Giovanni Iacca

Giovanni Iacca is an Associate Professor at the University of Trento's Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI), where he serves as Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Computer Science and Deputy Director of the Information Engineering and Computer Science Doctoral School. He leads the Distributed Intelligence and Optimization Lab (DIOL) and teaches courses including Computer Architectures, Introduction to Machine Learning, Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence, and Optimization Techniques across multiple academic programs.

• PhD in Computer Science, University of Jyväskylä, Finland (2011)
• MSc in Computer Engineering, Technical University of Bari, Italy (2006)

Professor Iacca's research focuses on the intersection of evolutionary computation, machine learning, and optimization with applications in distributed systems and robotics. His work spans from theoretical foundations of memetic computing and multi-objective optimization to practical implementations in soft robotics, embedded systems, and healthcare applications. Recent efforts emphasize interpretable AI, particularly in reinforcement learning contexts, where his team develops methods to make decision processes transparent while maintaining performance. His research bridges the gap between fundamental algorithmic development and real-world engineering challenges, with over 15 years of industrial experience in optimization applied to engineering, logistics, and scheduling.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward interpretable AI systems, particularly in reinforcement learning contexts, with significant contributions to federated learning optimization, evolutionary neural architecture search, and applications in healthcare scheduling. His work consistently combines evolutionary algorithms with modern machine learning techniques to solve complex optimization problems across diverse domains including soft robotics, batteryless edge computing, and supply chain management.

Scientific Awards:

• EvoApplications Best Paper Award (2017)
• UKCI AWARENESS Best Paper Award (2012)
• IEEE CIS Outstanding Student-Paper Award (2011)

Professor Iacca actively supervises a large research group with numerous PhD students across multiple doctoral programs, including Information Engineering and Computer Science, Industrial Innovation, and the National PhD in Artificial Intelligence for Society. His lab has secured significant research funding through collaborations with industry partners and international research consortia. Recent grants support work on interpretable reinforcement learning, federated optimization, and applications of evolutionary computation in healthcare and robotics. He has also been appointed to editorial roles for prestigious journals including IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation and Evolutionary Intelligence.

The Distributed Intelligence and Optimization Lab (DIOL) under Professor Iacca's leadership comprises over 30 researchers including postdocs, PhD students, and master's students. The lab maintains strong international collaborations and has developed specialized expertise in evolutionary computation, interpretable AI, and optimization for embedded systems. Current projects include work on the EIC Pathfinder Challenge "Awareness Inside," development of methods for batteryless edge intelligence, and applications of evolutionary algorithms to healthcare scheduling problems.