My school education
Both high school[1] and middle school[2] have been personally and culturally enriching experiences. I had the opportunity to meet wonderful people and form relationships that still mean a lot to me today. High school, in particular, provided me with extensive knowledge through a diverse curriculum of 11 subjects. Studying art, history, philosophy, and Italian literature allowed me to deepen my understanding of the humanities, complementing my primary focus on the sciences.
My Middle School
My High School
Bachelor and Master
Moving to the United States was not easy, as I had to leave behind my family, friends, home, and routines. I decided to attend university in the US for several reasons: improving my English, gaining hands-on experience through projects (unlike the primarily theoretical approach common in Italy), meeting people from new cultures, and changing my environment to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. So far, my university[1] has helped me grow significantly, both personally and academically, especially in scientific and technical fields.
To continue this journey, I am now pursuing a Master in Design Engineering (MDE) at Harvard University. This program represents the perfect evolution of my academic path, allowing me to merge my technical foundation with design thinking to tackle complex, real-world problems. The collaborative environment continues to push me out of my comfort zone, surrounding me with incredibly talented peers from diverse backgrounds and further developing my skills in system design and strategic innovation.
[1] Boston University. Actual GPA: 3.93/4.0 view diploma
Tennis
Competitive tennis has been a defining journey of resilience and growth. It taught me to navigate both success and failure, helping me to understand my strengths and push past my limits. Beyond the court, this experience instilled in me rigorous discipline, commitment, and mental stamina. As a top-ranked athlete—reaching the top 20 in Italy and maintaining the #1 ranking in Piedmont for several years—I learned that success is built on constant self-improvement and the ability to maintain clarity and emotional control under pressure.
LEGO®
My passion for engineering was ignited by LEGO®. More than just a hobby, it became my first lesson in mechanics. I specialized in modifying LEGO® Technic™ sets—reconfiguring motors, gears, and hydraulic pumps to push the boundaries of the original designs. While I have built sets for collection, my true enthusiasm lies in the functional challenges of construction. This experience established my foundation in logic, patience, and mechanical precision.
Some of the Lego® Technic™
4 pieces of the Lego® Creator Expert™ series
Music and chess
I attribute my path to a blend of family influences. From my father—an engineer and tennis player—I likely inherited my aptitude for science and my drive for athletics. Conversely, my mother, a ballet dancer, instilled in me an appreciation for the arts, exposing me to the theater and enrolling me in flute and chess classes.
During middle school, I dedicated my free time to music and chess. By high school, however, the increasing demands on my schedule led me to channel all my energy into competitive tennis and my academic studies.
Looking back, those three years of music taught me to cherish the unique satisfaction of creative expression. Similarly, even though my time with chess was short, it sharpened my logic and strategic thinking, training me to maintain a clear mind while seeking the optimal solution among countless possibilities.
