I am author/co-author of 109 contributions in research: 3 abstracts, 10 chapters in book series, 1 book, 2 Editorial, 9 Edited Journal papers, 30 national and international conferences, 39 national and international journal papers, 8 patents, 5 Special Issues, 1 M.Sc. Thesis, 1 Ph.D. Thesis:
Link 1 to Publications
Link 2 to Publications
Link 3 to Patents
Honors and Awards:
My Background:
In 2008, I obtained my M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at University of Pisa (Italy), with a thesis in collaboration with the General Electric Company (GE). Five keywords of this experience: rotor dynamics, systems identification, balancing systems, compressors, manufacturing.
Since 2009 to 2012, I worked as Mechanical Engineer and Research Associate at The Biorobotics Institute (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa/Italy)): in the Advanced Robotics and Technology Systems Laboratory (ARTS Lab), Center for Research in Micro engineering Laboratory (CRIM Lab), and in the Humanoid robotics joint laboratory between Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and Waseda University of Tokyo (Robot-An Lab). I collaborated with The Biorobotics Institute in two European research projects: NANOBIOTACT (Nano-engineering biomimetict tactile sensors, FP6-NMP-33287), and ROBOSOM (A Robotic Sense of Movement, FP7-ICT-248366). My principal role in the NANOBIOTACT project was to realize new mechatronic platforms for biomimetic micro-electro-mechanical systems-based tactile sensor array. My role in the ROBOSOM Project was to optimize the Italian humanoid platform in collaboration with Waseda University of Tokyo (Japan). Five keywords of these experiences: humanoid robotics, tactile sensing, dynamic balance, bipedal robots, walking locomotion.
In 2011, I co-founded an Italian start-up and a spin-off of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, named Humanot s.r.l., and developers of bio-robots, mechatronic platforms, and automatic systems. Humanot s.r.l. was a result of the ROBOSOM European research project. Five keywords of this experience: technology transfer, business plan, industrial partnership, European projects, biped robots.
Since 2012 to 2014, on behalf of University of Genova, I was the project manager/engineer of the FURBOT European Research Project (Freight Urban RoBOTic vehicle, FP7-SST-285055). My role in the project was to help in the coordination of the project and modelling, control, and design the new FURBOT vehicle. Five keywords of this experience: four-bar linkage, personal robotic vehicle, pneumatic actuation, drive-wheel, urban vehicles.
Since 2012 to 2015, I was the work package co-coordinator of an Italian research project called BRAINHURO and focused on the design and development of a humanoid robot controlled by a brain computer interface system to assist people affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis disease (POR CReO FESR 2007-2013 – Attività 1.5.a e 1.6 – BANDO UNICO R&S – ANNO 2012). Five keywords of this experience: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, biped-wheeled flexible robot, brain computer interface, torsional springs, wheeled-legs.
In 2014, I took my Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at PMAR Lab (Laboratory of Design and Measurement for Automation and Robotics), Dept. of Machines, Mechanics and Design, Polytechnic School, Universita’ degli studi di Genova (Italy). Five keywords of this experience: humanoid robotics, dynamic balance, bipedal robots, walking locomotion, analytical formulation.
In 2014, I was the Principal Investigator on an Industrial research project based on soft manipulation for mininvasive surgical system. Five keywords of this experience: mechanical design, robotic surgery, sensors, haptics, micro-electro-mechanical systems.
Since 2014 to 2015, I collaborated (as postdoc) with the Mechatronics and Automatic Control Laboratory (MAC Lab), Dept. of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems (DIBRIS), Polytechnic School, Universita’ degli studi di Genova (Italy). My role was to design a new artificial skin for robots used in underwater applications. Five keywords of this experience: underwater robots, artificial skin, waterproof systems, mechanical underwater design, finite element modelling.
Since 2015 to 2017, I collaborated (as postdoc) with PERCeptual RObotics Laboratory – Safety Energy Environment Security Center (PERCRO-SEES Center), TeCIP Institute of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Italy) in one Italian project with acronym SUONO (Safe Underwater Operations iN Oceans. Bando MIUR. Dectreto direttoriale prot. N.391/RIC del 5/7/12. Smart Cities and Communities) and one European project with acronym WETFEET (Wave Energy Transition to Future by Evolution of Engineering and Technology Project ID: 641334). Five keywords of these experiences: haptics, wave energy, underwater vehicles, simulators, actuators.
Since 2017 to 2018, I was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Advanced Robotics Research Line (ADVR) at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), an English-speaking Research Institute. My role was to propose novel mechanical solutions for industry request. Five keywords of this experience: industrial projects, four-bar linkage, industrial patents, parallel mechanisms, compliant mechanisms.
Since 2018 to 2021, I was an Assistant Professor with time contract in Mechanics of Machines within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Five keywords of this experience: pneumatic actuators, Mc-Kibben actuators, cable-driven exoskeletons, robotic devices, mechanics of machines.
Since 2021 to 2024, I was an Assistant Professor with time contract in Mechanics of Machines at University of Verona (Italy). I was a scientific collaborator in a Laboratory for Teleoperations and Autonomous Intelligent Robots (Altair Robotics lab). I collaborated in a prestigious ERC European Project H2020 with acronym “ARS”, Autonomous Robotic Surgery (Project Number 742671, CUP B32F17000570006). My role was to design new mechanical models of force/torque sensors for their inclusion in surgical instruments. In the meanwhile, I was the coordinator of the course Industrial Plants and Production Management of the new master’s degree in computer engineering for Robotics and Smart Industry at University of Verona, and the Lecturer-in-charge of one module of the course named Industrial Plants. The Italian National Evaluation Agency for research and university system (ANVUR) awarded the Department of Computer Science of the University of Verona a grant for being an Excellent Department. The new master’s degree course was one output of the Excellence Department. I collaborated in Industrial Computer Engineering Laboratory (ICE Lab), a result of the Excellence Department of Computer Science of University of Verona. Five keywords of this experience: cable-driven mechanisms, minimally invasive robotic instruments, surgical robotics, teleoperation, force-torque sensors.
In 2023, I obtained the National Scientific qualification as Associate Professor in the Italian higher education system, in the call 2021/2023 (Ministerial Decree n. 553/2021 and 589/2021) for the disciplinary field of 09/A2 - Applied mechanics. (Academic Recruitment Field 09/A - Mechanical and aerospace engineering and naval architecture, according to the national classification).
Since April 2024 to March 2025, I am a Research Fellow with the University of Bologna. I am collaborating in a very interesting project titled: “REBALANCE - REinforcing BALANCE with a neurally-driven wearable assistive device”. The project aims to reduce falls and related healthcare and social costs in the elderly. Five keywords of this experience: Wearable Devices; Loss of Balance; Exoskeletons; Compliant Actuators; Falls Prevention.
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