Prof. Stefano Spigarelli is a Full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche, affiliated with the Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. His research focuses on metallurgy and advanced materials, particularly in additive manufacturing, creep behavior of metals, and microstructural analysis. He explores topics such as laser powder bed fusion, friction stir processing, and high-temperature material performance. His work addresses applications in aerospace, biomedical, and mechanical engineering domains. Research interests include the characterization of materials like Inconel 718, titanium alloys, and stainless steels, emphasizing their structural and mechanical properties under extreme conditions. He contributes to developing predictive models for material behavior, including creep response and thermal stability. His recent studies highlight innovations in additive manufacturing processes and their impact on material design. Prof. Spigarelli has published extensively on topics such as lattice structure fabrication, material degradation mechanisms, and the optimization of joining processes like friction stir welding. His research bridges theoretical modeling and experimental validation, advancing the understanding of material behavior under high-temperature and high-stress environments.
Laura Mariani, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in Accounting and Management at the Department of Business Sciences, University of Bergamo, where she also serves as President of the Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration program. Education: Ph.D. in Management of Small and Medium Enterprises (2006), University Carlo Cattaneo – LIUC, Castellanza M.Sc. in Economics and Business (2002, summa cum laude), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan Dr. Mariani's research focuses on governance structures in public services, nonprofit organizations, and social enterprises, with particular expertise in performance measurement and accounting systems. Her work examines how organizations in these sectors can improve effectiveness through better governance practices and management approaches, with strong emphasis on accountability and value creation. Her recent publications demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory examining collaborative service delivery models, particularly during crises like the pandemic, and the evolving role of social enterprises in public value creation. These works collectively highlight innovative management approaches in public and nonprofit contexts across multiple European settings. Teaching: Accounting and Financial Statements Strategic Management for Innovation Business Strategy Theoretical Perspectives and Research Methods in Accounting
Werner Nutt is a Professor at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano , Italy, affiliated with the Faculty of Computer Science since 2005. He previously held academic positions as a Reader at Heriot-Watt University (2000-2005), Visiting Professor at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Research Scientist at DFKI (1992-2000). Current Role: Professor, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano Past Roles: Reader (Heriot-Watt), Visiting Professor (Hebrew University), Research Scientist (DFKI) Research Interests focus on Data Management , Knowledge Representation , and Intelligent Information Extraction , with emphasis on modeling Construction Processes and ensuring Data Quality . His work bridges Semantic Web technologies with Business Process Management , notably through the COCkPiT project (2017-present) for construction process optimization. Key Contributions include foundational work on Query Completeness in databases, SPARQL Reasoning , and Semantic Diagnostics . He has published extensively in venues like ISWC , BPM , and CIKM , with an h-index of 35 on Google Scholar. His 154+ publications span topics from Probabilistic XML to Construction Process Modeling .
Margherita RUSSO is a Full Professor at the Department of Economics "Marco Biagi" at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Her academic work focuses on economic policy with particular expertise in industrial economics, innovation systems, and technological transformation across various sectors. She maintains an active research agenda and teaching responsibilities, with regular student reception hours as indicated on her university profile. Professor RUSSO's research interests span several interconnected domains of economic policy and industrial organization. Her primary focus is on the automotive industry, where she examines digital transformation, automation, and the transition to electric mobility within global value chains. She has conducted extensive comparative research across European countries (including Germany, Spain, and Romania) as well as Mexico, analyzing how national contexts and trade agreements shape industrial development. Her work on digital innovation examines the role of intermediaries in facilitating technological adoption and institutional change, particularly regarding the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 technologies. She has also made significant contributions to understanding science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cross-country analyses of policy responses in OECD countries. Her research methodology often combines qualitative case studies with quantitative network analysis to examine complex economic systems. Professor RUSSO's publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across multiple high-impact research streams. Her recent work shows an increasing focus on the intersection of digital transformation and traditional manufacturing industries, particularly the automotive sector's evolution toward electrification and automation. She has developed expertise in analyzing policy responses to technological disruption and pandemic challenges, with a particular emphasis on how different institutional contexts shape adoption patterns. Her research often employs comparative methodologies across national contexts, revealing how local conditions mediate global technological trends. The collaborative nature of her work is evident in her frequent co-authorship with researchers across Europe and Latin America. As a dedicated educator, Professor RUSSO has examined the impact of the pandemic on university teaching through her research on remote learning and student engagement. Her work in this area reflects her commitment to understanding how technological changes affect educational practices and student experiences.
Alessandro Aiuppa is a Full Professor at the Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM) of the University of Palermo, where he teaches Volcanology, Volcanic Monitoring, and Applied Volcanology for Geological Sciences programs. He serves as Coordinator of the PhD Program in Earth and Marine Sciences and is a Member of the Major Risks Commission (Volcanic Risk Section) of the Civil Protection. Additionally, he is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (Elsevier) and a Research Collaborator at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (Palermo Section). His research focuses on volcanic gas geochemistry, magmatic degassing processes, volcanic monitoring, and the environmental impact of volcanic emissions. With expertise spanning volcanic gas monitoring techniques, isotopic geochemistry, and volcanic hazard assessment, his work bridges fundamental scientific understanding with practical applications for volcanic risk management. His approach combines field measurements, laboratory analyses, and advanced monitoring technologies to understand volcanic systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on volcanic gas monitoring technologies, particularly SO2 and CO2 emissions, with increasing emphasis on satellite-based remote sensing approaches. His research shows a progression from fundamental studies of volcanic degassing processes toward more applied research focused on eruption forecasting and hazard assessment. The geographic scope of his work spans multiple volcanic regions including Italy, the Canary Islands, Central America, Iceland, and the Pacific. ERC-Starting Grant (1.49 M€) for Project "BRIDGE" (2012-2015) Wager Medal 2008 of the IAVCEI as the best volcanologist under 40 in the period 2004-2008 Aiuppa has secured significant research funding, including a major ERC grant, and has published 131 papers in international ISI journals with an H-index of 36. His work involves extensive international collaboration across multiple continents and volcanic settings. He has supervised numerous PhD theses in areas related to volcanic gas geochemistry, monitoring techniques, and volcanic hazard assessment, with students researching volcanoes across the globe including Italy, Central America, and the Canary Islands. His research activities involve close collaboration with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology for monitoring active Italian volcanoes, and he maintains an active field program measuring volcanic gas emissions from various volcanic systems worldwide. His work increasingly integrates multiple monitoring techniques including ground-based sensors, aerial measurements, and satellite observations to develop more comprehensive volcanic monitoring systems.
Francesco Paolo La Mantia is a Full Professor of Polymer Technology at the University of Palermo , specializing in polymer processing, recycling, and nanocomposites. He has served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2004-2010) and currently holds the role of Pro-Rector for Strategic Planning and Recruitment Policies. Research Focus: Rheology, mechanical properties, and environmental degradation of polymeric materials Leadership: Director of the Environmental Chemical Engineering Laboratory (INCA Consortium), Coordinator of national/international research projects His scientific activity spans polymer blends, biodegradable systems, compatibilization techniques, and sustainable material design. He has contributed to over 290 ISI publications and 6 patents, with a h-index of 32 (Google Scholar 2013). The article trends (2025-2021) demonstrate sustained innovation in biodegradable polymer systems, recycling of heterogeneous waste, compatibilization strategies, and nanocomposite applications. His work addresses critical challenges in microplastics generation, agricultural polymer durability, and circular economy frameworks. Professional Roles: President of AIMAT Former President and current Treasurer of MoDeSt International Society Editorial Board Member: Polymer Degradation and Stability , Polimery , Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology Referee for national (MIUR, CNR) and international research agencies
Sara Baldoni is a non-tenured Assistant Professor at the Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Electronics from Roma Tre University (2018–2021) and was a Post-Doctoral researcher there until February 2023. Her research focuses on communication security, navigation systems, and multimedia processing, with a strong emphasis on GNSS, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), and sensor fusion. Education: Bachelor in Electronics Engineering (2016, Roma Tre University) Master in ICT Engineering (2018, Roma Tre University) Ph.D. in Applied Electronics (2021, Roma Tre University) Research interests include anomaly detection in CPS, GNSS integrity enhancement, and VR/AR applications. She leads projects such as ISEEYOO (CPS anomaly detection), RAILGAP (rail positioning via GNSS), and INSECTT (secure IoT-AI systems). Her work integrates machine learning, signal processing, and cybersecurity to improve system resilience and user experience in critical infrastructure and immersive technologies. Notable contributions include frameworks for GNSS imaging fusion, context-aware security, and VR saliency modeling. Ongoing projects emphasize rail safety (VOLIERA, RAILGAP) and AI-driven anomaly detection (ISEEYOO).
Filip Agneessens serves as a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Trento, Italy, with contact details including office location at Via Verdi, 26 - 38122 Trento and email filip.agneessens@unitn.it. His academic role focuses on advancing social network methodologies within sociological and organizational contexts. His research expertise encompasses Group dynamics, Social network analysis, Organizational behavior, and Diversity management, with particular emphasis on negative ties in networks, ethnic diversity effects, and methodological innovations for workplace network studies. This interdisciplinary focus bridges sociology, psychology, and organizational science to examine how network structures shape group processes and individual outcomes. Agneessens' recent publications reveal consistent scholarly contributions in social network analysis across domains including education (e.g., bullying dynamics in schools), public administration (governance networks), and organizational behavior (workplace conflict). His work demonstrates methodological leadership through the 2022 book Analyzing Social Networks Using R and empirical studies applying longitudinal and multilevel network approaches to real-world group phenomena.
Vicente Ríos is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Management, University of Pisa. He holds a PhD in Economics, Business and Law from the Public University of Navarre, a Master in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, and a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of Valencia. His research focuses on dynamic spatial panel data econometric models applied to economic growth, environmental quality, inequality, government quality, regional labor markets, and fiscal policy. He has published in journals like Energy Economics and Regional Studies . Ríos has consulted for Spanish regional governments on shadow economy estimation and worked at Caixa Bank and the Central Bank of Paraguay. His awards include the Spanish National Research Grant (2017), the Martin Beckmann RSAI Award (2020), and multiple regional economics accolades. His work bridges quantitative methods with policy relevance, emphasizing spatial dynamics in socio-economic phenomena. Education: PhD in Economics, Business and Law (Public University of Navarre) Master in Macroeconomic Policy and Financial Markets (Barcelona Graduate School of Economics) Bachelor's in Economics (University of Valencia) His publications analyze topics like the green transition, women's political empowerment impacts, and regional resilience. Research contributions span environmental policy, governance quality, and economic measurement innovations. Awards: Spanish National Competition for Economic Research Grants (2017) Martin Beckmann RSAI Award (2020) Alexandre Pedrós Award (2016) Juan Ramón Cuadrado Award (2014, 2016) GSSI-AISRe Award (2018)
Erik Dassi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO) within the University of Trento. His research focuses on RNA biology, particularly investigating RNA structure-functional relationships, translational control mechanisms, and their implications in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and genetic disorders. He specializes in exploring how RNA modifications, G-quadruplex structures, and post-transcriptional regulatory networks drive disease processes and therapeutic resistance. Teaching activities include courses on Computational Biology, Cancer Genomics, Genomics Technologies, Programming, and Scientific Programming. His work emphasizes integrative approaches combining experimental and computational methods, such as polysomal profiling, allele-specific proteomics, and single-cell transcriptomics. Key research themes include: RNA G-quadruplex regulation of mitochondrial translation and energy metabolism ( n =3 articles in 2025), YTHDF proteins as tumor drivers in m6A pathways ( n =2 articles in 2024), and circular RNA roles in Huntington’s disease ( n =4 articles across 2021-2024). His work highlights translational reprogramming in cancer therapy resistance and RNA-based biomarker discovery.
Enrico Blanzieri is an Associate Professor at the University of Trento's Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science. His research focuses on artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, quantum computing, machine learning, and computational biology. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects such as Vitis OneGenE for gene network analysis and quantum machine learning pipelines. His teaching includes courses like Algorithms for Bioinformatics, Quantum Machine Learning, and Data Mining. Blanzieri's work bridges theoretical foundations and practical applications, with notable contributions in quantum annealing-based algorithms, gene network expansion using distributed computing, and socially-competent artificial agents. His research integrates computational methods with biological systems, addressing challenges in precision agriculture and systems biology. His recent publications emphasize quantum machine learning advancements, causal role attribution in gene networks, and ethical AI frameworks for language models. Collaborative projects include the GENE@HOME volunteer computing initiative for bioinformatics tasks. Blanzieri also engages in educational activities, supervising courses that blend theoretical computer science with real-world applications.
Dr. Anna Borghi investigates how concepts are grounded in sensory-motor and social experiences through the lens of embodied cognition. Her Words As social Tools (WAT) theory proposes that abstract concepts rely more heavily on linguistic and social experiences than concrete concepts. Central research themes: Neural and behavioral foundations of abstract concepts Role of language and inner speech in conceptual processing Social dimensions of conceptual representation Cross-cultural differences in concept formation Development of abstract thought in children Recent work employs multimodal methodologies including thermal imaging, motion tracking, and computational modeling. Publications demonstrate growing interest in real-world applications such as autism interventions and AI communication systems. Current projects examine conceptual processing during the COVID-19 pandemic and politeness strategies in human-chatbot interactions.
Piero Fraternali is Full Professor of Web Technologies at Politecnico di Milano, where he leads research on software engineering methodologies for web applications and environmental intelligence systems. His work spans model-driven development, human computation, and AI-powered computer vision. He co-founded WebRatio (commercializing model-driven web development tools) and Servitly (focused on social business process management). His PeakLens app has over 2 million users. Current research explores environmental crime detection through geospatial AI and waste monitoring via satellite imagery. Earlier contributions include the OMG-standardized Interaction Flow Modeling Language (IFML) for application design. He has led several EU projects including PERIVALLON (combating environmental crime) and enCOMPASS (behavioral energy saving). His group develops deep learning methods for gravitational lens analysis and industrial predictive maintenance.
Mirco Rampazzo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Padova. His research focuses on advanced control systems, smart grid stability, machine learning applications in energy systems, and fault detection in medical devices like artificial pancreas systems. He leads projects on energy-efficient HVAC systems, real-time optimization of heat pumps, and adversarial robustness in critical infrastructure. His work integrates machine learning with traditional control engineering, addressing challenges in thermal systems (e.g., CO2 heat pumps), grid resilience against cyberattacks, and automation in industrial processes. Key contributions include the GAN-GRID framework for smart grid security and FaultGuard for resilient fault prediction. Rampazzo also explores extremum-seeking control algorithms for optimization in complex systems, such as data center cooling and sludge drying processes. His publications span journals and conferences, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to energy, healthcare, and industrial automation. He maintains an active role in editorial and academic activities, including peer review and course development for engineering education. Current research activities include reinforcement learning for anesthesia control and elastic shape analysis for textile quality assessment.
Pietro D'Agostino is a Ph.D. candidate in Computer and Control Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Department of Control and Computer Engineering (DAUIN), currently in his 38th cycle (2022-2025), while serving as an external lecturer and teaching assistant for Model-based software design courses in the Mechatronic Engineering program. His educational background includes a Bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering (2020) and a Master's degree in Mechatronic Engineering (2022), both from the Polytechnic University of Turin. Research focuses on fog computing and artificial intelligence integration for industrial IoT, developing real-time edge-processing architectures with sandboxing mechanisms for third-party extensibility and AI-driven predictive maintenance systems that anticipate equipment failures to reduce downtime. This work bridges control systems engineering with embedded IoT technologies to enhance industrial reliability. His 2023-2025 publications demonstrate consistent innovation in industrial predictive maintenance, featuring vibration-based anomaly detection, scalable fog computing solutions, and optimized AI algorithms for resource-constrained embedded deployment, emphasizing low-latency processing and customizable industrial applications. No scientific awards were mentioned in the source material. As a Ph.D. candidate, he does not currently advise students, and research grant details were not provided. He actively contributes to the CAD - Electronic CAD & Reliability Group (DAUIN), focusing on electronic design automation and system reliability in industrial contexts.
