About
I am a recent PhD graduate and Research Fellow at Politecnico di Torino with a background in freight transportation systems and a fascination for the physics that govern how these systems behave. During my studies on freight transport and its operational and infrastructural constraints, I became increasingly interested in the physical processes hidden behind energy consumption and emissions, which led me toward fluid dynamics and detailed engine modeling.
My research field is now Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), supported by a broad understanding of transportation systems. My expertise lies in leveraging modeling, simulation, and data‑driven analysis to drive innovation in sustainable mobility and energy efficiency. I work at the interface between transportation engineering and thermofluid sciences, using tools that connect engine‑scale combustion processes with system‑level transport performance.
Main research theme
The main theme of my work is the integration of physics‑based modeling and data‑driven analysis for sustainable transport technologies. At the engine scale, this involves CFD simulations of combustion and turbulence in low‑carbon fuel heavy‑duty engines, modeling injection and mixture formation, and developing models that support the design and control of advanced internal combustion technologies.
At the system scale, I use data from real fleets and operations, such as electric buses, passenger vehicles, or freight services, to quantify how driving patterns, temperature, topography, and infrastructure shape energy consumption and emissions. Connecting these scales allows me to study how changes in combustion strategy, fuel, or control impact not only engine efficiency but also fleet‑level performance and the feasibility of different deployment scenarios.
Expertise in CFD
My work in CFD has focused particularly on modeling low‑carbon fuel heavy‑duty internal combustion engines. I employ CONVERGE CFD for 3D RANS simulations, integrating advanced models to capture complex turbulence–chemistry interactions and to optimize boundary conditions for predictive in‑cylinder simulations. This experience has honed my skills in:
- Advanced CFD modeling for engines and combustion
- Turbulence and combustion model selection and development
- Boundary condition optimization and workflow design
- High‑performance computing and large‑scale simulation campaigns
Bridging CFD with transportation systems
During my PhD, I transitioned from addressing broad transportation challenges to focusing on engine CFD, always with a keen eye on enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in logistics. My projects have spanned the design of next‑generation freight trains with distributed power, electric yard tractors, and analyses of public‑transport and passenger‑vehicle fleets, each driven by the goal of reducing environmental impact.
My education and experience have taught me the importance of a multidisciplinary approach. I firmly believe that diversity of perspectives, including gender diversity, is fundamental in addressing complex challenges in engineering and sustainability.
Future directions: combustion, turbulence, and reduced‑order models
Looking ahead, my research will still focus on combustion and turbulence modeling for advanced engine technologies, with the goal of building models that are both physically sound and usable in design workflows. A key objective is to derive reduced‑order models from high‑fidelity CFD and experimental data, so that essential combustion and heat‑transfer physics can be embedded into engine control units (ECUs) for real‑time optimization and calibration.
In parallel, I am interested in using data‑driven methods and machine learning to accelerate CFD‑based design cycles and to link engine‑scale behavior with system‑level performance, while remaining grounded in the underlying physics to ensure model reliability.
Beyond the lab
When I’m not surrounded by computational models, you will often find me outdoors: from hiking and running to scuba diving, I enjoy exploring nature in all its forms and traveling to discover as much of the world as my eyes can see. I am also an amateur photographer, always in search of urban and natural landscapes that inspire both my creativity and my approach to scientific work.
These activities help me maintain a balanced perspective and often provide unexpected insights for my research. They remind me that the technologies modeled on a screen ultimately serve real people, communities, and environments.
Collaboration and supervision
My work is naturally collaborative and sits at the intersection of engine development, transport operations, and energy systems analysis. I have co‑supervised master’s theses across energy, mechanical, civil, and aeronautical engineering, and contributed to teaching in areas such as electric mobility, on‑board data collection, and data‑driven analysis of vehicle and transport systems.
I am always eager to collaborate on projects that push the boundaries of CFD and its applications in sustainable technologies. If you are interested in discussing potential collaborations, student projects, or simply exchanging ideas on CFD, combustion, and sustainable transport, please feel free to contact me.