Professional Profile

Structural engineer with over 5 years of experience across professional practice, research, and teaching in international contexts.

Focus areas include resilient and sustainable building systems, self-centring systems, structural design, numerical modelling, and experimental testing.

Professional Experience

 
 
 
 
 
Doctoral Researcher
UCL
2020 – 2025 London, UK

Conducted state-of-the-art research on earthquake-resilient buildings, integrating structural design, numerical modelling, and large-scale experimental testing.

Thesis: Advancing the design of seismic-resilient buildings with self-centring systems Advisors: Dr. F. Freddi (UCL), Dr. Barbara Simpson (Stanford University) Responsibilities:

  • Planning and executing independent research activities for papers and funding calls
  • Publishing and presenting research at leading international conferences
  • Collaborating with international academic and industry partners
  • Developing thesis research on self-centring systems for seismic resilience
 
 
 
 
 
Teaching Assistant
UCL
2021 – 2025 London, UK

Delivered teaching and technical supervision in structural engineering and architecture modules for large student cohorts.

Modules:

  • Materials, Mechanics and Making (BARC0006), around 70 students per year
  • Mechanics of Buildings (BARC0149), around 60 students per year

Responsibilities:

  • Developing teaching materials independently
  • Delivering in-person theory and laboratory sessions
  • Supervising final-year research projects
 
 
 
 
 
Visiting Researcher
Stanford University
2023 Palo Alto, US

Visiting student researcher at the Blume Center, contributing to seismic-resilient steel and mass timber research with Stanford collaborators.

Responsibilities:

  • Designing structural systems under US building codes
  • Developing numerical models and seismic assessments
  • Leading shake-table testing and data interpretation, including work linked to the LHPOST6 test programme at UC San Diego
  • Preparing technical reports and communicating findings to collaborators and stakeholders
 
 
 
 
 
Visiting Student Trainee
University College London (UCL)
2020 London, UK
Erasmus+ traineeship within the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering, preceding the start of doctoral studies.
 
 
 
 
 
Data Analyst (Freelance)
Station to Station - Business Improvement District
2025 – Present London, UK
Supported local businesses by analysing and interpreting quantitative data to inform evidence-based decision-making.

Supervision Experience

Supervised in collaboration with Dr Fabio Freddi:

  • 2024, MSc in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management at UCL Ground motion selection for shaking table test of a large-scale self-centering low-damage steel frame.
  • 2023, MEng in Engineering and Architectural Design at UCL Evaluation of uncertainties on seismic response of eccentrically braced frames with self-centering links and optimization of the self-centering link’s performance.
  • 2023, BSc in Civil Engineering at UCL Evaluation of uncertainties on seismic response of eccentrically braced frames with self-centering links and optimization of the self-centering link’s performance. Joanne Wong is currently a Postgraduate Student at UCL and Benny Lao is currently a Graduate Structural Engineer at Atkins Realis.
  • 2022, MSc in Earthquake Engineering with Disaster Management at UCL Strength reduction factors for the seismic design of self-centering structures. Currently PhD Student at The University of Hong Kong.
  • 2021, MEng in Engineering and Architectural Design at UCL Impact of model uncertainties on the seismic response of eccentrically braced steel frames with self-centering links. Project recognised with the Emerging Engineers Award from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Leo Kauntz Moderini is currently an Architectural Assistant at Foster + Partners.

Skills

Software

  • AutoCAD
  • SAP2000, ETABS
  • Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Programming

  • MATLAB, R, Python
  • Tcl
  • SQL

Codes and regulations

  • ASCE 7, ASCE 41, FEMA 356
  • Eurocodes 0, 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 3-4, 8-1, 8-3
  • AISC 360, AISC 341
  • ACI 318

Academic, Professional, and University Service

  • Professional license (Chartered Engineer) in Italy since 2020
  • Co-opted member of the SECED Young Members Subcommittee for 2025 to 2026
  • Elected member of the SECED Young Members Subcommittee for 2023 to 2025
  • Conference chair of session CMS14 at the 2024 World Conference on Earthquake Engineering
  • Staff member on the UCL MSc Earthquake Engineering field trip to Turkiye in 2024
  • Member of IStructE, ICE, and EERI

Honors and Awards

  • 2023 - Runner-Up, PEER Lightning Talk Competition Awarded at the PEER Annual Meeting by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, Berkeley. Title: “Design procedure for rocking and pivoting mass timber walls with controlled overturning moments”. Authors: L. Pieroni, G.A. Araujo, B. Simpson, F. Freddi.
  • 2023 - UCL Turing Project Scholarship (GBP 2k equivalent to ~ USD 2.6k) Awarded through the UK Government’s Turing Scheme for studying, working, and living abroad. Host Institution: Stanford University. Award number: TS-2021-10102. Academic year 2022/2023.
  • 2020 - Fully Granted PhD Scholarship (GBP 200k equivalent to ~ USD 260k) Awarded and funded by the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering at University College London. Duration: 4 years (2020-2024).
  • 2020 - Erasmus+ Traineeship Scholarship (EUR 3k equivalent to ~ USD 4k) Awarded by Marche Polytechnic University through the Erasmus+ traineeship scheme on the basis of academic merit. Host Institution: University College London. Duration: 6 months.
  • 2014 - First Prize, Best Research Project Awarded by the Association of Italian Industry (Confindustria), in partnership with Marche Polytechnic University, for the best research project in sustainable solutions for civil engineering. Title: “Recycling and valorization of components derived from end-of-life tires for civil engineering materials”.
  • 2012 - Undergraduate Scholarship (EUR 3.5k equivalent to ~ USD 4k) Awarded by Banca delle Marche to students with the strongest academic record.