PhD students - cycle 40

My research focuses on the development of radiation-hard Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) for space-based applications. SiPMs are highly sensitive photodetectors widely used in scientific instrumentation, but their performance can degrade significantly in harsh radiation environments such as space. My primary objective is to understand and mitigate radiation-induced damage in order to improve device reliability and lifetime.
Currently, I am investigating radiation damage caused by ionizing energy loss (IEL) and non-ionizing energy loss (NIEL). These studies aim to quantify changes in key device parameters, including dark count rate and breakdown voltage, after exposure to different radiation sources. By distinguishing between ionization-induced and displacement damage effects, I seek to identify the dominant degradation pathways.
In parallel, I am evaluating two annealing strategies to recover device performance: controlled temperature annealing and in-situ current annealing. The goal is to assess their effectiveness in reducing radiation-induced defects and restoring operational stability.
Over the next year, I plan to extend this work to investigate radiation effects on SiPM packaging materials, with the aim of developing more robust detector systems suitable for long-duration space missions.

My research focuses on the development of microwave passive components for space applications, particularly feed-horn antennas and waveguide orthomode transducers (OMTs) enabling polarization measurements. These devices are widely used in Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments, where large detector arrays and very high polarization purity are required. They are also widely employed for other astrophysical observations and satellite telecommunications.
The realization of such components at frequencies up to 500 GHz requires advanced manufacturing techniques. Our research group in Milan has extensive experience in CMB instrumentation exploiting the platelet technique, where the device is formed by stacking and aligning thin, individually machined layers of material.
Before and during my PhD, we have been exploring laser micromachining to fabricate each plate, testing materials such as aluminum and silicon. We are also investigating alternatives to mechanical clamping, including diffusion bonding. We developed a 77-element feed-horn array coupled with OMTs in laser-micromachined aluminum, currently awaiting Radio-Frequency characterization. In parallel, we produced silicon sample wafers coated with aluminum and realized a copper prototype to assess diffusion bonding.

My research focuses on the interaction between the lithosphere and the ionosphere. One such model describing this interaction is the MILC model (Magnetospheric–Ionospheric–Lithospheric Coupling Model. 1: Observations during the 5 August 2018 Bayan Earthquake, by Piersanti et al.).
With data from the CSES-01 satellite flying at 500 km's of altitude, my project, in the scope of the ‘Space It Up!’ consortium, aims at understanding whether it is possible to see the disturbances caused in the lithosphere: this would open important pathways regarding earthquake monitoring from space.
Part of my work also focuses on looking at whether it is possible to understand lightning strikes behaviour: with the light emitted, we want to investigate how feasible is the task of monitoring lightning storms.
In order to tackle all of these activities, I am focusing on anomaly-searching: anomalies, in the context of the data taken by the HEPP-L payload of CSES-01, are those peculiar data points which seem to appear every now and then in the electron rate measured. Investigating these anomalies, whose origin has not yet been explained, might provide important insights into the phenomena listed above.
Finally, thanks to the expertise of external colleagues joining the astro-particle physics group here in Trento, I was able to start looking at whether these anomalies might be related to solar phenomena: a comparison between anomalies and the DST index seems to be supporting this thesis.

Our research focuses on the endometrial microenvironment to deepen the understanding of crosstalk mechanisms between various cell types within the uterine epithelial stratum. We primarily examine mesenchymal endometrial cells and mature dendritic cells differentiated from circulating monocytes. Characterizing the metabolism and protein synthesis in these cells is the linchpin for clarifying the pharmacological activities of steroid drugs, such as oral contraceptives.
The biological effects of contraceptives and local devices (e.g., IUDs) are the principal methods for inducing amenorrhea in female astronauts during space missions, where primary physicochemical effects are driven by microgravity and the absence of a geomagnetic field.
The experimental setup utilizes transwell co-cultures of mesenchymal and dendritic cells to analyze the secretome, metabolome, and proteome. Single-cell cultures are processed using a Random Positioning Machine (RPM) and a custom-built system with Helmholtz coils to simulate lunar and Martian conditions. These cultures undergo various in vitro treatments with contraceptive drugs (e.g., dienogest, ethinylestradiol, mifepristone) during simulated luteal and follicular phases.
Analytical methods include high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) via ZenoTOF 7600 coupled with UPLC Nexera 3, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Chemometric analysis of the resulting data is fundamental to modeling the mechanisms of action of steroid drugs and optimizing contraceptive therapies for women on space missions.

This research project focuses on developing a numerical "Digital Twin" of an electromagnetic Anechoic Chamber (AC) to optimize testing configurations and predict radiation measurements for space-bound antennas. Anechoic chambers provide isolated electromagnetic environments that are essential for the radiofrequency testing of satellite and spacecraft devices without external signal interference. The primary strategy of the project is structured across three key phases: modeling the chamber, optimizing the numerical representation to reduce computational overhead, and validating the simulated results against physical measurements. To achieve a highly efficient simulation model, the complex physical geometries of the chamber—specifically the pyramidal microwave absorbers—are replaced with simplified, equivalent material properties through a homogenization process. Currently, the project has successfully implemented a stratified, multi-layer model using a modified Debye permittivity representation that closely approximates the reflectivity of physical absorbers. Ultimately, this ongoing research aims to deliver a fully validated, computationally lean simulation tool that can accurately predict electric field strengths throughout the chamber, streamlining the pre-launch testing pipeline for space hardware.

My doctoral research in the National PhD in Space Science and Technology focuses on civil liability for damage arising from space activities and on the insurance mechanisms used to allocate and mitigate those risks in the New Space economy. Building on my peer-reviewed scholarship published in ANVUR Class A journals, I examine how fault, causation, and standards of due diligence are assessed when damage is caused by increasingly complex space operations (e.g., small satellites, constellations, and mixed public–private missions). A core objective is to map the interaction between international responsibility/liability principles and domestic private-law remedies, with particular attention to mandatory insurance coverage, financial guarantees, and compensation funds. Methodologically, the project adopts a comparative approach, with a specific Italy–France focus to identify convergences, regulatory gaps, and best practices capable of strengthening legal certainty and market sustainability. In June 2026, I will further develop this line of inquiry during a research stay at the Collège de France (Paris), concentrating on civil liability and insurance regimes under French and Italian space law.

My research focuses on the study of high-energy emission mechanisms in transient astrophysical phenomena. I primarily work on Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) and, more recently, Solar Flares (SFLs), using data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) and the Large Area Telescope (LAT). My goal is to identify common spectral and temporal features to better understand the physical processes powering these events.
I am currently developing a comprehensive spectral catalog of GRBs jointly observed by GBM and LAT, performing both time-integrated and time-resolved analyses. During my research stay abroad, I am also working on the implementation of physically motivated emission models to interpret some of these observational results.
In parallel, I contribute to the analysis of particularly relevant individual events, such as GRB 250725A, which currently holds the redshift record at GeV energies. 
I am also involved in theoretical studies aimed at understanding the origin of high-energy photons in GRBs and the reasons behind their frequent non-detection by the LAT.
Additionally, I participate in science simulations and source studies for the Antarctic Demonstrator for the Advanced Particle-astrophysics Telescope (ADAPT), helping to assess the types of sources the instrument will be able to observe.

Muhammad Fasih Ishfaq received his master’s degree in Space Science from the Department of Space Science, University of the Punjab Lahore Pakistan. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree as a member of Remote Sensing Laboratory at the Department of Information and Communication Technologies, University of Trento. His research interests involve artificial intelligence and machine learning for the analysis of multisensory and multitemporal Earth observation data. His work focuses on extracting meaningful changes and patterns over time by leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques from optical and Synthetic Aperture radar (SAR) datasets, enabling accurate monitoring of environmental dynamics such as floods, vegetation and land cover changes. He utilised deep learning, convolutional neural networks and recurrent architectures to exploit spatial, spectral and temporal dependencies, overcoming traditional limitations related to cloud cover, sensor noise and missing data.  With the help of multi-source, multi-sensor and multi-scale dataset fusion, he workes on developement of robust models for large-scale, automated Earth observation analysis, bridging the gap between raw satellite data and actionable insights.

My PhD research focuses on component separation techniques for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarisation, aiming to detect primordial B-mode signals. A confirmed detection of primordial B-modes would provide direct evidence for cosmic inflation in the early Universe. I work primarily with minimum-variance component separation methods to validate and test data analysis pipelines for next-generation CMB experiments, with particular emphasis on mitigating foreground contamination and instrumental systematics.
I am also a member of the Simons Observatory collaboration, a ground-based CMB experiment dedicated to high-sensitivity measurements of CMB polarisation, with the goal of detecting primordial B-mode signals and placing stringent constraints on tensor-to-scalar ratio "r".

The goal of this research study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of manufacturing technologies used for the development of millimetre- and sub-millimetre-wave Space components. This analysis aims at identifying the best options with respect to electromagnetic performance and geometric precision in the Space environment.
The first research activities were oriented toward two specific frequency ranges: 170–260 GHz (WR4.3) and 500–750 GHz (WR1.5). Specifically, a variety of devices were measured and compared with simulated results to assess discrepancies between them. Using this process, a variety of phenomena related to manufacturing quality, misalignment, and gap between components can be described to assess their impact on device performance.
Thereafter, the research turned towards strategies to mitigate the previously described phenomena. To address the gap between components, bed-of-nails structures are designed to prevent field leakage, which degrades electromagnetic performance. Since small features are required at high frequencies, such as in the WR1.5 band, the optimization process is carefully conducted to achieve optimal performance while accounting for the reliability of the various manufacturing processes.
Currently, the research focuses on mitigation strategies for surface roughness phenomena that increase electromagnetic losses and on the analysis of antennas at lower frequencies (around 20 GHz) for telecommunications and Space Science applications.

This dissertation examines Italy's presence in Space as a foreign policy area from the 1970s onwards. The research reconstructs the development of international cooperation for Italy along five directions. The first is related to Earth Observation, from the launch of Meteosat (1977) to the development of GMES-Copernicus, where the progressive institutionalization of European cooperation is highlighted. The second is related to Space Observation, focused on Italy's contribution to the development of the Hubble Space Telescope, within ESA/NASA cooperation. The third is on Human Space Exploration, from the development of the MPLM modules to the MPH, where the role of the country's industry is analyzed. The fourth axis is around Space Robotic Exploration by taking account particularly of Cassini-Huygens mission. Last but not the least, the fifth is Galileo as a turning point for the definition of European strategic autonomy.
The research is based on national, Europe and and US archival research with special oral history interviews

My research focuses on the development and characterization of Low Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs) and other silicon-based sensing technologies like Silicon PhotoMultipliers (SiPMs) for next-generation space missions. As space instruments demand increasingly higher precision in both timing and spatial resolution, LGADs offer a particularly promising technology for 4D tracking in harsh radiation environments.
The primary goal of my doctoral research is to characterize silicon detector architectures to meet the stringent requirements of space applications, including thermal stability, power constraints, and radiation hardness. To achieve these goals, my work involves:
* Radiation Hardness: Investigating the impact of non-ionizing energy loss (NIEL) on detector performance.
* Thermal Stability: Performing comprehensive thermal cycle tests to assess the robustness and performance consistency of the detectors under extreme temperature conditions.
* System Integration: Modeling the front-end electronics and readout chains necessary to take advantage of the fast-timing capabilities of LGADs for particle telescopes.
Currently, my work focuses on the development of a laboratory setup to test different LGAD architectures, characterizing their timing resolution and gain stability. After completion of the laboratory characterization, these architectures will undergo further tests under simulated space conditions, including a climate chamber and dedicated testbeam campaigns.

The Mediterranean is a climatologically sensitive region due to its transitional position between the arid subtropics and the wetter mid-latitudes. In recent years, Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones, or Medicanes, have gained increasing attention. These rare baroclinic cyclones that evolve in their mature stage into vortices with structural characteristics similar to tropical cyclones. Although they occur only a few times per decade, Medicanes can produce severe socio-economic impacts through intense precipitation, strong winds, and coastal flooding.Observational and modeling studies indicate that rising sea surface temperatures may affect Medicane evolution, potentially leading to stronger storms. Understanding their dynamics is
therefore important not only for climatology but also for operational sectors such as aviation, which are directly exposed to atmospheric hazards. While the surface impacts of Medicanes have been widely studied, their influence on upper-tropospheric conditions, particularly turbulence relevant to aviation, remains poorly documented. In-flight encounters with turbulent eddies represent a major aviation hazard, often resulting in injuries, aircraft damage, and economic losses to airlines. My research focuses on understanding the physical mechanisms through which Medicanes influence aviation-scale turbulence, both at cruising altitudes and during the critical phases of take-off and landing. To address this problem, I employ a range of methodologies, including ERA5-based empirical diagnostics.
A second branch of my research applies statistical methods to investigate the relationship between extreme temperatures and airport disruptions across Europe, including flight delays, cancellations, and diversions. This work aims to improve our understanding of how climate extremes affect aviation operations and to support the development of more resilient air transport systems under a changing climate.

My research focuses on the application of data-driven methods to Planetary Defense, in particular on whether Machine Learning (ML) techniques can be used to make the process of Impact Monitoring of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) more efficient and scalable, while preserving the robustness of the classical analytical and numerical methods currently in use. I have already applied Neural Networks to the prediction of the Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance of NEOs, achieving a mean absolute error of about 0.001 AU and a precision of 97% on the test set. 
My future research aims to extend the use of ML to more operational needs, such as those of the Minor Planet Center, where I will spend my 6-month abroad period.

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will be the first space-based gravitational wave observatory, measuring low-frequency gravitational waves from sources like supermassive black hole and other astrophysical sources. The gravitational wave detection is performed by measuring the distance between 3 pairs of 1.92 kg gold-platinum test masses (TMs). The TMs are part of the Gravitational Reference System (GRS). The GRS function is to maintain the TMs in nearly perfect geodesic motion, isolated from all non-gravitational forces. A central engineering challenge for LISA is achieving the required free‑fall purity of the TMs, which must maintain an acceleration noise level on the order of fm/s²/√Hz in the millihertz band. For comparison, state‑of‑the‑art geodesy missions currently operate at acceleration noise levels around 100 pm/s²/√Hz, several orders of magnitude higher.
During the precursor LISA Pathfinder (LPF) mission, the GPRM (Grabbing Positioning and Release Mechanism) failed to release the TMs nominally into free-fall. Both TMs exhibited residual velocities significantly exceeding the requirements of 5 µm/s linear and 100 µrad/s angular. Post-flight investigations campaigns revealed that these anomalies were caused by unexpected TM-GPRM collisions during of release, likely due to oscillations, asymmetries and insufficient clearance. While LPF could mitigate those anomalies using manual strategies, LISA’s 350–400s communication lag makes human intervention impossible.
To mitigate the anomalies found in LPF, a delta development campaign was initiated. The GPRM was upgraded with higher clearances and a more symmetric layout.
My research focuses on the design and development of the Engineering Model (EM) test facility at OHB Italia. This facility is specifically engineered to verify the GPRM’s functionality with the new upgraded tribological and kinematic performance under 1-g boundary conditions.
Validating the release dynamics of a mechanism designed for zero-gravity operation on Earth presents a significant challenge. The core of the OHB-I facility is the Gravity Off-Loading System (GOLS), a custom-designed gravity compensation architecture meant to simulate the 6-Degrees-of-Freedom dynamics of the TM during the critical release phase.
The GOLS design was optimized to minimize parasitic stiffnesses and gravitational restoring forces that could mask the mechanism's release behavior. A 1.5 m suspension wire, the maximum vertical envelope available, supports a Dummy Test Mass (DTM) with representative mass, inertia, and surface properties. To prevent spurious torques, the DTM Center of Gravity is aligned to the suspension axis within a strict 100 µm tolerance.
While the pendulum architecture provides five degrees of freedom (DoF), vertical translation is unconstrained via a custom zero-stiffness Compliant Mechanism (CM). This mechanism utilizes antagonistic stiffness: a positive-stiffness spring bears the static load, while a negative-stiffness element, achieved by exploiting the non-linear post-buckling behavior of slender beams, compensates for the restoring force.
This configuration yields a 12 mm quasi-zero stiffness stroke. Unlike traditional linear guides, the flexure-based CM is frictionless, ensuring that the small contact forces characterizing the release sequence are not masked by tribological noise.

Future human missions to Mars will expose astronauts to prolonged reduced gravity (0.38g), potentially impairing intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. That is maintained by tight junctions (TJs), composed of proteins such as claudins, ZO-1, occludin, JAMs and cingulin. However, the role of specific claudin isoforms in dysfunction under Martian gravity remains unclear. Caco-2 cells were cultured under simulated 0.38g using a Random Positioning Machine. Exposure to 0.38g reduced closed TJs, and increased open TJs compared to 1g control, with a significant decrease in TEER. Real-time PCR showed selective downregulation of CLDN1, CLDN3, and ZO-1, confirmed at the protein level by immunofluorescence and western blot, while CLDN2, CLDN4, CLDN5, CLDN7, CLDN12, and CLDN23 were unchanged. Calcium switch assays revealed delayed TJ assembly, with impaired junctional recruitment of CLDN3, CLDN1, and ZO-1 versus control. TEM showed increased cytoplasmic and nuclear lipid droplets in microgravity-exposed cells, confirmed by Nile Red staining. These alterations were associated with elevated ROS production and STAT3 activation. Preliminary result indicates that antioxidant treatment with sumac extracts partially restored TJ organization and barrier integrity. These findings suggest that microgravity-induced TJ disruption may promote systemic inflammation and impaired nutrient absorption, while antioxidant strategies may serve as potential countermeasures.

My research activity focuses on the detection of exoplanets orbiting young stars (i.e., age < 1 Gyr). This aim is particular important as it will allow to shed light on the processes that occur in young exoplanetary systems, such as planet migration and atmospheric evaporation. Up to date, there is a small number of known planets orbiting young stars, as they are very difficult to detect. This is due to three main problems: they are found in very crowded environments, such as young associations and open clusters; young stars are characterized by intense stellar activity, which hinders planet detection; young stars typically have short rotation periods.
I created a catalogue of almost 400 000 young stars by searching the literature. Then, I improved a code developed for the extraction of light curves in crowded environments starting from TESS (a NASA satellite whose main aim is the photometric detection of exoplanets) data. Successively I developed a pipeline for exoplanet detection starting from TESS light curves. I am currently working on the development of a vetting pipeline for the promising signals I found, in order to produce a reliable list of candidate exoplanets orbiting young stars ready for follow-up observations. The final goal of the project is to perform an unbiased frequency analysis  of the homogeneous sample of detected exoplanets in terms of their typology and of their physical and orbital properties, allowing to test models of planet formation and evolution.

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is a satellite-based detector designed for precise studies of Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) up to energies of several hundred TeV. The satellite was successfully launched in December 2015 and has been continuously collecting data since then. DAMPE is characterized by very good energy resolution, large collected dataset of cosmic rays, and strong particle identification capabilities, owing to its large geometric factor, thick highly granular calorimeter, precise tracker and efficient charge detector.
Within this context, my PhD project is motivated by my interest in cosmic-ray properties. My activity is now focusing on the study of medium-to-high mass nuclei, specifically those ranging from S to Ca (i.e., with charge Z=16–20). This research aims to extend individual nuclear spectral measurements to energy ranges that surpass the limits of previous experimental studies. Constraining this component would improve the predictive power of existing theoretical models and provide deeper insight into cosmic-ray sources. The analysis foresees optimized selection criteria tailored to identify these nuclei, combined with dedicated Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate efficiencies, acceptances, and associated systematic uncertainties. Precise spectral measurements in this charge range can provide valuable information on the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy.

The phenomenon of energy cascade in Alfvénic solar wind turbulence has traditionally been studied assuming ideal plasmas, where viscosity (ν) and resistivity (η) are equal and very small. Recent observations suggest that in the solar wind, viscous-like effects related to velocity act on much larger scales compared to magnetic dissipation. The main novelty of this study lies in assuming phenomenological distinctions among dissipation mechanisms and hence assuming different values for ν and η. In this work, we investigate the third-order Yaglom law for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence through a combination of theoretical analysis and simulations. We study the energy budget law for visco-resistive MHD and explore how differing viscosities and resistivities affect the energy cascade. The Yaglom relation, rewritten in terms of Elsässer variables, deviates from the ideal case due to the assumption ν ≠ η. This relation, which involves a third-order moment calculated from velocity and magnetic fields, provides a direct measure of the energy transfer rate across scales. Our results, supported by direct numerical simulations, indicate that these findings could enhance the interpretation of solar wind and magnetosheath observations. The third-order moment is indeed particularly relevant as it enables a detailed comparison of energy transfer mechanisms, highlighting the differences that arise when the dissipation processes in the velocity and the magnetic field are different.

I am working on "Early Warning System for the Early Detection of Yellowing Symptoms in Vineyards" particularly focuses on Flavescence Dorée (FD), Bois Noir, and Esca that cause visually similar leaf yellowing that is hard to tell apart without field inspection, yet early detection is critical because FD and Bois Noir spread via host-specific leafhoppers whose first symptoms emerge in a narrow July window. This research developed an early warning system that detects suspected cases at their earliest symptomatic stage and guides growers straight to them, cutting exhaustive row-by-row scouting. High-resolution aerial RGB imagery was acquired by an autogyro (two 61-MP Sony A7R IV cameras) over 95 vineyard clusters (878 ha) and processed into orthomosaics. Custom vegetation indices (GRVI, GBVI, BRVI), DBSCAN denoising, SegFormer row detection, and an EfficientNetB7 classifier flag symptomatic vines at the individual-plant level.A Geospatial Web-based Decision Support System (GWDSS) maps cases, ranks each vineyard into six risk levels, and offers on-site navigation. The 2025 surveys results are validated with the field surveys using  confusion matrix and try to calibrate the model.Future work will fully automate the pipeline, sharpen FD-vs-Bois Noir differentiation, detect season carry-over, add automated alerts, and deploy via mobile apps.

Artem is PhD student in planetary science whose research focuses on investigation of the Mercury internal structure. In his work, he develops a fluid dynamics model of Mercury solid mantle convection. His main objective is to improve understanding of the mantle structure and estimate its actual composition.  
He developed a two-dimensional Cartesian geometry geodynamic model to simulate the Mercury’s mantle convection. He later extended this work to a three-dimensional Cartesian geometry numerical model to better represent the spatial distribution of internal processes. To improve computational efficiency, Artem is developing a GPU-based implementation of a fluid dynamic model to achieve maximum model performance.
When coupled with detailed mineralogy, results of the mantle convection model could provide insights on the present-day mantle and crust chemical, mineralogical, and thermodynamical state, which can be beneficial for the BepiColombo first results analysis.

Optical fiber sensors are increasingly attractive for space applications due to their lightweight nature, suitability for seamless structural embedding, and resilience to harsh environments. Phase-sensitive Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (ϕ-OFDR) enables high-spatial-resolution distributed measurements of vibration, temperature, and strain through coherent Rayleigh backscattering analysis.
In ϕ-OFDR, the frequency of a coherent laser source is linearly swept over a defined bandwidth, and Fourier-domain processing is applied to retrieve spatially resolved amplitude and phase information along the fiber. The achievable spatial resolution is determined by the optical sweep bandwidth, while measurement accuracy is influenced by sweep linearity, phase stability, and laser coherence properties. Among distributed fiber strain sensing technologies, OFDR-based systems provide millimeter-scale spatial resolution, making them suitable for detailed structural health monitoring.
The ongoing work focuses on the development and optimization of an OFDR-based distributed strain sensing platform employing a high-scattering single-mode fiber for interferometric phase demodulation and distributed strain reconstruction. Particular emphasis is placed on sweep linearization and phase stability enhancement to improve measurement fidelity and system robustness for structural health monitoring in space-oriented environments.

My PhD research, conducted at the University of Trento in collaboration with QAscom, focuses on developing robust and real-time navigation systems through the integration of satellite signals and image processing. The main objective is to design a hybrid localization framework capable of ensuring positioning continuity when Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are degraded or temporarily unavailable.
The work investigates the fusion of GNSS radio-frequency measurements with monocular vision-based localization and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) data. Visual Odometry (VO), including deep learning approaches based on transformer architectures, is explored to estimate motion and pose from image sequences.
To overcome GNSS limitations (e.g., multipath and signal blockage) and monocular VO challenges (e.g., scale ambiguity and drift), a multi-sensor fusion strategy is developed. IMU data provide high-frequency motion information to improve short-term prediction, scale estimation, and robustness.
The expected outcome is a low-cost, real-time navigation methodology capable of delivering accurate and reliable localization in indoor and outdoor environments for autonomous and space applications.

My research focuses on the use of microalgae as a multifunctional biological system for long-duration space exploration, particularly within the framework of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). The project investigates the cultivation of edible microalgae such as Spirulina and Chlorella using unconventional nutrient sources, including simulated Martian and lunar regolith leachates and astronauts' metabolic waste, to evaluate their potential for sustainable food production, oxygen generation, and CO₂ recycling beyond Earth. A key component of the study examines how simulated microgravity affects microalgal growth, metabolism, and productivity using clinostat platforms. Additionally, the work explores interactions between microalgae and regolith-derived compounds to assess toxicity, nutrient availability, and system stability. The overall objective is to develop resilient bioregenerative life-support strategies that reduce payload dependency and enable closed-loop resource cycles for future Moon and Mars missions.

The PhD project investigates the legal regimes governing the protection and sharing of data generated through Earth Observation (EO) activities. It aims to analyze how intellectual property law, data governance frameworks, and contractual practices shape competitive dynamics and industrial strategies within the EO sector. Adopting a multilevel approach (international, European, national, and contractual), the research examines the interaction between space law principles, EU space regulation, and the broader EU data economy framework, with particular attention to ownership models, data access policies, and the balance between exclusive appropriation and non-discriminatory access. A specific focus is devoted to the Italian constellation IRIDE as a regulatory and industrial testbed.
Current progress includes an extensive literature review on the evolution of the EO sector and the analysis of contractual practices adopted by major institutional actors such as the European Space Agency and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme, particularly concerning data ownership and sharing obligations. Research on intellectual property protection of EO data has resulted in conference publications at the 76th IAC (2025) and YSCSL (2025), with ongoing work for the 77th IAC on AI-generated EO outputs. At Thales Alenia Space, activities include the collection and systematization of background intellectual property rights (BIPRs) in the DONI domain (ongoing), with planned interviews and sector-specific contractual analysis. Further research addresses EO data-sharing models, comparative insights from other industries, and the evolving IRIDE data policy framework.

My PhD research focuses on the study of plant growth systems for space applications, integrating experimental plant science with fluid dynamics and subsystem analysis in reduced gravity environments.
At the University of Turin (DISAFA), I conduct experimental research in controlled environment agriculture using hydroponic and aeroponic systems to investigate plant responses to environmental drivers, including nutrient solution composition, salinity, light spectrum and root-zone configuration. I evaluate the influence of these factors on yield, nutritional quality and physiological performance, while assessing space-relevant candidate species such as Wolffia arrhiza. These activities contribute to defining biological constraints, response thresholds to environmental drivers, and crop-specific requirements relevant to crop production systems within bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS).
At Thales Alenia Space Italia, I contribute to the analysis of agronomic and functional requirements for plant growth chambers intended for microgravity, supporting the evaluation of trade-offs between environmental control strategies and crop performance. My work includes the study of gravity-dependent subsystems, particularly the root-zone, through CFD modelling (laminar flow and porous media approaches), with prospective validation in simulated reduced-gravity environments, to inform the design of critical subsystems.