bio
I'm a PhD researcher in Computer Engineering, originally from a small town called Caggiano in southern Italy. I studied at the University of Salerno, where I completed both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and I'm now continuing there as a PhD student.
These days, I'm also a visiting researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy (MPI-SP) in Bochum, Germany. My work sits at the intersection of machine learning and security, with a focus on federated learning. I'm particularly interested in gradient inversion attacks (basically, how models can unintentionally leak private data) and how to detect and defend against these risks.
Education
2023 – present
Ph.D. in Computer Engineering
University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Privacy-preserving federated learning
Supervisors: Prof. Pasquale Foggia, Prof. Vincenzo Carletti
University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Privacy-preserving federated learning
Supervisors: Prof. Pasquale Foggia, Prof. Vincenzo Carletti
2021 – 2023
M.Sc. in Computer Engineering, curriculum Cybersecurity — Summa Cum Laude (GPA 30/30)
University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Thesis: "Evaluating the robustness of malware detection systems against blackbox attacks."
Supervisors: Prof. Pasquale Foggia, Prof. Vincenzo Carletti
University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Thesis: "Evaluating the robustness of malware detection systems against blackbox attacks."
Supervisors: Prof. Pasquale Foggia, Prof. Vincenzo Carletti
2018 – 2021
B.Sc. in Computer Engineering — Summa Cum Laude (GPA 28.82/30)
University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Thesis: "Digital Trekking: Microservizi per la pianificazione di trekking e escursioni."
University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
Thesis: "Digital Trekking: Microservizi per la pianificazione di trekking e escursioni."
Experience
2026 – present
Visiting Researcher
Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy (MPI-SP), Bochum, Germany
SysSec group — Prof. Thorsten Holz
Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy (MPI-SP), Bochum, Germany
SysSec group — Prof. Thorsten Holz
2025
Python Programming Lecturer
DIEM, University of Salerno, Italy
16-hour course (Applications for Electronics) — PRIDE project, funded by the European Commission and MIMIT
DIEM, University of Salerno, Italy
16-hour course (Applications for Electronics) — PRIDE project, funded by the European Commission and MIMIT
2024 – 2025
Teaching Assistant — Computer Architectures
DIEM, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
165 hours of tutoring and classroom exercises for B.Sc. programs in Computer Engineering and Digital Medicine Engineering (AY 2023/24–2024/25)
DIEM, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
165 hours of tutoring and classroom exercises for B.Sc. programs in Computer Engineering and Digital Medicine Engineering (AY 2023/24–2024/25)
2023
Research Assistant
DIEM, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
6-month part-time research fellow — PON project iCare.me (IoT device security for chronic patient monitoring and telemedicine)
DIEM, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
6-month part-time research fellow — PON project iCare.me (IoT device security for chronic patient monitoring and telemedicine)