I’m a mechanic by trade, a professional Engineer, and I hold a PhD in robotics.

My experience spans the full spectrum of engineering: from hands-on work fixing and assembling machines, to collaborating on high-value industry projects, to solving sophisticated research problems in mathematical optimisation, classical mechanics, and robot control theory.

As a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, I bring structured, systems-level thinking to complex challenges. I’ve scoped and led industry projects delivering solutions worth over AUD 1,000,000, applying rigorous problem-solving methods and advanced statistical analysis to identify and eliminate root causes — not just symptoms.

My research experience includes working at one of Europe’s leading research institutes, publishing in top academic journals, and securing over £20,000 (AUD 40,000) in competitive funding.

I specialise in systemic thinking and complex problem solving. I’m equally good at leading project teams, doing calculus, or writing code. And I’m not above getting my hands dirty in the process.

Check out some of the work I’ve done in the projects link on the side, or just click here.

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Skills

Technical:

  • Mathematical optimisation (quadratic, nonlinear, differential dynamic programming)
  • Statistical analysis & modelling
    • Regression & time-series analysis
    • Hypothesis testing
    • Design of experiments (DoE)
  • Predictive & optimal control (model-based, MPC)
  • Classical mechanics & multibody dynamics
  • Robot control systems (real-time implementation, tele-operation)
  • Mechanical design (3D CAD, production drawings, configuration management)

Soft:

  • Technical project leadership (research & engineering teams)
  • Structured problem solving (Six Sigma, DMAIC)
  • Root cause analysis & systems thinking
  • Workshop facilitation & cross-functional collaboration
  • Technical communication (executive & stakeholder presentations)

Programming Languages:

  • C++ (advanced)
  • Python (basic)
  • MATLAB

Spoken Languages:

  • 🇬🇧 English (native)
  • 🇮🇹 Italian (beginner)

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Work

Year(s) Role
February 2024 –
January 2026		 Research Fellow
STORM Lab UK, University of Leeds

• Worked on the Terabotics project to integrate high-frequency sensors with robotic systems for cancer detection.
• Won £10,000, beating all other applicants within the University, for an international collaboration on magnetic tentacle robots for heart intervention with the University of Technology Sydney, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
• Won £10,000 in a group contest on the Terabotics project to develop artifical limbs with realistic mechanical and optical properties for testing and research.
• Awarded £2,000 pounds to establish an international collaboration on robotic hip replacement surgery with the University of Technology Sydney.
• Developed my own C++ with an accompanying ROS2 interface for real-time control of robot arms (which you can find here).
July 2021 –
December 2023		 Postdoc
Humanoid Sensing & Perception, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

• Served as team leader for the Humanoid Sensing & Perception group on the ergoCub humanoid robot project.
• Led structured project planning workshops (task sequencing, risk analysis, dependency mapping), then managed execution via GitHub Projects (Kanban + Gantt tracking), and chaired weekly progress meetings.
• Directed intensive pre-deadline sprint cycles to ensure research milestones and live demonstrations were delivered on time.
• Designed and implemented real-time C++ bimanual manipulation classes for the ergoCub and iCub2 robots.
• Developed and deployed my own custom convex optimisation algorithm for real-time robot control, which can guarantee safety constraints on joint limit avoidance, singularity avoidance, object grasping, etc.
• Contributed to a full-stack autonomous human–robot interaction system by designing interface definition layers (IDLs) to coordinate upper-body motion primitives with perception-driven behaviour trees.
• Delivered technical presentations to project stakeholders, translating complex robotics and control concepts into accessible language for mixed technical/non-technical audiences.
February 2015 –
June 2020		 Doctoral Candidate / Engineer / Research Associate
Center for Autonomous Systems, University of Technology Sydney

• Worked on the submerged pile inspection robot project, a large-scale autonomous underwater inspection platform.
• Contributed to the mechanical design of early prototypes: developed full 3D CAD models, technical drawings, and oversaw manufacturing and assembly.
• Established a structured numbering and version control system to enable systematic management and development.
• Facilitated collaborative engineering design workshops to define operational use cases, derive minimal viable specifications, and formalise performance requirements.
• Conducted statistical and time-series analysis of ocean wave disturbances, comparing forecasting methods to support robust motion prediction; results published in peer-reviewed literature.
• Implemented real-time control aglorithms for robot arms, in both C++ and MATLAB.
• Published first peer-reviewed paper at IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2016 (34% acceptance rate).
December 2011 –
December 2014		 Engineering Scholar, Six Sigma Project Manager
Continuous Improvement Group, Maintenance Directorate, Sydney Trains

• Member of the Continuous Improvement Group within the Maintenance Directorate, delivering data-driven operational improvements across the rail network.
• Initiated and led a Six Sigma project saving AUD 100,000 in annual labour costs by optimising and resequencing routine inspections for the OSCAR train fleet.
• Led a $1,000,000 cost-reduction investigation into pantograph collector strip wear, applying regression modelling and statistical root-cause analysis to identify systemic failure drivers and recommend corrective actions.
• Travelled across multiple maintenance depots to collaborate with technicians, engineers, and stakeholders; gathered “voice of the customer” evidence, conducted field data collection, and developed evidence-based business cases.
• Completed a 3-month embedded sabbatical as a train technician to gain first-hand operational experience of depot workflows, frontline maintenance practices, and safety-critical procedures.
• Worked directly with senior executives to analyse operational performance data and produce technical reports identifying root causes and systemic contributors to on-time-running issues.
April 2007 –
March 2011		 Maintenance Fitter
Precision Valve Australia

• Conducted preventative maintenance and troubleshooting on assembly machines for aerosol valves, improving reliability and product quality.
• Designed, fabricated, and modified small machine parts (milling, turning, welding, spray-painting) to reduce machine downtime, and increase yield.
• Collaborated with supervisors and operators to plan production, prioritise maintenance, and coordinate job changeovers.
• Applied 5S methodology to the production area, improving organisation and workflow.
• Authored defect reports and compiled management reports on stoppages, root causes, and efficiency improvements.
• Achieved significant production improvements, including:
     – Increased output on a sub-assembly machine from 114% to 140% of target, producing 300,000 parts in a single shift, by voluntarily overhauling the pulley system and reducing mechanical play.
     – Improved yield on another machine from 84% to 98% by identifying and reducing spring diameter variation.
2006 Barista, Server
Jester’s Pies, Panania, NSW

• Managed stock-keeping, inventory ordering, and daily opening/closing procedures, ensuring smooth operations.
• Delivered attentive customer service, building positive relationships and repeat business.
• Recognized for barista skills; frequently requested by management to assist on high-demand days.
• Disseminated expertise with other staff on coffee preparation techniques and machine maintenance, to improve consistency of quality and service.

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Education

Year(s) Qualification
2015 – 2020 Doctor of Philosophy
University of Technology Sydney

Thesis: Control of Manipulators on Moving Platforms Under Disturbance
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 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

• Graduated with 1st Class Honors; ranked in the top 15% of all UTS students in 2012.
• Received a Diploma in Engineering Practice, recognised by Engineers Australia, as part of applied learning and professional development.
• Electives:
     – Control of Mechatronics Systems
     – Advanced Robotics
     – Design Optimisation for Manufacturing
     – Biomedical Instrumentation
• Honors thesis: “A Systems Thinking Approach to Pantograph Collector Strip Wear” Examined interrelated causal factors contributing to collector strip wear on rollingstock; applied regression modeling and hypothesis testing to identify key root causes (material properties and contact forces) for improved longevity
2007 – 2009 Certificate IV in Mechanical Trades (MEM40105)
South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE

Key competencies:
• Complex milling and turning, including gear cutting, thread cutting, and eccentric turning.
• Advanced fitting techniques, including pipe bending, mechanical seals, shrink/expansion fitting, non-destructive bearing removal, and wheel balancing.
• Machine installation, alignment, and floor planning, using precision measurement tools for accurate setup and balancing.
• Drafting and 2D CAD modeling for component and assembly design.
• Fault diagnosis and repair of mechanical systems.
• Welding and metal fabrication for assembly tasks.
2000 – 2005 High School Certificate
St Mary’s Cathedral College, Sydney

• 3 Unit Advanced English
• 3 Unit Advanced Mathematics
• 2 Unit Information Technology
• 2 Unit Studies of Religion
• Received a certificate for perfect attendance in Year 11 (2004) and Year 12 (2005).
• Member of the competitive swimming team; represented school at multiple state-level swimming competitions.

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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

Teaching and Supervision

Year(s) Role
2025 - Present PhD Co-Supervisor
University of Technology Sydney

• Co-supervising a PhD student researching model predictive contouring control applied to robotic hip replacement surgery.
• Mentoring in control theory, fundamental robotics concepts, and research methods, including experimental design, simulation, and implementation.
• Coaching the student on articulating research problems, solutions, and benefits to both professional and academic audiences.
• Providing guidance in C++ programming to support simulation, testing, and integration of robotic control algorithms.
2018 - Present Guest Lecturer, Teaching Assistant
Technical University of Munich (TUM) via edX.org, Coursera

• Delivered guest lectures on advanced topics in Lean manufacturing and the Toyota Production System, connecting theory to real-world professional practice.
• Actively engaged with hundreds of thousands of students worldwide via online forums, answering questions, providing applied examples, and facilitating discussions.
• Delivered live information sessions on Lean Six Sigma professional practice, responding to participant and encouraging course engagement.
• Contributed to course development and learning experience for a globally ranked top 10 online course of all time by Class Central
2016 - Present Casual Academic
Industrial Robotics, University of Technology Sydney

• Developed core lecture materials, including slides and recorded videos; some videos have received hundreds of thousands of YouTube views and positive feedback.
• Designed and wrote tutorial exercises, including instructions and MATLAB skeleton code for student implementation.
• Helped supervise during tutorials and laboratory sessions, assisting students to understand and engage with course content.
• Conducted live assessments for student projects and end-of-year assignments, both in-person and online.
• Contributed significantly to course content and structure to the UTS Canvas online learning platform.
2016 - 2019 Casual Academic
Mechanical & Mechatronic Design, University of Technology Sydney

• Contributed to lecture content on how to scope and undertake mechanical design projects as a professional engineer.
• Mentored students on managing engineering design projects with real industry clients, with a focus on design tools and methods, and stakeholder management.
• Participated in project assessments and review panels, evaluating design outcomes and providing constructive feedback to students.
• Assisted students during tutorial sessions, answering questions, and providing professional support with project work.
• Supported integration of practical industry experience with academic learning, helping students apply concepts to real-world engineering problems.

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Publications

⬅️ Click the link on the sidebar, or click here.