PhD Students

Marco Calò is an archaeologist specializing in Classical Archaeology. He earned a Bachelor's degree magna cum laude in Archaeological Heritage in 2017 and a Master's degree magna cum laude in Archaeology in 2019, both from the University of Salento. From 2020 to 2022, he attended the “Dinu Adamesteanu” School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage at the same university, obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Archaeology with top marks (70/70 with honors).

From 2022 to 2024, he worked as a freelance archaeologist (Category I) registered in the National Register of Cultural Heritage Professionals. He is currently a PhD student in the Italian National Doctoral Program in Heritage Science at Sapienza University of Rome. His current research focuses on the application of new technologies to the cultural heritage sector, aimed at studying and enhancing the archaeological heritage of the Salento region. He pays particular attention to the Hellenistic landscapes of Messapia, with the goal of developing innovative and immersive methods of cultural engagement.

Federica Faggiano is a PhD student in the Italian National Doctoral Program in Heritage Science at Sapienza Università di Roma. From 2022 to 2024, she was a research fellow at the AVR Lab within the Department of Engineering for Innovation at the University of Salento. In 2021, she graduated magna cum laude with a Master’s degree in European Heritage, Digital Media, and the Information Society from the University of Salento. Previously, in 2019, she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Technologies for Cultural Heritage from the same university.

Her current research interests lie in Digital Humanities, with a particular focus on the enhancement and accessible fruition of cultural heritage through technology, and a special emphasis on the digital curatorship of archaeological contexts.

Giulia Pellegrino received her Master's Degree in Computer Engineering at the University of Salento with a grade of 110/110.

In her thesis work she combined optimal control techniques with Virtual Reality applied to neuro-rehabilitation therapies; it was carried out in collaboration with AVR Lab.

Her current research interests are oriented to the development of XR applications for surgical training and Digital Twin for Health.