmán Humanities and Social Sciences Classroom and the Roberto Moreno Díaz Science and Technology Classroom.
In October 2018, the Elder Museum of Science and Technology of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria hosted a play inspired by the scientific career of Roberto Moreno, within the theatrical project ‘Canarios en la Ciencia’, which stages the career of scientists who work in the Canary Islands Universities.
In 2015, he received the title of Honorary Professor from the Óbuda University, for his contribution in the area of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
He was appointed an academic fellow of the International Academy of Cybernetic Systems and Sciences in May 2018.
