Personal details
Date of birth: 18 May 1983
Place of birth: Cagliari, Italy
Citizenship: Italian

Education
2009–2013
Ph.D. in Astronomy and Astrophysics, cum laude (top 5%)
University of Groningen - Kapteyn Institute
Title:“Accretion flow properties of low-mass X-ray binaries” Obtained: 8 February 2013
Supervisor: Prof. dr. Mariano Mendez

2005–2008
Master’s Degree in Physics, 110/110 cum laude
University of Cagliari - Physics Department

Title:“Study of the X-ray spectrum of Cen X-3” Obtained: 8 February 2008

Supervisor: Prof. dr. Luciano Burderi

2002–2005

Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, 110/110 cum laude
University of Cagliari - Physics Department
Title:“Distribution of the absorbed energy inside interstellar dust grains” Obtained: 23 September 2005
Supervisor: Prof. dr. Nicolò D’Amico, dr. Giacomo Mulas

 

Languages
Italian: Native language

English: C-1 level

French: Basic
 

Experience
2002–2005

Full professional proficiency
Current Position:
Postdoctoral Researcher 2013–present
University of Cagliari - Physics Department
Supervisor: Prof. dr. Luciano Burderi
The main goal of this research project is to investigate the properties of Galactic accreting X-ray neutron stars. In particular, the study of those sources that show very fast rotational spin period of the order of milliseconds. My main interest is related to characterise their temporal and spectral properties, such as the study of accreting torques acting on the NS surface during the outburst phase and the study of the reflection components observed in these accreting objects by adopting self-consistent models on, when possible, broadband X-ray spectra. Recently I joined the scientific team involved in the feasibility study of the H.E.R.M.E.S. (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites) project.

Previous Positions:
Ph.D. Student 2009–2013
University of Groningen - Kapteyn Institute
Supervisor: Prof. dr. Mariano Mendez
During my Ph.D. I expanded my knowledge of accretion processes onto compact objects and in particular of low-mass X-ray binaries harbouring neutron stars and solar massive black holes. The main focus of the research activity was the study of aperiodic, more specifically quasi-periodic variability in X-ray binary systems where matter is transferred from a low mass star onto a compact object via accretion disk. Moreover, part of my work focused also on the eect of the strong gravitational field of these compact objects on the energy spectral features such as the broad asymmetric Iron emission lines observed in these systems.

External Collaborator Apr 2008–Dec 2008
University of Groningen - Kapteyn Institute
Supervisor: Prof. dr. Mariano Mendez
Collaboration on the topic “Study of quasi-periodic oscillations in the low-mass X-ray binary XTE J1701-462”

 

Fellowships and Grants
Ricercatore rtd/A: High Energy Astrophysics, University of Cagliari, Italy. Awarded in October 2018 (36 months).
Contact: Prof. dr. Luciano Burderi

Assegno di Ricerca: High Energy Astrophysics, University of Cagliari, Italy. Awarded in 2013 (24 months), renewed in 2015 (12 months), renewed 2016 (12 months) and renewed 2017 (12 months). Contact: Prof. dr. Luciano Burderi
Grant: PRIN INAF 2012, Co.I. of research project founded by INAF. Awarded in 2013 Contact: dr. Tomaso Belloni
Fellowship: Master and Back Sardinian Fellowship, Research project at the Kapteyn Institute, University of Groningen. Awarded in 2008

Schools and Trainings
MLBE – ‘Matlab Fundamentals’
University of Groningen
Contact: Marlies Terlouw
Multi-wavelength Astronomy School
University of Paris, France
Contact: Prof. dr. S. Corbel

 

Instrumentation Experience
Dec 2011 June–July 2009
LOFT Consortium Member: Member of the scientific committee for the development of LOFT and member of the LOFT ‘Strong Gravity‘ Science group.
eXTP Consortium Member: Member of the scientific committee for the development of eXTP and member of the eXTP ‘Dense Matter‘ Science group.
eXTP Consortium Member: Member of the scientific committee for the development of eXTP and member of the eXTP ‘Strong Field Gravity‘ Science group.
eXTP Consortium Member: Member of the scientific committee for the development of eXTP and member of the eXTP ‘Observatory Science‘ Science group.
H.E.R.M.E.S. Technological - Consortium Member: Member of the scientific committee for the development of H.E.R.M.E.S. and member of the H.E.R.M.E.S. ‘Science and Simulation‘ group.
H.E.R.M.E.S. Scientific Pathfinder - Consortium Member: Work Package leader of the H.E.R.M.E.S. SP ‘Mission Definition‘ (H2020 founded project).

 

Computer skills
Operating Systems: MacOS X, UNIX, Windows XP/7
Languages: IDL, Fortran, Python, awk, MATLAB, latex
Applications: Mathematica, MS Oce XP, Gnuplot
Scientific Softwares: heasoft packages, XMM-Newton Scientific Analysis System (SAS), Chandra Interactive Analysis of Observations (CIAO), Fermi Science Tools
Programming: Developer of software for semi-automatic data reduction and analysis of astrophysical data (from RXTE, Swift, Fermi, Suzaku, XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, AstroSAT and NICER)

 

Observational Experiences
Experienced in X-ray, Gamma-ray and UV spectral and timing analysis: analysis of data from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), Swift-XRT and UVOT, XMM-Newton, Suzaku, NuSTAR, FERMI and NICER satellites.

Accepted proposals:

• XMM-Newton + NuSTAR observations of 4U 1636-53 (3 times 30ks+30ks), AO 14 (P.I.)
• XMM-Newton + NuSTAR ToO observations of MAXI J0911-655 (40ks + 60 ks) (P.I.)
• XMM-Newton + NuSTAR ToO observations of IGR J17379-3747 (40ks + 40 ks) (P.I.)
• XMM-Newton + NuSTAR ToO observations of SWIFT J1756.9-2508 (40ks + 60 ks) (P.I.)
• XMM-Newton ToO observations of new AMXP (35ks), AO 18 (P.I.)
• NuSTAR ToO observations of MAXI J0911-655 (34ks) (P.I.)
• NuSTAR ToO observations of Aql X-1 (70ks) (P.I.)
• NuSTAR ToO observations of Swift J181723-164300 (36ks) (P.I.)
• NuSTAR ToO observations of NGC 6440 (44ks) (P.I.)
• More than 30 Swift ToO Observations (P.I.)
• AstroSAT ToO observations of MAXI J0911-655 (50 ks), AO 5 (P.I.)
• Several XMM-Newton and NuSTAR ToO (Co.I.)
• NuSTAR proposal (80 ks) Cycle 2 (Co.I.)

 

Reviewing Experience
Referee for peer-review journals:

• The Astrophysical Journal and The Astrophysical Journal Letters
• Advances in Space Research
• Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Reviewer for observational proposals:

• AstroSAT (cycle A04)

Referee for proposal peer-review:

• Member of the XMM-Newton AO 18 panel

 

Teaching and Supervising Experience
Teaching:

• Lecture (1 hour) and tutorial (15 hours) at the ‘Advance Research Workshop on X-ray Timing’,
  Pune, India, 2012
• Lectures (6 times 2 hours) on InterStellar Medium as part of the course of Fundaments of
  Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Cagliari, 2015
• Lectures (6 times 2 hours) on InterStellar Medium as part of the course of Fundaments of
  Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Cagliari, 2016
• Lectures (6 times 2 hours) on InterStellar Medium as part of the course of Fundaments of
  Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Cagliari, 2017
• Lectures (6 times 2 hours) on InterStellar Medium as part of the course of Fundaments of
  Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Cagliari, 2018

Supervising:

• Co-supervisor of the Bachelor student Mathijs van der Mast on the “Study of time derivative of the kHz QPOs in the LMXB 4U 1702-42”, University of Groningen, 2012
• Co-supervisor of the Master students Fabiana Scarano and Ignazio Serra, University of Cagliari, 2013/14
• Co-supervisor of the Bachelor student Enrico Monstallino, University of Cagliari, 2015
• Co-supervisor of the Bachelor students Andrea Tronci, Arianna Manca, Eleonora Puzzoni and
  Gaia Aru, University of Cagliari, 2016/17
• Co-supervisor of the Master student Matteo Fratta, University of Cagliari, 2016/17
• Co-supervisor of the Bachelor students Claudia Pani and Nicola Deiosso, University of Cagliari, 2017/18

 

Major Collaborations
University of Palermo: Collaboration with Prof. dr. Tiziana Di Salvo and Prof. dr. Rosario Iaria Main topic: spectral and timing properties of accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars
Brera Astronomical Observatory: Collaboration with dr. Tomaso Belloni Main topic: Aperiodic variability on X-ray transients
University of Groningen: Collaboration with Prof. dr. Mariano Mendez Main topic: kHz QPOs in neutron stars X-ray binaries
University of Oxford: Collaboration with dr. Sara Elisa Motta Main topic: QPOs in X-ray binaries
University of Southampton: Collaboration with dr. Diego Altamirano Main topic: X-ray timing on compact objects
ISDC - Science Data Center for Astrophysics: Collaboration with dr. Enrico Bozzo and dr. Carlo Ferrigno
Main topic: X-ray transient sources
University of Rome: Collaboration with dr. Alessandro Papitto Main topic: transitional accreting millisecond X-ray pulsars
European Southern Observatory: Collaboration with dr. Maria Diaz Trigo Main topic: neutron star jets

 

Attended conferences with contributed talks:

• “H.E.R.M.E.S. SP H2020 Kick-o Meeting”, Rome, Italy, November 2018, invited speaker
• “H.E.R.M.E.S. Tecnologico RA2 meeting ”, Rome, Italy, October 2018
• “H.E.R.M.E.S. Meeting 2018”, Rome, Italy, September 2018, invited speaker
• “42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly”, Pasadena, United States, July 2018
• “Four challenges in gravitational-wave astronomy with NS”, Parma, Italy, January 2018, invited speaker
• “11th Bonn Workshop on Formation and Evolution of NS”, Bonn, Germany, December 2017, invited speaker
• “EWAS 2017 – Properties and evolution of accreting compact objects in low and high mass X-ray binaries”, Prague, Czech Republic, June 2017
• “ISSI TEAM MEETING - There it Spins: the hunt for Black Hole spins”, Bern, Switzerland, February 2017
• “ISSI TEAM MEETING - The Disk-Magnetosphere Interaction Around Transitional Millisecond Pulsars”, Bern, Switzerland, January 2017
• “EWAS 2016 – Exploring pulsar formation, evolution and magnetic field: from low mass X-ray binaries to magnetars”, Athens, Greece, July 2015
• ‘ISSI TEAM MEETING”, Bern, Switzerland, September 2015
• “The Unquiet Universe”, Cefalù, Italy, June 2014
• "CNOC 2013", Ferrara, Italy, September 2013
• "Advance Research Workshop on X-ray Timing", Pune, India, January 2012, invited speaker
• “Nova School”, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands, November 2011
• “The X-ray Universe”, Berlin, Germany, June 2011
• ‘Monday Lunch Talk”, Kapteyn Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands, May 2011
• ‘ISSI TEAM MEETING”, Bern, Switzerland, March 2011
• “Fast X-ray timing and spectroscopy at extreme count rates”, Champery, Switzerland, February 2011
• “High energy view of accreting objects”, Crete, Greece, November 2010
• “Cospar - 38th Scientific Assembly”, Bremen, Germany, July 2010
• “Black Hole variability workshop”, Southampton, UK, May 2010
• “NW3 Science Meeting”, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2009

 

Conference organization:

• “EWAS 2017 – Properties and evolution of accreting compact objects in low and high mass X-ray binaries”, Prague, Czech Republic, June 2017, Co-Chair and SOC member
• “SIGRAV 2018 – Black holes: Theory and Observaitons”, Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy, September 2018, LOC member