Curriculum Vitae
I am a researcher and engineer with a proven track record in leading high-impact, multidisciplinary projects across academia and industry. My background spans hands-on engineering, academic research, and project leadership — combining practical trade experience with advanced expertise in control systems, mechanical design, and statistical optimisation. I hold Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification and have delivered engineering solutions that saved over AUD $1.1 million in maintenance costs at Sydney Trains. In academia, I’ve secured over £20,000 in international research funding and have initiated multiple international collaborations. I’ve directed research teams and guided the development of real-time control platforms for complex robotic systems. I take pride in uniting deep technical know-how with strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
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Skills
Technical:
- Mathematical optimisation
- Statistics – Regression – Hypothesis testing – Design of experiments
- Classical mechanics
- Robot control
- Mechanical design
Soft:
- Project management (Six Sigma & DMAIC)
- Root cause analysis
- Workshopping
Programming Languages:
- C++ (advanced)
- Python (basic)
- MATLAB
Spoken Languages:
- 🇬🇧 English (native)
- 🇮🇹 Italian (beginner)
Work
| Year(s) | Role |
|---|---|
| February 2024 – Present |
Research Fellow STORM Lab UK, University of Leeds • Working on the Terabotics project to integrate high-frequency sensors with robotic systems for cancer detection. • Awarded £2,000 funding to establish international collaboration on robotic hip replacement surgery with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). • Awarded £10,000 establish international collaboration with UTS and the Chinese University of Hong Kong on magnetic tentacle robots for heart intervention. • Won £10,000 in a group contest to develop realistic, artificial limbs for Terabotics research and testing. • Developed a C++ and ROS2 library for real-time control of robot arms. • Initiated an independent research collaboration with 3 colleagues to model the physics of ferromagnetic, soft, continuum robots. |
| July 2021 – December 2023 |
Postdoc Humanoid Sensing & Perception, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia • Worked on the ergoCub humanoid robot project as team leader for the Humanoid Sensing & Perception group. • Developed a C++ package for bimanual control of humanoid robots. • Wrote my own convex optimisation algorithm for linear least squares problems. • Led planning workshops for the development of autonomous, human-robot interaction demonstrations on the ergoCub platform. • Represented our team at the International Conference on Robotics & Automation 2023. |
| May 2019 – June 2021 |
Research Associate, Casual Academic Center for Autonomous Systems, University of Technology Sydney • Researched predictive & optimal control methods for robot arms. • Developed my own MATLAB toolbox for testing & controlling robot arms. • Published research in the top robotic’s journal. • Developed educational content for the Industrial Robotics subject for the Canvas online platform. |
| February 2015 – May 2019 |
Doctoral Candidate, Engineer Center for Autonomous Systems, University of Technology Sydney • Worked on the submerged pile inspection robot project. • Contributed to mechanical designs for early prototypes. • Researched methods of motion prediction & predictive control for robot arms. • Helped develop the curriculum, and taught for the Industrial Robotics subject at UTS. • Developed lecture material, and tutored for the Mechanical & Mechatronic Design subject. |
| December 2011 – December 2014 |
Engineering Scholar, Six Sigma Project Manager Continuous Improvement Group, Maintenance Directorate, Sydney Trains • Member of the Continuous Improvement group in the Maintenance Directorate • Initiated & led a project to save AUD 100,000 in maintenance costs by improving the efficiency of routine train inspections. • Initiated & led a project to save AUD 1,000,000 in maintenance costs for collector strips on intercity train pantrographs. • Spent a 3 month sabbatical as a train technician for the Oscar train fleet to better understand maintenance processes & engage with stakeholders. |
| April 2007 – March 2011 |
Maintenance Fitter Precision Valve Australia • Fixed breakdowns and conducted routine maintenance for the assembly of buttons and valves for aerosol cans. • Worked with supervisors to address customer complaints, write reports, and improve quality control of production. • Took the initiative to improve performance of machinery and achieve a record of 140% productivity with 300,000 parts produced in 1 shift. |
| 2006 | Barista, Server Jester’s Pies, Panania, NSW • Prepared & served coffee, hot food • Set up & closed shop during opening & closing shifts • Stock-keeping, cleaning, etc. |
Volunteer Work:
| Year | Role(s) |
|---|---|
| July 2018 – Present |
Guest Lecturer, Teaching Assistant Technical University of Munich (TUM), via edX.org As part of the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification course. It is ranked in the top 10 online courses of all time by Class Central. |
Education
| Year(s) | Qualification |
|---|---|
| 2015 – 2020 | Doctor of Philosophy University of Technology Sydney Mobile robots, such as underwater vehicles, drones, and rovers, are now being combined with manipulators to perform a variety of work in the field. But current state of the art in control assumes that disturbances from the environment are minimal. However, the effects of wind, waves, and rough terrain may make it difficult for the vehicle to maintain a steady base for the manipulator. Or, in some cases, the vehicle may lack the control authority to negate disturbances in all directions. In this thesis, predictions of the base motion are used to formulate control strategies that enable a manipulator to proactively counter, and even make use of, these disturbances. |
| 2010 – 2015 | B.E. Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering (1st Class Honors) University of Technology Sydney Electives: • Control of Mechatronic Systems • Advanced Robotics • Optimisation • Biomedical Instrumentation |
| 2007 – 2009 | Certificate IV in Mechanical Trades (MEM40105) South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE Competencies included: • Machine installation • Advanced fitting techniques • Complex milling • Complex turning • 2D CAD Modeling |
| 2000 – 2005 | High School Certificate St Mary’s Cathedral College, Sydney Electives: • Visual Arts • Extension 1 Math • Extension 1 English • Information Technology |
Other Qualifications
| Year | Qualification |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt UTS Business School |
| 2014 | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Sydney Trains |
| 2011 | National OHS Construction Induction Training Safework NSW |
| 2011 | Rail Industry Safety Induction RailCorp |
| 2011 | Work Safely in the Construction Industry Advance OHS |
| 2009 | Certificate III in Competitive Manufacturing (MCM 30104) Skillup Australia |
Publications
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