"Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play"

Immanuel Kant

Education

• 2009 - present: Ph.D. student, Department of Mechanical Engineeing, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
  
  Concentration: Medical Robotics
  
  
• 2008 - 2009: MS in Mechanical Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
  
  GPA: 4.0660/4
  Concentration: Robotics (list of courses)
  
  
• 2007 - present: "Laurea Specialistica" in Systems Engineering, Department of Computer and System Sciences, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
  
  GPA: 28.3/30
  Concentration: Control Systems and Robotics
  
  
• 2003 - 2007: "Laurea di Primo Livello" in Automatic Control Systems, Department of Computer and System Sciences, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
  
  GPA: 25.6/30
  Concentration: Control Systems and Computer Science

Research Interests

• Robotics in medical applications
• Continuum robots
• Robot dynamics and control
• Redundancy resolution

Current Projects

• Wrench estimation of snake-like devices
• Realtime control of robot manipulators
• Renovation of a PUMA 560 robot manipulator

Teaching Assistantships at Columbia University

• Fall 2008 - MECE E3409 Computer Aided Design
  
  Concepts and applications of modern computer-aided design software for formulating and solving mechanical engineering design problems. Problems will be drawn from statics, kinematics, solid modeling, stress analysis, thermal analysis, fluid mechanics, and design optimization. Execution of a project involving the design of an actual engineering device or system.
  
  
• Spring 2009 - MECE E4430 Automotive Dynamics
  
  Automobile dynamic behavior is divided into three subjects: vehicle subsystems, ride, and handling. Vehicle subsystems include: tire, steering, mechanisms, suspensions, gearbox, engine, clutch, etc. Regarding ride, vibrations and ride comfort are analyzed, and suspension optimization of a quarter car model is treated. Regarding handling, vehicle dynamic behavior on the road is analyzed, with emphasis on numerical simulations using planar as well as roll models.
  

Fellowships

• 2008 Samuel Rubinstein Graduate Scholar
• 2008 - 2009 Honor Center of Italian Universities: MS (full tuitions and fees $40,000) at Columbia Univeristy, New York, USA

Personal Interests

• Submarines, motorboats
• Soccer, snowboarding, rollerblading
• Linux and operating systems