Governance
Antonino Squillace
PRESIDENT
Antonino Squillace has been Full Professor of Manufacturing Technologies and Systems at the Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering of the University of Naples Federico II since 2017. He is a member of the Doctoral College in Technology, Innovation and Management, and the Coordinator of the Research Committee of the Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering at the University of Naples Federico II. Since 2020, he has been the Rector's Delegate for Research Quality Assessment Systems at the same institution. He is the Principal Investigator in several national and international research projects funded through competitive calls, as well as in private company-funded research projects. His research focuses on processing metallic materials, particularly precision forming, powder- and wire-based additive manufacturing processes, and solid-state welding. He is the author of over 200 scientific publications indexed on the most prestigious platforms.
Giuseppe Casalino
Vice president
Giuseppe Casalino is a Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical, Mathematical and Management Engineering (DMMM) of the Polytechnic University of Bari and Rector’s Delegate for Research Infrastructures for the 2025–2031 term. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is active in teaching and research in the fields of industrial production, advanced welding, and intelligent manufacturing technologies. He leads the Hybrid Welding Laboratory and the CISP Lab (Laboratory of Intelligent Computation for Manufacturing and Production Systems), coordinating projects on hybrid joining processes, numerical modeling, artificial intelligence applied to production, and 3D printing. Author of numerous international scientific publications, he participates in national and international research and training programs. His work aims to promote applied research and technology transfer, strengthening the role of technologies in the Italian academic and industrial system.
Michela Simoncini
SECRETARY AND BOARD MEMBER
Michela Simoncini is Associate Professor of Manufacturing Technologies and Systems at the Polytechnic University of Marche. Her research focuses on manufacturing processes of metallic and composite materials, additive manufacturing technologies of metals, polymers and composite materials, solid state welding of lightweight alloys, and sustainable manufacturing. She is co-author of more than 130 papers in scientific journals and proceedings of international and national conferences, and book chapters. She participates in national and regional research and development projects, in collaboration with leading Italian companies in the manufacturing field.
Claudio Giardini
Treasurer and board member
Claudio Giardini is Full Professor of Manufacturing Technologies and Systems at the University of Bergamo, teaching Mechanical Technology and Industrial Quality Management II. His research focuses on manufacturing technologies, particularly on experimental and simulated plastic deformation and chip removal processes, Friction Stir Welding, micro-electroerosion, innovative metal sheet and pipe deformation processes, additive manufacturing techniques for polymers and metals, as well as on the optimization and control of these technologies.
Francesco Gagliardi
BOARD MEMBER
Francesco Gagliardi is Associate Professor of Manufacturing Technologies and Systems. He graduated cum laude in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Calabria and obtained a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Calabria. He was Visiting Researcher, for almost three years in all, in several international research centres, such as the Technische Universitat of Dortmund, the Aragon Institute of Engineering Research of Zaragoza, the Universiteit of Gent, the Ohio State University of Columbus and the Siemens PLM software of Leuven. His research includes the development and analysis of innovative and sustainable industrial production processes on new materials (lightweight alloys and polymeric-based materials).
Andrea Ghiotti
BOARD MEMBER
Andrea Ghiotti is Associate Professor of Manufacturing Technologies and Systems at the Industrial Engineering Department of the University of Padova. His research focuses on mechanical processing through plastic deformation and removal as well as process monitoring and simulation. He is a full member of ICFG (International Cold Forging Group) and associate member of CIRP (The International Academy for Production Engineering) and ESAFORM (European Scientific Association for material FORMing).
Giuseppe Ingarao
BOARD MEMBER
Giuseppe Ingarao received his M.Sc. degree in Management Engineering in 2005 and his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management in 2009, both from the University of Palermo, Italy. During his Ph.D. studies, he spent an eight-month research period at the of École Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers (ENSAM) in Paris. In 2012, he was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship at the Centre for Industrial Management/Traffic & Infrastructure (CIB) of KU Leuven, Belgium. He is currently a Full Professor of Manufacturing at the Department of Engineering, University of Palermo. His research focuses on sustainable manufacturing, with particular emphasis on: the design of energy- and resource-efficient metal shaping processes (additive, subtractive, and mass-conserving); methods and techniques for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of metal components; innovative metal recycling and reshaping processes. He serves as Coordinator of the MS15: Sustainability in Material Forming within the ESAFORM conference series. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, and serves in the Scientific Committees of NAMRI | SME and the CIRP Life Cycle Engineering (LCE) conference.
Maria Chiara Magnanini
BOARD MEMBER
Maria Chiara Magnanini is a Tenured Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Politecnico di Milano, where she earned a PhD cum laude in Mechanical Engineering in 2019. Her research focuses on stochastic and robust control methodologies for multi-stage manufacturing and remanufacturing systems, cyber-physical production systems, and zero-defect manufacturing. She has held visiting positions at the University of Texas at Austin and Karlsruhe Institute für Technologie. Active in European (Horizon Europe) and national projects, she leads research collaborations with industry. She teaches Cyber-Physical Manufacturing Systems and assists in Tecnologia Meccanica e Qualità and Manufacturing Systems Engineering. She is a member of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP).
Michelangelo Mortello
BOARD MEMBER
Michelangelo Mortello is currently the Head of Corporate Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships at the Istituto Italiano della Saldatura – Ente Morale (IIS) Group in Genoa. With a PhD in Mechanical and Management Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bari and the École Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers, and management training in public-private partnerships from SDA Bocconi, he is a chartered Industrial Engineer in Italy and the United Kingdom. He has gained professional and research experience in Italy, the United Kingdom, and France, developing technical, managerial, and leadership skills in international contexts, at varying levels of confidentiality. He is also President of the Scientific Committee of CALEF (coordinated by ENEA), Chairman of the Research & Innovation Council of the EWF Federation, Chairman of the Materials and Manufacturing Division of the EASS Hub of the Liguria Region, and President of the Organizing Committee of the IIW General Assembly. He is the Italian representative in important Defense Groups and Committees, and he is the Italian delegate to the IIW Commission C-IV Power Beam Processes. He is also an Associate Editor of the Rivista Italiana della Saldatura (Italian Welding Journal). A highly regarded speaker, he coordinates the research and innovation portfolio at international and national level and supervises international doctoral programs in the field of advanced manufacturing.
Paolo Priarone
BOARD MEMBER
Paolo C. Priarone received his MSc degree cum laude in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Production Systems and Industrial Design from Politecnico di Torino. He is currently an Associate Professor of Manufacturing at the Department of Management and Production Engineering of the same University, as well as an Associate Member of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP). His scientific activity focuses on sustainable manufacturing and development, advanced production technologies, the optimization and decarbonization of manufacturing systems, and machining of non-conventional materials. The results of his research are reflected in two patents and a wide range of scientific publications of national and international relevance, as well as in research projects and collaborations carried out both in Italy and abroad. Since 2024, he has been serving as Coordinator of the AITeM Observatory on the Sustainability of Manufacturing Technologies and Systems.
Loredana Santo
BOARD MEMBER
Loredana Santo is full professor of Manufacturing Technologies at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. She is head of the Department of Industrial Engineering, vice-head of the Center “Manufacturing Technology, Health and Regulation” (MATHER) and founder of the Space Sustainability Center. She is Doctor honoris causa at the Technical University Gheorghe Asachi of Iasi and at the "Dunărea de Jos" University of Galați. She has been principal investigator of many projects and experiments on board of the International Space Station, keynote speaker in many international conferences, and organizer of several international symposia. Her scientific activity has been mainly focused on innovative materials and manufacturing processes and industrial and space sustainability. She is author of over 200 manuscripts accepted in international journals, books and conferences proceedings.
Miriam Seiti
BOARD MEMBER
Miriam Seiti is a Researcher (RTDA) and Young Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (DIMI) of the University of Brescia (UniBS). She earned her PhD in Engineering Technology at KU Leuven (Belgium), followed by a Post-doc, both supported by two prestigious FWO PhD and Post-doc Fellowships, and obtained a dual PhD degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at UniBS in 2024. She was a Visiting Researcher at the University of Cambridge (UK) in 2025. She holds a Bachelor’s (2016) and Master’s (2019) degree in Industrial and Management Engineering with honors from UniBS. Her research focuses on additive manufacturing technologies and related innovative materials for electronic, bioelectronic, and bioprinting. She is author of 21 international publications (h-index 8) and has participated in over 15 international conferences and seminars. Her recognitions include young researcher grants (≈50k€), three Best Paper Awards, and one Best Presentation Award. She serves as the researchers’ representative at DIMI and as an Early Career Advisory Board Member of APL Electronic Devices (AIP, 2024–2027).
Ciro Sinagra
BOARD MEMBER
Ciro Sinagra is Senior Advisor R&D Manager at Laminazione Sottile Group. Expert in aluminium metallurgy and manufacturing processes of both plain and coated rolled products. Specialist in packaging and food contact materials. Since June 2024, he has been president of the AIBO-Food Contact Expert association, which deals with the compliance of MOCA (Materials and Objects in Contact with Food). He was Vice President of the Italian Packaging Institute for 4 years, and is a CentroAl council member. He has published more than 110 scientific articles. Former temporary lecturer at the University of Naples Federico II within the Stepfar project. Inventor of 5 industrial patents. In 2017, he was awarded the Italian award for work diligence and service and the title of Master of Labor.
Gino Dini
academy director
Gino Dini is Full Professor at the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering of the University of Pisa. His teaching activity includes Manufacturing Processes and Integrated Manufacturing Systems in BA and MSc courses in Mechanical Engineering and Management. His research activity is mainly focused on the optimization of automatic and non-automatic assembly lines, on the use of augmented reality systems to support operators and on chip removal processes of non-traditional materials, as evidenced by numerous scientific contributions both nationally and internationally, from research projects and cooperations with universities and research institutions in Italy and abroad. He is a consultant of the Ministry of Economic Development for the review of research and development projects of national interest.
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