About me
Academic Life
I earned a PhD in Computer Science on June 26, 2024, from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. I also hold a degree in Physics, specializing in Complex Systems Physics, from the same university. My PhD thesis is "From Ants to Crowds: Harnessing Competition for Optimization." My research interests include swarm intelligence, complex adaptive systems, collective behavior, and agent-based modeling.
I am affiliated with the Complex Intelligent Systems (CIS) Research Group at the University of Catania and my supervisor is Professor Mario Pavone. During my PhD fellowship, I had the opportunity to present my work at several international conferences (ISCMI2020, BIOMA2020, MIC2022, OLA2022, BIOMA2022, SSC2023), participate in workshops (WIVACE2022), and attend specialized schools (MESS2020+1, MESS2024). I was also part of the local organizing committee for MESS2020+1, MIC2022, and MESS2024. Additionally, I served as a reviewer for the Artificial Life journal by MIT Press and for MIC2022 and ECAI2024. I also had teaching lectures on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) and swarm intelligence in the "Natural Computing" course (MSc in Computer Science), as well as other lectures in the "Scientific and Linguistic Methodology - Informatics" course. I’ve also covered advanced topics in ACO, NetLogo Software, and Agent-Based Models for various courses in Computer Science.
I spent time abroad at the University of Manchester and am currently collaborating with Angelo Cangelosi from the University of Manchester and Marta Romeo from Heriot-Watt University on research focusing on the role of trust in multi-agent systems.
Beyond Academia
My comprehensive resume is accessible here. Below, you’ll find a detailed overview of the activities that have shaped my professional growth.
During my university years in Catania, I engaged in various extracurricular activities and cultivated a range of passions. In 2011, I discovered photography, which quickly evolved into a serious hobby. I spent countless hours capturing moments around the city and refining my editing skills with Photoshop. In 2012, I decided to apply my skills and joined LiveUniCT, the university newspaper, as a photographer. For about three years, I worked alongside editors, contributed to articles, and participated in local events. At that time, LiveUniCT was a small entity but aimed to become an officially recognized journal. In 2014, I participated with the team in the StartUp Academy, a university contest that encourages students to transform ideas into entrepreneurial projects. While we didn't win, the insights and ideas gained during the contest played a significant role in the eventual success of the project.
In parallel, I worked as a math and physics tutor at Campus Athena, assisting students with homework and test preparation. Although initially nervous about teaching, I quickly gained confidence and discovered the rewarding experience of helping students grasp complex subjects. My work at Campus Athena culminated in preparing final-year high school students for medical school entrance exams.
In 2017, due to growing university commitments, I ended my collaboration with Campus Athena but continued tutoring through another organization. In 2018, I embarked on a new project with the non-profit organization Mediterraneo Sicilia Europa, where I mentored a student from outside Europe who had earned a scholarship for academic excellence. This project lasted for the academic year, after which I decided to focus fully on my final exams for my master's degree.
From late 2018 to early 2020, I continued offering private tutoring in math and physics, assisting a small group of students whenever time allowed. In March 2020, following the lockdown in Italy, I transitioned to online tutoring. Despite the challenges, my students and I successfully navigated assignments and exam preparations via Skype. By the end of 2020, I decided to leave Catania and start a new chapter in my career: pursuing a Ph.D., which I began remotely due to the pandemic.