About me

My existence began on September in 1988, in Lombardy (a region in northern Italy), on a warm late summer afternoon. Childhood for me was like a playground for science enthusiasts, and you can blame it all on a mesmerizing little gadget—the kaleidoscope. Picture me, spending hours enchanted by the colorful glass pieces, moving them around to unveil the kaleidoscopic magic of patterns. Amidst the kaleidoscopes and an ever-growing collection of Lego sets, my early years unfolded joyfully. Fast forward to age 7, a plot twist in my adventure unfolded, and due to a series of events, I moved to Sicily (a region in southern Italy), in a small town on the east coast near Siracusa named Cassibile. The name might not ring a bell, but it's actually quite famous because just outside the town, the armistice of the Second World War was signed in a district nearby.

In Cassibile, I made my first friendships and went through elementary and middle school. I loved studying, especially the sciences. When the time came to choose high school, the obvious choice was the scientific high school in Siracusa. However, something unexpected happened during high school. Despite my passion for science, physics, and mathematics, the latter proved to be elusive, and no matter how hard I tried, good grades in math eluded me. I didn't let it get me down, though. I knew that even if my grades didn't reflect my passion, that was still my path. The turning point occurred in the final year. During a math class, I sought advice from a substitute teacher regarding university choices. I candidly admitted, "Prof, I love physics, but I fear failure." Her empowering response was simple yet profound: "You love it? Then do it!" And so, upon completing my secondary education, I made the decision to enroll in the physics faculty at the University of Catania in October 2007.

Starting university, I decided to move to Catania, one of the largest university cities about 60 km from home. Throughout my years as an out-of-town student, I changed residences three times, sharing a living space with over fifteen housemates. I'm not exaggerating when I say that, for better or worse, it was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I'll never forget the intense late-night study sessions leading up to exams, intertwined with dinners and gatherings organized at home with friends. Oh yes, in the meantime, I also attended classes and took exams. So, between one exam and another, I earned my bachelor's degree in 2013, and in March 2020, amidst the pandemic, I completed my master's degree. Pandemic life hit me like a comedy plot twist—I spent lockdown months solo in Catania, pondering my life's choices. And what did I decide? Why not level up the academic game and dive into a Ph.D.? So, there I go, applying for a Ph.D. in computer science, because, you know, who needs a dull, straightforward journey anyway?

And here we are at the checkpoint! Officially, my Ph.D. kicked off in October 2020, and as I pen down these lines, it is still in progress but inching towards its end. In a few months, I'll be submitting my thesis into the academic arena and defending it like a knight guarding a dragon's lair. Now, let's talk PhD reality: it's a wild ride, full of highs, lows, and those moments where you question every life choice. Maybe I should've taken up interpretive dance instead. Yet, here I am, ready to face the academic dragon and share my story of these three intense years. Who knew a PhD could be so entertaining? Stay tuned for the grand finale!