Biography
Born in Nola close to Naples (Italy), before joining University of Southampton in the September 2024, he was Associate Professor of Aerospace Structures at University of Salento (Italy), Department of Engineering for Innovation, and Vice-Chancellor for the International Affairs. He got the Degree in Aeronautical Engineering (specialised in Aerospace Structures) at University of Naples “Federico II” in 1996 with full honours. He achieved in 2001 the Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at University of Naples “Federico II” discussing a thesis on the following topic: “Mistuning effects on the dynamic behaviour of bladed discs employed in turbomachinery”, Tutor: Prof. L. Lecce. He performed research activities at University of Naples since 1997 to 2008 within different Research Programmes, Contracts with Private and Public bodies. He has been active researcher in the following Programmes funded by European Union in which the Department of Aerospace Engineering of the University of Naples “Federico II” was Partner: MADAVIC: employment of magnetostrictive materials for the design of innovative actuators; ADTurB II: structural problems concerning the turbomachinery; CAPECON: employment of UAV for civil purposes; SEFA: airport noise and exposure of communities to aircraft noise; HISAC: design of small supersonic business jet; COSMA: aircraft noise and mitigation of the exposure of communities to sound pressure levels due to airport operations. From 2001 to 2010, he has been Associate and Founder in two Engineering Companies working in the noise and vibration fields. From December 2008 to August 2024 he has been working at the University of Salento. During this length of time, he has been Visiting Scholar at the University of Bath (UK, 2014-2015 and 2017) and at the University College of Dublin (Ireland, 2018-2021). He is currently active in the following research fields: machine learning for Structural Health Monitoring; damage detection, composite materials for aerospace applications; morphing structures; structural dynamics; acoustics (interior and external) and vibration; adhesion and adhesives; fracture toughness of composites.