Profile
I am a 28-year-old Ph.D. candidate in Aerospace Science and Technology, currently working as a research fellow at the University of Bologna under the SPACE IT UP project.

After completing my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering, I shifted my focus to computer vision and artificial intelligence for satellite autonomous navigation. This transition began in 2021 when I received a research scholarship co-funded by Thales Alenia Space Italia.
Education

Doctorate - Aerospace Science and Technology

Nov. 2021 - Oct. 2024
Nov. 2021 - Oct. 2024 at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

My Ph.D. focuses on autonomous satellite navigation for proximity and docking operations. I specialize in monocular pose estimation using deep learning, emphasizing algorithm deployability and domain gap. In 2022 I ranked 4th and 5th in the ESA’s satellite pose estimation challenge. From February to July 2024 I conducted a research visit at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning (Adelaide, Australia), working on structure from motion.

Supervisor: Prof. Paolo Tortora; co-supervisor: Prof. Dario Modenini.

Master of Science - Aerospace Engineering

Oct. 2018 - Dec. 2020
Oct. 2018 - Dec. 2020 at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

I contributed to a microsatellite mission study, focusing on attitude and power subsystems, and developed a thermal analysis model for LEO satellites. I conducted my thesis in collaboration with Alén Space (Spain) on the preliminary design of the communication system for an ESA-contracted robotic lunar cave exploration study.

Exam average (out of 30): 29.87; graduation mark (out of 110): 110 with honours.

Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering

Sep. 2015 - Oct. 2018
Sep. 2015 - Oct. 2018 at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

My internship and final thesis focused on GPS algorithms for orbit determination.

Exam average (out of 30): 29.40; graduation mark (out of 110): 110 with honours.

Experience

Research Fellow

Nov. 2024 - Current
Nov. 2024 - Current at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

Research topic: onboard technologies for attitude and orbital control of satellites in very low Earth orbit.

Students Supervisor

Aug. 2021 - Current
Aug. 2021 - Current at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

Since joining the Microsatellites and Space Microsystems Lab in February 2021, I have supervised 7 BSc and 1 MSc students from the Aerospace Engineering programs during their internships and final thesis projects.

Teaching Tutor

Oct. 2018 - Sep. 2024
Oct. 2018 - Sep. 2024 at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

  • • Summer School in Industrial Engineering for Advanced Automotive (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • • Calculus and Linear Algebra (2021)
  • • Degree Program Tutor (2019)

MATLAB Ambassador

Nov. 2021 - Jun. 2023
Nov. 2021 - Jun. 2023 at MathWorks, Italy

During my initial two years of Ph.D., I engaged in two contracts with MathWorks through Adecco S.p.A. Within this period, I organized MathWorks-branded events aimed at promoting awareness of MathWorks products among students. Additionally, I conducted seminars within engineering bachelor's and master's degree courses at the University of Bologna, focusing primarily on MATLAB applications in numerical computing and deep learning.

Research Fellow

Feb. 2021 - Oct. 2021
Feb. 2021 - Oct. 2021 at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

This project involved conducting a feasibility analysis on the application of neural networks for satellite pose estimation. In this framework I created a photorealistic dataset of a COSMO-SkyMed spacecraft using Blender and developed a pose estimation algorithm utilizing neural networks in TensorFlow. The pose estimation software has been finely tuned for real-time inference on a Coral Dev Board Mini. This research project received funding from Thales Alenia Space Italia.

EUROAVIA Executive

Sep. 2018 - Sep. 2019
Sep. 2018 - Sep. 2019 at EUROAVIA Forlì-Bologna, Italy

I am a proud co-founder of EUROAVIA Forlì-Bologna, the University of Bologna’s affiliated society within the European Association of Aerospace Students. In 2018, I represented the association at the AMEAC Congress in Bremen. I also contributed in the organization of the Aerodynamics Symposium, the association’s inaugural international event.

Private Tutor

Since Apr. 2017
Since Apr. 2017

Since my second year of bachelor's studies, I have been providing private lessons in mathematics, physics, and chemistry for high school and university students.

Skills
  • Science: #SpaceSystems #Navigation #ComputerVision #DeepLearning
  • </>Skills: #Python #TensorFlow #GitHub #MATLAB #AWS #Blender #TracePro
  • Interests: #Teaching #Tech #PersonalFinance #Politics #Running #Volley
Projects
For an overview of current and past projects, check out the dedicated section.
Certifications
Talks & seminars
  • “Beyond Pixels: The Power of Satellite Vision”, workshop on deep learning - Euroavia Forlì-Bologna, InSpace Symposium, October 7, 2023.
  • “MATLAB Workshop”, exercise session in MATLAB Grader, University of Bologna – Principle of Informatics, Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, May 29, 2023.
  • “Numerical Computing with MATLAB”, 4-hour seminar, University of Bologna – Master’s Degrees in Mechanical and Energy Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, February 10-13-15, 2023.
  • “MATLAB Onramp”, 2-hour online seminar, University of Bologna – Bachelor degree students , MATLAB Ambassador Program, November 22, 2022.
  • “MATLAB Deep Learning Workshop”, Fabbrica delle Candele (Forlì), Bachelor’s and Master students from Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering courses, MATLAB Ambassador Program, May 14, 2022.
  • “MATLAB Workshop”, exercise session in MATLAB Grader, University of Bologna – Principle of Informatics, Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, May 11, 2022.
  • “Numerical Computing with MATLAB”, 3-hour seminar, University of Bologna – Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, February 18, 2022.
  • “MATLAB Fundamentals”, 3-hour seminar, University of Bologna – Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, MATLAB Ambassador Program, February 17, 2022.
  • “Innovators in Space”, T-Talk, Telespazio SpA, February 2, 2022.
  • “MATLAB Onramp”, 2-hour online seminar, University of Bologna – Bachelor degree students , MATLAB Ambassador Program, December 14 and 20, 2021.
  • “Artificial intelligence in space”, talk, Euroavia Forlì-Bologna, Space Rendez-Vous, November 4, 2021.