I was born in Turin, Italy, where I completed all my studies up to the PhD, which deepened my interest in fluid dynamics. After completing my PhD, I left Italy to pursue postdocs at the University of Oxford (UK), The Open University in Milton Keynes (UK), and the Université Pierre et Marie Curie (now Sorbonne Université) in Paris (France). During this time, my research shifted from fundamental vortex dynamics to the study of Mars' climate and weather, using satellite data analysis and data assimilation into a Mars global climate model. Since then, I have specialized in Mars' atmosphere, particularly dust storms, polar vortices, and their relationship with global dynamics.
In late 2013, I joined the Space Science Institute and served as the PI on three NASA grants related to Mars' atmosphere. The first two grants focused on data assimilation and satellite atmospheric retrievals, while the third involved developing a SmallSat-class satellite mission concept to monitor Mars' weather from an areostationary orbit.
In parallel with my research, I have developed strong interests in education, outreach, and entrepreneurship. Over the past ten years, I have been involved in several outreach initiatives in France, sharing knowledge about space science with the broader French-speaking public. My commitment to promoting space-related education in formal settings led me to serve as 'Distinguished Visiting Faculty' at the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain (UAE) during the spring semester of 2020. Additionally, I have founded a private company in France that focuses on research and informal education in planetary sciences.
Currently, I live and work in South-East France, with my office located at the Savoie-Technolac Science and Technology park in Le Bourget-du-Lac. I am a science team member of the Emirates Mars Mission, an elected member of the Europlanet executive board, and part of the ESA Instrument Definition Team for the meteorological payload of the Lightship-1 mission concept.