About me
👋 Welcome! I am an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the Department of Computer Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, where I specialize in machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision, with applications in fields like e-health, drone vision, and digital humanities. During the workday, if you don’t spot me with my legs stretched out in my office on the sixth floor, I’m probably down in the CILAB lab on the fourth floor, where the real magic happens—or possibly in Professor Giovanna Castellano’s office, stealing her taralli (a classic Italian snack 🥨) and handing them out to anyone who crosses my path!
With a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Mathematics, I’m deeply involved in advancing research, leading and contributing to diverse projects, including a recently concluded European initiative focused on computational methods for cultural heritage. I’m an Editorial Board member of the International Journal of Intelligent Systems and regularly organize scientific events. My role also involves mentoring Ph.D. students, reviewing for top-tier venues, and serving on program committees for several conferences. I’m also a member of IEEE and other scientific communities.
🚀 Current Research Projects
đź”” Exciting News!
A new collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Transport is about to take flight! I’ll be leading a project focused on using drones to enhance roadside assistance, aiming to revolutionize emergency response on the road. Stay tuned for updates!
đź“š Current Teaching
Teaching is a big part of what I do! Here are my current courses:
🧠Deep Learning, M.Sc. in Data Science
Deep learning is still more like alchemy than chemistry—a blend of intuition, experimentation, and a bit of magic—but it’s precisely this “alchemy” that powers AI as the transformative technology it is today. In this course, students dive into both the theoretical foundations and the hands-on applications of deep learning, exploring how neural networks and advanced architectures drive innovation across fields.
🤖 Computational Intelligence, B.Sc. in Computer Science
This course explores the development of intelligent systems capable of adapting, learning from experience, and solving complex problems—essentially, systems that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence. Co-taught with Professor Corrado Mencar, my focus is on foundational neural networks, providing students with the basics of machine learning and its applications.
đź’» Computer Science Laboratory, B.Sc. Programs in Computer Science (Bari and Taranto)
The course bridges the gap between programming theory and practical software engineering skills. It emphasizes coding fundamentals, allowing students to move from theory into practical application, building a foundation essential for advanced studies and industry practice.
đź“ť Recent Publications
Art2Mus: Bridging Visual Arts and Music through Cross-Modal Generation
Authors: Ivan Rinaldi, Nicola Fanelli, Giovanna Castellano, Gennaro Vessio
Published in: AI4VA Workshop at ECCV 2024Summary: Art2Mus generates music from complex digitized artworks or text, overcoming the limitations of current image-to-music models that are restricted to simple images. This innovation opens up new possibilities for multimedia art, interactive installations, and AI-powered creative tools.
RoWeeder: Unsupervised Weed Mapping through Crop-Row Detection
Authors: Pasquale De Marinis, Gennaro Vessio, Giovanna Castellano
Published in: CVPPA Workshop at ECCV 2024Summary: RoWeeder is an unsupervised framework for weed mapping in precision agriculture, using crop-row detection to train a deep learning model that distinguishes crops from weeds. It enables real-time, drone-based weed management across large fields.
