Researcher
ORCID: 0000-0003-4469-5230
Dr. Abate, an archaeologist by training, specializes in the utilization of aerial and terrestrial digital technologies for forensic applications and the safeguarding of cultural heritage. He has an extensive background in this field, having held positions related to digital heritage activities at several institutions. From 2009 to 2015, he was involved in research on digital heritage at the ENEA Research Center in Italy. More recently, from 2019 to 2023, he served as a key member of the 2D and 3D Digital Lab at the Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center of The Cyprus Institute. From May 2023 is a Post Doctoral Researcher at the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence.
In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Abate was selected to join the 28th Italian Research Expedition in Antarctica in 2012, organized by the National Italian Program of Research in Antarctica (PNRA). He was a Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellow, working on the “Digital Forensic Archaeology” (Dig-for-Arch) project, which explored innovative methods for forensic applications.
Throughout his career, Dr. Abate was a Principal Investigator for multiple funded projects, totaling over 1.2 million euros. Notably, he led two international consortia projects specifically aimed at combating cultural property crimes and the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. The first project, SHIELD (Safeguard Heritage In Endangered Looted Districts), received funding from the JPI-CH, while the second project, SIGNIFICANCE (Stop Illicit Heritage Traffic with Artificial Intelligence), received support from the ISFP-2019 program.
Dr. Abate’s expertise has been sought after in various settings, where he has been invited to speak at conferences and workshops organized by law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and academic institutions. Noteworthy engagements include his talks at the EUROPOL PANDORA VI Cyber Patrol Week, the CrimArt Workshop hosted by the Cyprus Police, and a podcast on forensic evidence collections organized by the European Commission CORDIS.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Abate was awarded the “Ravenna and the city” price by the FLAMINIA foundation (Italy) in 2015, and the “Innovative Digital Applications Award” at the O2 NextGen Digital Challenge Awards in the UK in 2017 for his work on the Dig-for-Arch Project.
Dr. Abate has published extensively on topics related to the protection of endangered heritage and looting. He has also actively participated in relevant training programs and workshops, such as the “Cultural Property Protection Pilot Course” organized by the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Center and the “Cultural Property Crimes Law Enforcement Workshop” hosted by the FBI’s Crime Art Unit. Currently, he is contributing to the COST Action – Globalization, Illicit Trade, Sustainability and Security (CA21133), and a member of European Commission expert sub-group on “safeguarding cultural heritage in Ukraine”
As a dedicated professional, Dr. Abate maintains memberships in several organizations, including ICOMOS Cyprus, the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and the CIPA HD, where he serves as an expert member
