Education
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University,
Pittsburgh, PA, 12/2002.
Dissertation title: Integrated Modeling and Robust Control for
Full-Envelope Flight of Robotic Helicopters.
Academic advisors
William Messner and
Takeo Kanade.
- Master's Degree, Mechanical Engineering. University of Rome ''La Sapienza'', 4/1997.
Final Grade: 110/110. Thesis title: Optimization of an Engine Mounting System.
Professional Experience (Engineering)
- January, 2017-Present: Associate Technical Fellow, Boeing.
- March, 2008-Present: GN&C Scientist, Boeing Research and Technology Europe, Madrid.
- June, 2006-December, 2007: Member of the Project Committee of the
AWARE Project.
- September, 2003-December, 2007: Responsible for Technology Innovation,
Flying-Cam.
Responsible for flight simulation and design, implementation, and testing of the guidance,
control, and navigation system for the Flying-Cam Special Aerial
Response Autonomous Helicopter (SARAH).
- August, 2000-May, 2003: Research Assistant in the
Autonomous Helicopter Lab
at the Robotics
Institute. Responsible for flight simulation and controls, guidance, and flight testing in the Autonomous Helicopter Project at CMU. Developed an
integrated modeling technique for UAVs called MOdelling for flight
Simulation and Control Analysis (MOSCA). Used MOSCA and robust control
techniques for the synthesis, implementation, and flight test of a unique
wide-envelope controller for the CMU-Yamaha R-50 robotic helicopter. MOSCA
is currently used at NASA Ames for their Autonomous Helicopter Project.
Supervised undergraduate student in the development of a GUI for MOSCA.
Tailored own Ph.D. proposal for a successful National Science Foundation
(NSF) grant proposal.
- July, 2000-August, 2000: Ames Associate at
NASA Ames Research Center
in the Flight Control Group of
Army/NASA Rotorcraft Division. Responsible for the development of
simulation models for unmanned rotorcrafts in the Flight Control Group of NASA/Army Rotorcraft Division.
- January, 1999-August, 1999: Research Assistant in the
Robotic Sensor Based Planning
Lab, Carnegie Mellon University, with
Howie Choset
Worked on developing sensor-based path-planning algorithms for mobile and
aerial robots.
- April, 1997-October, 1998: Research Assistant in the
Department of Mechanics and
Aeronautics, University of Rome ''La Sapienza''.
Developed algorithms for engine mounting system optimization.
- December, 1997-September, 1998: Second
Lieutenant at the MA.C.R.A.
(Motor Vehicles Spare Parts Central Warehouse) in Piacenza, with
the office of Commander of Transport Platoon composed of
military and civilian personnel.
- July, 1997-December, 1997: 168th Cadet Officer Course
in the Italian Army at the SCUTEM (Transport and Materials Military
School) in Rome. Promoted to 1st class cadet. Obtained
Military Driving Instructor License.
Professional Experience (Photography)
Teaching Experience
- January, 2000-May, 2000: Teaching Assistant in
Fluid Mechanics, Carnegie Mellon University. Assisted professor in the undergraduate course Engineering Vibrations. Sole
responsibility for laboratory and grading.
- August, 1999-December, 1999: Teaching Assistant in
Engineering Vibrations, Carnegie Mellon University. Assisted professor in the undergraduate course Fluid Mechanics. Sole
responsibility for recitations in class and grading both homework and exams.
Awards
- 2002/2003 AIAA Guidance,
Navigation, and Control Graduate Award.
Skills
- Languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French.
- Programming languages: Fortran, C, C++.
- Matlab toolboxes: Simulink, Control, Signal, Optimization,
Robust, RTW, xPC Target, Aerospace Blockset.
Other Interests
- Sport: Running, cycling, free climbing, enduro and motocross (competitive level 1993-97), basketball (competitive level 1987-90).
- Music: Classical and electric guitar;
performed in live contests.
- Reading
- Travels