ASTROPHYSICS · EXOPLANETS · SPACE SCIENCE
My journey into data science began far beyond Earth.
During my PhD in Astrophysics, Preparing for the Scientific Exploitation of the PLATO Mission, I explored how we discover, validate, and understand planets beyond our Solar System. My work brought together theoretical astrophysics, astronomical observations, statistics, Python programming and space instrumentation.
It was an opportunity to approach complex scientific questions from multiple angles: leading research projects, collaborating with international teams, and translating large volumes of data into evidence.
The main goal of my PhD was to contribute to the scientific preparation of ESA's PLATO mission, designed to discover and characterize exoplanets, including Earth-like worlds around Sun-like stars. I studied the planetary populations and observational challenges that make these discoveries possible.
Why are Neptune-sized planets so uncommon in extremely close orbits around their stars? I investigated the so-called Hot Neptune Desert through both candidate validation and theoretical modeling. In one study, our team statistically validated TOI-277 b and TOI-1288 b and identified additional promising targets. A subsequent study explored the desert in a new parameter space based on stellar properties.
Planetary orbital periods are usually inferred from repeated transits. But what if only a single transit is observed? I developed and tested an analytical approach for estimating orbital periods from mono-transit events, using TESS observations as prior knowledge for potential future PLATO targets.
I also explored the theoretical efficiency of oxygenic photosynthesis on Earth-like planets in the habitable zone. This work connected stellar radiation, planetary environments, and the physical conditions that might support life, and was presented at the National Congress of Planetary Sciences and the COSPAR Scientific Assembly.
As part of NASA's Planet Patrol citizen-science project, I joined the scientific core team investigating exoplanet candidates identified by the TESS space telescope. The project brought researchers and volunteers together to distinguish genuine planetary signals from astrophysical or instrumental false positives.
I led the first-author study The TESS Triple-9 Catalog II, in which we systematically examined 999 exoplanet candidates using the Python-based DAVE validation pipeline and the contributions of citizen scientists. I also took part in regular project meetings, discussing ongoing analyses and helping volunteers understand how to vet planetary signals.
Beyond this project, I contributed to TESS collaboration studies of terrestrial planets, multi-planet systems, and young planetary systems. These experiences deepened my interest in reproducible analysis, statistical validation, and computational workflows.
My PhD also took me into an industrial research environment at Leonardo S.p.A., where I spent two research periods working on experimental tests of PLATO's telescope optical units. The tests investigated optical performance under mechanical, thermal, and electrical stresses, including changes in the Point Spread Function under different environmental conditions.
I developed Python tools to automate and analyze experimental test data and studied the performance of the assembly, integration, and testing processes. Results from this work contributed to a presentation at the SPIE conference in Japan on PLATO telescope optical testing in ambient and cryo-vacuum environments.
Research gave me the chance to exchange ideas with scientists across institutions and disciplines. I was invited to present my work on Hot Neptunes in an online seminar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and shared findings at COSPAR, Italian planetary-science meetings and PLATO science meetings.
I also developed and led an observing proposal for the James Webb Space Telescope, aimed at characterizing the atmosphere of TOI-1288 b. Although the proposal was not selected, the process offered valuable experience in formulating a scientific case and designing an observational program.
Validation of rare short-period Neptune-sized planets, including TOI-277 b and TOI-1288 b.
A large-scale validation study combining automated analysis and citizen science.
An analytical approach to extracting orbital information from single-transit observations.
A different perspective on the observed scarcity of close-in Neptune-sized planets.
Throughout my PhD, I learned to build analytical tools, work with imperfect data, test hypotheses, quantify uncertainty, and communicate complex findings. Today I apply that same curiosity and scientific approach to products, users, and business decisions.
See what I'm working on now →