I was born and raised in Ariano Irpino, a small hill town in Southern Italy. Growing up there meant being surrounded by centuries of tradition, narrow cobblestone streets, and a close-knit community where (almost) everyone knew each other. Those early years shaped my values and gave me a strong sense of belonging, even as I started dreaming of opportunities beyond my hometown.
My interest in computers began in high school, when I first had the chance to sit in front of a personal computer in my high school computer lab, and purchase my very own first computer, and Olivetti PCS 286. At the time, a 12 MHz processor and a 40 MB hard drive seemed like cutting-edge technology, and I was fascinated by the idea that I could teach the machine to follow instructions I had written myself. What started as simple experiments soon grew into late nights of self-taught programming—fueling a passion that would guide the rest of my journey.
After finishing high school, I moved to Naples to study at the University of Naples Federico II, one of the oldest universities in the world. There, I earned both my M.S. in Computer Science and Engineering (2002) and my Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering (2005). During my doctoral studies, I had the chance to visit the University of Maryland, College Park multiple times. Those experiences opened my eyes to a world of possibilities beyond my home country, showing me what an international academic career could look like and inspiring me to pursue opportunities abroad.
In 2006, I moved to the United States to begin a postdoctoral position at the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS). It was an exciting new chapter—my first full-time research role abroad. At Maryland, I worked on large-scale information extraction and activity detection, designing systems capable of processing millions of documents and analyzing complex video data. Beyond the research itself, the experience gave me a deeper appreciation for the scale and impact of collaborative projects in the U.S., further reinforcing my decision to build an academic career here.
In 2011, I joined George Mason University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology. At Mason, I had the opportunity to build my own research group, mentor students, and expand my work in cyber security. Over the years, I progressed through the academic ranks, eventually earning tenure and, later, promotion to full professor. Mason has been the place where my passion for research, teaching, and innovation has truly flourished.
