Paola LEO

Paola LEO is an Associate Professor (II Fascia) in Metallurgy at the Department of Innovation Engineering, University of Salento. She holds a PhD in Materials Engineering and has over 20 years of academic and research experience. Her work focuses on light alloys, severe plastic deformation, friction stir welding, laser welding, and additive manufacturing. She directs the Metallurgy Lab and has supervised over 100 students and research fellows.

• Education: Materials Engineering degree from University of Salento (1999/2000), PhD in Materials Engineering (2005)
• Affiliations: Member of Italian Association of Metallurgy (COMET Committee)
• Research Interests: Hot deformation of alloys, microstructural evolution, welding technologies, additive manufacturing

Her research highlights include studies on magnesium alloys' hot deformation, FSW of dissimilar joints, and laser welding of titanium-aluminum composites. Over 100 publications span journals like Materials Science and Engineering and conferences such as TMS Annual Meeting.

Grants & Labs: Involved in projects on metallurgical process innovation. Leads the Metallurgy Lab and contributes to strategic research committees at the university.