Kasia Balakier

Dr Kasia Balakier is Optical & Quantum Communication Technology Manager in
Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications at European Space Agency
(ESA). She is responsible for the implementation of ESA Strategic Programme Line
in Optical and Quantum Communication – ScyLight.

Prior to joining ESA, Kasia was a Lecturer at University College London (UCL). In
addition to her academic research career, she worked as Senior System Engineer
and Expert in Telecom Payload Photonics at Airbus Defence and Space, where she
was involved in development and implementation of optical systems for
Communication and Earth Observation satellites.

Kasia received her PhD from UCL, UK. She was awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie
fellowship and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Fellowship to support her
research in integrated photonics for space. She was included in Photonics100 list of
innovators for 2025.

Before joining UCL, she worked as Optical Engineer at SENER Ingeniería y
Sistemas in Spain and R&D Engineer at LG Electronics in Poland and South Korea.