Researchers

Giovanni D’Errico holds a Ph.D. with honors in Metrology from Politecnico di Torino (2025) and a cum laude degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Salento. He is currently a research fellow at AVRLab, where he investigates biosignal-based adaptivity in eXtended Reality (XR) systems. His research integrates metrology, physiological computing, and immersive technologies to study, assess, and regulate mental states in real time. His interests include the metrological validation of XR systems, bioadaptive interfaces, and immersive applications in clinical, educational, and cognitive domains. In previous research, he explored virtual and augmented reality applications and gamification in the context of smart cities, cultural heritage smart fruition, and neurocognitive rehabilitation.

Carola Gatto is Assistant Professor (RTD-A) in Classical Archaeology at the Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Salento, and a researcher at the Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory (AVR Lab). She holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Heritage Sciences from the University of Salento. Her research interests focus on archaeological data representation, digital curation in museums, augmented and virtual reality for cultural heritage, and the relationship between museums and well-being. She is the author of several scientific publications. She is a member of the Italian ICOM Working Group “Multimedia and Emerging Technologies” and currently coordinates the Young Researchers Group at the Digital Humanities Centre of the University of Salento.

Mattia Ciurlia is a graduate student in Biomedical Engineering. He has conducted research on the use of augmented reality to support prostate surgery, with a particular focus on the integration of 3D models and clinical information into the surgical workflow. His current research interests concern extended reality (XR) environments to support medicine and immersive solutions for medical training, with a focus on simulation, preoperative planning, and interactive training for healthcare professionals.

Laura Corchia holds a PhD in Sciences of Cultural Heritage from the University of Salento, where she is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Engineering for Innovation. Her research focuses on 3D modeling, virtual restoration, and the application of Extended Reality (XR) technologies to cultural heritage. She has contributed to several national and international projects in the field of digital heritage and virtual museums, combining technological innovation with humanistic approaches. Her current work investigates how XR can foster accessibility, education, and public engagement with cultural heritage.

Giorgia De Giuseppe, after earning a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Heritage, graduated with a master’s degree in Digital Humanities at the University of Salento in a.y. 2023/2024. 

She is now a researcher at AVR Lab (Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory) of the Department of Engineering for Innovation of University of Salento. Her current research interests include the development of Virtual Restoration techniques, the use of immersive technologies for the study and dissemination of cultural heritage and the exploration of new tools and methodologies to enhance immersive technology applications in this field.

Leonardo Matteo Dinoi is a Research Fellow at the AVR Lab (Augmented & Virtual Reality Laboratory) in the Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, and a PhD candidate in Technologies for Health and Well-Being at the Universitat Politècnica de València (in co-tutelle with the University of Salento). His work spans Virtual Human modeling and control, eXtended Reality (XR), and bio-adaptive interfaces, with applications in healthcare and education. He earned a BSc in Information Engineering and an MSc in Computer Engineering – AI (University of Salento); his master’s thesis developed a stress-adaptive Virtual Human for autism, laying the groundwork for his current research.

Ileana Riera Panaro, after a bachelor’s degree in Arts and Cultural Events at IULM University, graduated with a master's degree in European Heritage, Digital Media and the Information Society at the University of Salento in a.y. 2020/2021.

She is now a researcher at AVR Lab (Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory) of the Department of Engineering for Innovation of University of Salento.

Her current research interests concern the development of Virtual Restoration techniques, Virtual and Augmented Reality applications and 3D modeling for the enhancement and the fruition of Cultural Heritage.

Rocco Rizzo is a research fellow at the AVR Lab (Augmented and Virtual Reality Laboratory) within the Department of Innovation Engineering at the University of Salento. He earned a Master's degree in Physics from the Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi" at the same university, with a thesis focused on applying machine learning to the medical field.

His research interests include artificial intelligence applied to medicine, with a particular focus on machine learning and deep learning for medical image analysis and diagnostic classification.