Maria Ferrara

Maria Ferrara is a Fixed-term Tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Department of Energy (DENERG) at the Polytechnic University of Turin. She specializes in building energy design optimization, nearly zero energy buildings, and thermal comfort. Her work bridges academia and industry through research projects on radiant systems, urban energy planning, and sustainable building technologies. She is a member of the Academic Senate and the Regulations Commission at the university, reflecting her leadership roles in institutional governance. Ferrara leads the TEBE Research Project and contributes to the Energy Center Lab (Ec-L), focusing on decarbonization strategies for buildings and urban systems.

Her teaching spans Master's courses in Architecture for Sustainability and Civil Engineering, emphasizing energy-efficient design. She collaborates on initiatives like the DT4energy.com project, leveraging digital twins for energy communities. Ferrara’s research has been recognized through prestigious awards, including the Siebel Scholar designation and the Ermenegildo Zegna Scholarship. She is an editorial board member for journals like Scientific Reports and Sustainable Cities and Society, contributing to advancing building performance simulation and energy policy.

Key projects include analyzing radiant systems in multi-family buildings under the new EPBD regulations and developing aerial thermography methods for urban energy assessment. She supervises PhD student Maria Vittoria Airoma, focusing on energy transition in built environments. Ferrara’s work integrates technical innovation with policy, addressing climate action (SDG 13), affordable energy (SDG 7), and resilient urban development (SDG 11). Her interdisciplinary approach spans engineering, architecture, and environmental science, making her a leading voice in sustainable building systems.