Q: What “day to day” type activities that you do?
It depends usually on the task itself that I have during a specific time. For me, it is more often between lab work, numerical modelling, and preparation for future experiments.
Q: What pathway did you take to get into the research?
I began with my B.Sc. degree when I was leading the design and manufacture of RC model aircraft, and then, participating with the model in SAE Aero-design west in California, USA. Afterwards, I started my M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, where I became more involved in research fields relevant to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), combustion theory, and fire dynamics.
Q: What’s something you’re proud of from your Masters?
The outcome from my M.Sc. thesis which was a part of collaboration between Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Edinburgh. The results were very useful for future plans in mitigating the risk of fire spread within Informal Settlements in low socio-demographic index (SDI) countries.
Q: Do you have any advice for future PhD students?
It is crucial to spend the first few months of PhD on establishing a strong base and structure of the PhD thesis. Further, time is a very important factor during PhD, thus, having a well-defined timeline will help in achieving the tasks on the exact time.
Q: How will your work impact real world management decisions?
My PhD project is focusing on firebrand ignition of building materials. So I am certain that the results will have a great impact on the type of building materials being used in properties on the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) and on the allowable distance between buildings and the nearest location of potential wildfire.
