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Research

I am the Lab Head of NSLAB — Networks and Services Laboratory (www.networksandserviceslab.it) at DISIM. My research addresses next-generation network architectures, spanning optical transport and 6G radio access, with a focus on AI-driven orchestration, reliability and security. I combine modelling and optimisation with experimental validation on the NSLAB testbeds. I am affiliated with CNIT and involved in several European and national projects (SEASON, GASTON, B-HIVE, ECSTATIC, RESTART, EDIHAMO, WADAS).

Main topics

• Optical networks: SDM and multi-core fibres, ROADMs, QoT-aware provisioning, quantum key distribution (QKD) and field trials
• 5G/6G and RAN: O-RAN, cell-free massive MIMO, functional splits, radio access orchestration
• Network softwarisation: SDN, NFV, edge-cloud continuum, confidential computing
• AI for networks: autonomous management, digital twins, network simulation and emulation
• Network security: intrusion detection (eBPF, automotive networks), jamming detection in O-RAN
• Green networking and energy efficiency of network infrastructures
• IIoT and Industry 5.0: industrial protocols (OPC UA, PROFINET, TSN), edge-cloud data pipelines

Teaching

Design of Access, Metro and Core Networks — M.Sc. programme

Thesis opportunities

B.Sc. and M.Sc. thesis projects are available on all the topics listed above. Projects usually include an experimental component and are carried out at NSLAB, the laboratory I lead, with access to optical and radio testbeds, GPU clusters, SDN/O-RAN platforms and measurement equipment. Several topics are part of ongoing European projects or industrial collaborations, with internship opportunities.

Examples of currently available topics:

• Machine learning for autonomous management of optical and radio networks
• Design and validation of network simulators and emulators
• eBPF- and learning-based intrusion detection
• Service orchestration across the edge-cloud continuum
• Integration of QKD into metropolitan optical networks
• Data and AI pipelines for industrial and IoT applications

If you are interested, please email me with your study programme, background and research interests, and we will arrange a meeting to define a topic that fits you.

International students and visiting researchers

I welcome Erasmus and international thesis students, as well as visiting researchers and PhD students. NSLAB regularly hosts international visitors and collaborates with universities and research centres across Europe and Asia. For visiting periods, MAECI scholarships or co-tutelle agreements, please write to me attaching your CV and a short statement of research interests.