Vittorio Solina is a Researcher at the Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering (DIMEG) of the University of Calabria, specializing in industrial systems simulation and digital twin technologies. His work spans Industry 4.0/5.0 applications, supply chain optimization, and human-robot collaboration. Affiliation: University of Calabria Academic Role: Researcher (Legge 240/10) Research Focus: Digital twins, simulation modeling, sustainable manufacturing His research emphasizes advanced simulation tools for decision support, including applications in Industry 4.0 , Smart Manufacturing , and Agri-Food Supply Chains . Recent work explores adaptive simulation optimization for Industry 5.0 and 5G-enabled robotics. Key publication trends include: (1) Digital twin integration for supply chain resilience (2024-2025), (2) Simulation automation methodologies (2025), and (3) Human-robot collaboration frameworks (2024).
Francesco Pilati is an Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, where he serves as local coordinator for the scientific field ING-IND/17 (Industrial Plants and Logistic Systems). He chairs the research group on Industrial Plants, Production Systems, and Logistics, and teaches courses in Industrial Plants and Design of Digital Production and Assembly Systems. As coordinator of the Master's program in Management and Industrial Systems Engineering and University Coordinator for the EIT double degree in Zero-Defect Manufacture, Pilati bridges academic leadership with advanced manufacturing research. He has also served as Invited Lecturer at universities in Vienna and Göttingen. His research focuses on integrating environmental sustainability with technical-economic criteria through multi-objective optimization and impact assessment. Key areas include: Distribution networks and warehousing systems Manufacturing and assembly line design Hybrid energy production systems Digitization of manual production processes using depth cameras Recent publications highlight applications of Industry 4.0 technologies to pandemic safety, logistics optimization, and smart manufacturing. Pilati has received significant recognition including the Philip Morris Italia Empowering Research Award (2016) and Autostrade per l'Italia academic recognition. His editorial contributions include guest editing special issues on Digital Twins and Smart Factories in Q1 journals.
Mirco Musolesi is a Full Professor of Computer Science at both University College London (UCL) and the University of Bologna. He leads the Machine Intelligence Lab at UCL, part of the UCL Centre for Artificial Intelligence. His research focuses on Machine Learning, Generative AI, and computational models of human behavior, with applications in ubiquitous systems and societal impacts of AI. Education: PhD in Computer Science from UCL (2007) and Laurea in Electronic Engineering from the University of Bologna (2002). Previous roles include positions at the University of Birmingham, Dartmouth College, and the Alan Turing Institute. Research spans multi-agent systems, reinforcement learning, and AI ethics. Notable awards include ACM UbiComp 10-Year Impact Award (2020/2024) and the NetExplorateur/UNESCO Top 100 Innovations (2011). His work on EmotionSense and CenceMe applications has been recognized with Test-of-Time awards. Recent publications (2024-2025) address moral alignment in AI agents, multi-agent environmental policy simulations, and creativity in LLMs. His labs explore AI-driven solutions for urban systems and ethical decision-making frameworks.
Federico Miretti is an Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin, affiliated with the Department of Energy and the interdepartmental center Cars@PoliTo. His research focuses on hybrid and electric vehicles, with emphasis on energy management strategies, battery state estimation, and sustainable transport solutions. PhD in Energetics from Polytechnic University of Turin Research areas include: Optimization-based Energy Management Strategies for hybrid propulsion systems Simulation and digital twinning of hybrid systems Thermal management for electrified vehicles Techno-economic assessment of mobility solutions Recent publications highlight advancements in battery temperature anomaly detection, wireless power transfer feasibility, and control algorithms for energy efficiency. His work aligns with SDGs 7 (Clean Energy) and 9 (Innovation). Teaching roles include: Fluid Machinery (2019-2025) Energy Management in Hybrid/Electric Vehicles (2021-2025) Projects: PRoSIT (2025): Predictive thermal management demonstrator Consulting contract with MIDAC SpA (2025): Battery Digital Twin development EBOAT project (2025-2026): Technical support for Vulkan
Paolo Sellari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Sapienza University of Rome, where he contributes significantly to research and teaching in political and economic geography, geopolitics, and infrastructure security. He is affiliated with the research group Geopolitics of the Sea and plays a key role in the Master in Geopolitics and Global Security , contributing to curriculum development and academic supervision. Department: Department of Political Science University: Sapienza University of Rome Email: paolo.sellari@uniroma1.it His research interests span a broad yet interconnected spectrum, including maritime geopolitics, Mediterranean and Arctic strategic dynamics, Chinese foreign policy (especially the Belt and Road Initiative), infrastructure as instruments of power, and the geopolitics of climate change. He also explores unconventional intersections such as sports and geopolitics. His scholarly work emphasizes spatial dimensions of power, resilience, and connectivity in a rapidly transforming global order. The analysis of his recent publications (2023–2025) reveals a strong thematic consistency focused on maritime routes, infrastructure security, and the evolving geopolitical roles of the Mediterranean and Arctic regions. His work frequently addresses the interplay between physical geography and power projection, with a particular interest in how climate change, technological evolution, and strategic investments reshape global and regional orders. He contributes to both academic journals and reference works, including the Italian Encyclopedia. While specific scientific awards are not listed in the provided texts, his consistent publication record in reputable venues and leadership in advanced academic programs suggest recognition within the academic community. Sellari advises students through the Master in Geopolitics and Global Security and is involved in organizing seminars and educational content. Although no direct mention of grants is made, his editorial roles and institutional leadership imply active engagement in academic projects and collaborations. He supervises thesis work and contributes to academic discourse through prefaces, introductions, and editorial reviews. He is a core member of the Geopolitics of the Sea research group, which focuses on maritime spatial dynamics, naval security, and the geopolitical implications of oceanic infrastructure and climate change. This group serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting geography, political science, and security studies.
Matteo Brunelli is Associate Professor of “Mathematical Methods of Economics and Actuarial and Financial Sciences” at the University of Trento , Department of Industrial Engineering, and Adjunct Professor (docent) at Lappeenranta University of Technology , Finland. He is nationally habilitated as Full Professor in Italy and has held long-term visiting positions at Berkeley, Turku, Auckland, JAIST and Binghamton. Education: Ph.D. (Doctor of Science) in Information Technologies, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, 2011 – graded Eximia cum laude approbatur M.Sc. in Economics, University of Trento, 2007 – grade 110/110 cum laude B.Sc. in Economics, University of Trento, 2005 Research focus: Brunelli’s work sits at the intersection of multi-criteria decision analysis , operations research and computational optimisation . He develops axiomatic foundations and algorithms for pairwise comparison matrices , consistency indices , the best-worst method and fuzzy preference relations , and applies them to energy planning, sustainable inventory, maintenance scheduling, 3-D printer selection, and blockchain governance. His 2023-2025 articles reveal intensified interest in uncertainty modelling (Dempster-Shafer theory), bi-objective optimisation of inventory and maintenance, and group decision protocols that integrate probabilistic or active-learning components, demonstrating both methodological depth and practical relevance. Scientific awards & grants: Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher grant (€254 670, 2014-2017) Claudio Dematté Research Grant (€19 000, 2008) Teacher of the Year Award, Aalto University (2013 – both Spring & Autumn semesters) Bernard Roy Award 2021 for outstanding contribution to Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding (under-40 category) Supervision & funding: While specific doctoral students are not listed, Brunelli currently supervises graduate theses at Trento and has continuously held competitive national grants. His Academy of Finland project “Consistency of valued preference relations for decision analytics methods” financed three years of full-time research and international collaboration. Editorial & community roles: He serves on the editorial boards of International Journal of General Systems and Mathematical and Computational Applications , and acts as area editor for Journal of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis , positioning him among the key gatekeepers of the MCDA community.
Guido Perboli is a Full Professor in the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP) at the Polytechnic University of Turin, where he also serves as Logistics Coordinator and Project Coordinator for activities supporting relationships with government bodies. He is a member of the Interdepartmental Center CARS@PoliTO (Center for Automotive Research and Sustainable Mobility) and serves as Director of the ICT for City Logistics and Enterprises (ICElab@Polito) research center, which he founded in 2016. His research interests span a broad range of topics including Operations Research, Logistics, Last-mile Delivery, Sustainable Logistics, Combinatorial Optimization, Stochastic Programming, Business Development, and Lean Business methodologies. His work particularly focuses on City Logistics, Green Logistics, and the application of emerging technologies like Blockchain and AI in supply chain management. He has developed GUEST, a Lean Business methodology for innovation processes from early idea definition to implementation. Professor Perboli's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on urban logistics, last-mile delivery optimization, blockchain applications in supply chains, and the integration of AI techniques in transportation systems. His work shows an increasing trend toward interdisciplinary research that combines optimization methods with emerging technologies to address sustainable urban mobility challenges. Professional Recognition: CASE Best Paper award from IEEE Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (2011) Effective member of INFORMS (2019-present) Effective member of EURO (1995-present) Effective member of AIRO (1995-present) Associate Editor for Journal of Applied Research and Technology (2020-present) Associate Editor for Sustainability (2018-present) Professor Perboli actively advises PhD students and has supervised numerous research projects, including EU-funded initiatives like SINFONICA, HESTER, and 5G-LOGINNOV. He serves as Scientific Director for multiple commercial research projects focused on blockchain, IoT, and AI applications in logistics. Beyond academia, he is Chief Scientific Officer of Arisk S.p.A., a fintech company specializing in business crisis prediction using AI and machine learning. His research group, ICElab@Polito, focuses on two main areas supporting urban growth: logistics and enterprises. The center collaborates with numerous companies including Amazon, DHL, and FCA, addressing real-world challenges in urban logistics and supply chain management through innovative research approaches.
Anna Corinna Cagliano is a Full Professor at the Department of Management and Production Engineering (DIGEP) , Polytechnic University of Turin . She is a member of the CARS@PoliTO Interdepartmental Center for Automotive Research and Sustainable Mobility, and serves as Deputy Coordinator of the Doctoral College in Management and Production Engineering . Research Interests: Industrial and manufacturing engineering, logistics, supply chain management, project risk analysis, healthcare logistics, and ICT applications in logistics. Scientific Affiliation: AIDI Italian Association of Industrial Plant Teachers since 2016. Research Trends: Her publications focus on the intersection of Industry 4.0 , lean manufacturing , and sustainability in logistics. Key areas include automated storage systems , digital twins in intra-logistics , and COVID-19 impacts on supply chains . She emphasizes ICT tools and risk management across industrial and healthcare contexts. Teaching Roles: She lectures on Industry 4.0 for Production Systems and Plants and Manufacturing Systems at the Master’s and Bachelor’s levels in Automotive and Management Engineering. She also supervises PhD students in Management and Production Engineering . PhD Students: Simone Preziosa (2024–ongoing) Abror Hoshimov (2019–2023) Mahsa Mahdavisharif (2019–2023)
Fabio Furini is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Automatics, and Management (DIAG) at Sapienza University of Rome since September 2021. Prior to this position, he served as a CNR researcher at IASI-CNR in Rome (2020-2021), Maître de Conférences at Université Paris-Dauphine, France (2013-2019), postdoctoral researcher at Université Paris-13, France (2012-2013), and research fellow at the University of Bologna (2011-2012). His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Control Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Bologna in 2011. He further obtained the Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) in France in 2017 and the National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor in Operations Research in Italy in 2019. Fabio Furini conducts theoretical and methodological research on Combinatorial Optimization and Operations Research. His primary focus is on developing exact algorithms based on decomposition and reformulation techniques for integer linear programming problems. His research spans various applications including network optimization, graph theory, and combinatorial problems such as the maximum clique problem, bin packing problem, and vertex separator problem. His work often bridges theoretical developments with practical applications in transportation, logistics, and network security. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on exact algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems, particularly in network interdiction, bin packing with temporal constraints, and graph-based problems. His work consistently combines integer programming techniques with combinatorial search methods to develop novel formulations and efficient solution approaches that advance the state-of-the-art in these domains. Among his notable scientific awards are the Prime d'encadrement doctoral et de recherche (PEDR), which he received annually from 2014 to 2020, recognizing him among the top 15% of researchers in the French university system. He also holds the prestigious Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches from France (2017) and the National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor in Operations Research from Italy (2019). Fabio Furini has been actively involved in supervising PhD students and has served as principal investigator for numerous national and international research projects. His extensive network includes over 60 co-authors across European and American universities. He is also a member of the editorial boards for three prestigious international journals: Omega, Annals of Operations Research, and Discrete Applied Mathematics. His research activities include collaborations with various institutions across Europe and the United States, including Imperial College London and the University of Colorado. These collaborations have resulted in a robust research program focused on advancing the theoretical foundations and practical applications of combinatorial optimization.
Barbara Bigliardi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, with national scientific qualification for full professor in Economic-Management Engineering (SSD ING-IND/35). She serves as President of the Management Engineering Program at University of Parma and Director of Bachelor's/Master's programs at University of San Marino, co-leading double-degree initiatives between the two institutions. Over 100 publications (57 SCOPUS-indexed) with H-index=20 Editorial roles: Cambridge Scholars Publishing (2019), MDPI Sustainability, Sci, European Journal of Innovation Management Key research areas: Open Innovation, Technology Transfer, Food Industry Innovation, Industry 4.0, Supply Chain Sustainability Recent Publications (2024-2025) demonstrate leadership in: Industry 4.0 integration with circular economy AI applications in public administration and healthcare Digitalization of food supply chains Green startup resource orchestration Simulation-based optimization in remanufacturing Sustainable additive manufacturing Scientific Recognition : 2005 Emerald Highly Commended Award 2013 Most Cited Paper in Trends in Food Science & Technology 2019 Highly Cited Paper in Review of Policy Research Research Leadership includes: National Observatory on Start-ups (President since 2021) National Observatory on Reputation (Vice President since 2019) INAIL-funded mobile risk assessment systems (2018-2020) INAF space technology transfer projects (2018-present) Academic Contributions : Supervised over 300 theses Deputy Coordinator of Industrial Engineering Doctoral Program Director of Management Engineering Programs (Parma & San Marino) Founder of academic spin-offs: Sistemi per il marketing di contenuto S.r.l. (2016-present), Univenture SrL (2006-2010)
Lorenzo Bruno Prataviera is a Tenure Track Researcher (Ricercatore) in the Department of Management at the University of Verona since October 2024. Previously, he served as Senior Lecturer in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Cranfield School of Management (until September 2024), where he also acted as Deputy Director of the Master's program in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He holds a PhD in Management Engineering from Politecnico di Milano (2020) and was a Visiting PhD Scholar at Lund University’s Department of Logistics in Sweden. His research focuses on global supply chain design, sustainability, resilience, and the interplay between logistics and legal/tax frameworks. He has published in top-tier journals like Journal of Business Logistics (ABS 3), Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (ABS 3), and Business Strategy and the Environment (ABS 3). He leads the SHIELD project (2024–present), exploring digital advancements for sustainable and human-centric logistics. His work emphasizes circular economy principles, resilience strategies, and supply chain finance. He has also earned the Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) qualification in 2023, reflecting his commitment to educational excellence. Teaching: He teaches modules on supply chain design, logistics strategy, and qualitative research methods at the University of Verona’s Master’s programs in Supply Chain Management and Marketing/Corporate Communication. Third Mission: Engaged in public engagement and professional training programs, including initiatives related to supply chain sustainability and resilience. Research Groups: Part of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management group, which investigates innovative strategies for sustainability, circular economy, and resilience through interdisciplinary approaches. His research bridges academic theory and industry practice, addressing challenges such as tax optimization in global networks, post-pandemic resilience, and green logistics adoption. He collaborates with international institutions and maintains a strong focus on real-world applications of supply chain solutions.
Patrick Dallasega is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Plants at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Free University of Bolzano (Italy). He holds a PhD from the University of Stuttgart and has been a Visiting Scholar at Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA). His expertise spans supply chain management, Industry 4.0 integration in SMEs, lean construction methodologies, and sustainable production planning in ETO/MTO environments. He teaches Project Management and Industrial Plants courses in Industrial Mechanical Engineering programs. His research focuses on digital transformation in manufacturing, including smart mobile factories, augmented reality applications for training, and synchronization of production and on-site assembly processes. Collaborative projects like the AR-enhanced industrial training initiative with Memc aim to reduce errors and costs in complex industrial setups. His work emphasizes human-centered technology integration, sustainability, and real-time data utilization for adaptive production strategies. Education Bachelor/Master: Free University of Bolzano (Italy) MSc: Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy) PhD: University of Stuttgart (Germany) Research Interests Professor Dallasega’s research explores the intersection of Industry 4.0 technologies with lean manufacturing principles, particularly in complex Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Make-to-Order (MTO) sectors. He investigates how digital twin frameworks, augmented reality (AR), and real-time data analytics can enhance supply chain resilience, reduce operational losses, and improve workforce training efficiency. His work also addresses sustainability challenges in mobile and distributed manufacturing systems, emphasizing eco-friendly logistics and smart factory design. Key Projects Recent collaborations include: Development of an AR-based training module to boost procedural knowledge retention in machinery setups Comparative studies on Industry 4.0 adoption in SMEs across Europe and Asia Framework for digital twin-driven quality control in precast manufacturing Grants & Advising No specific grants or student advisees are listed in the provided data. His focus remains on collaborative industry projects and institutional teaching responsibilities. Labs & Teams Involved in cross-disciplinary teams at the Free University of Bolzano, particularly in the NOI Techpark innovation hub. Leads initiatives on smart mobile factories and human-centered robotics applications in manufacturing environments.
Fabiana Pirola is an Associate Professor at the University of Bergamo, holding positions in both the Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Department of Management, Information, and Production Engineering. Her academic career spans over 17 years since completing her PhD at the University of Bergamo, progressing through research fellow positions to her current associate professorship in the ING-IND/17 – MECHANICAL INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS scientific sector. Her research interests focus on supply chain management , risk management , service engineering , and industrial maintenance , with recent emphasis on Industry 4.0 and 5.0 technologies. She investigates how digital innovations connect with the design and management of production and service delivery systems, bridging theoretical research with industrial applications through collaborations with organizations like AFIL (Lombardy smart factory technology cluster), Confindustria Bergamo, and Consorzio Intellimech. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on Product-Service Systems (PSS), digital transformation in manufacturing, and workforce development for Industry 4.0/5.0. Her work spans sustainability assessment of PSS, AI education through learning factories, servitization business models, and human factors in technology adoption. A significant portion of her research addresses practical implementation challenges in industrial settings, particularly through data-driven approaches to maintenance, service delivery, and decision-making. Dr. Pirola leads multiple significant research projects including Co-Creative Decision-Makers for 5.0 Organizations (Erasmus+, 2023), Green and Resilient European Excellence Network for Smart MED SMEs (2024), Methods and Tools Supporting Digital Product Service System Passport (Horizon Europe, 2024), and TechFact - Design and adoption of Teaching Factories (PRIN Projects, 2023). She teaches various courses related to production management, operations modeling and simulation, and service engineering across multiple engineering programs at the University of Bergamo.
Andrea Appolloni is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata. His academic career focuses on Management with emphasis on Sustainable Supply Chain Management , Digital Transformation , and Circular Economy . His research explores the intersection of technological innovation and sustainability, particularly through topics like AI in Logistics , Green Procurement , and Policy Optimization . Publications span both theoretical frameworks and empirical studies in China, Italy, and Malaysia, with a strong focus on environmental impact and organizational performance. Recent work includes digital twin applications for human-AI collaboration, blockchain integration in sustainable supply chains, and analyzing barriers to circular economy adoption. His 15 most recent articles (2025-2022) demonstrate a trend toward combining Artificial Intelligence , Operations Management , and Environmental Governance .
Alexander Kocian is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Aalborg University (Denmark) and a Master's in Electrical Engineering from TU Vienna (Austria). His research focuses on Machine Learning, IoT, Agro Informatics, Health Informatics, and Real-time embedded systems. He has led major projects like AGRITECH (€40M funded by PNRR) and FuorisuoloSmart, advancing smart agriculture and healthcare technologies. Dr. Kocian serves as IEEE Senior Member (since 2024) and EAI Fellow (since 2022). He is Associate Editor of IEEE Access (2025–present), and Editorial Board member of Stats (2019–present) and Signals (2020–present). He has organized conferences like the EAI Int. Conf. on Intelligent Transport Systems (INTSYS) as General Chair (2024) and Steering Committee Member (2023). His work includes 50+ peer-reviewed publications, 4 patents, and contributions to telemedicine platforms like TESHEALTH (ESA-funded). Key projects span precision farming, IoT-based greenhouses, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. Current efforts emphasize data spaces for agritech and health informatics interoperability.
