I am an Academy Research Fellow at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. I am currently establishing my research group Movement and imaging for muscle and tendon porperties (MOVIE). My research focuses on advanced musculoskeletal imaging, integrating 3D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to investigate muscle-tendon function and the interplay between active and passive forces in neurological disorders, in close association with clinical gait analysis.
Originally from Rimini, Italy, I hold a PhD in biomechanics from KU Leuven (2018) and have an international research background spanning multiple European countries, including Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden. Trained in biomedical engineering and movement analysis, I have extensive experience in European and national grant writing, including MSCA and ERC proposals. He currently serves as secretary of ESMAC.
My research interests
My background is in biomechanics, musculoskeletal imaging, and neuromechanics. I have a comprehensive interest in the human movement system, from sarcomere to whole-body. My research focuses on how structural and mechanical muscle-tendon properties interact with neural control to determine force production and functional performance.
In recent years, my work has centered on muscular adaptations in neuromuscular disorders, particularly cerebral palsy (CP). I investigate how active and passive force components interact, how muscle-tendon remodeling affects movement, and how multiscale imaging can reveal mechanisms underlying impaired motor function. I currently lead the Movement and imaging for muscle and tendon porperties (MOVIE) Lab, where we study the structure–function interplay of healthy and diseased human muscle using imaging, biomechanics, and computational modeling approaches.
My methods
I have strong expertise in musculoskeletal imaging and experimental biomechanics.
MRI, magnetic resonance imaging (structural and quantitative) | 3D ultrasonography | imaging–tracking fusion | | 3D motion capture and gait analysis | ultrasound-based muscle–tendon length tracking | electromyography |
I am also deepening my knowledge in: microendoscopy (in-vivo sarcomere imaging) | HD-EMG | peripheral electrical stimulation | musculoskeletal modeling |
