My research interests focus on the experimental investigation of nuclear reactions that occur in stars and govern their lifetimes and evolution. I am interested in exploring the processes that account for the synthesis of the chemical elements both in quiescent stars like our sun and in explosive scenarios such as novae, supernovae and X-ray bursts.

I have been spokesperson of experiments at international radioactive ion beam facilities, such as TRIUMF (Canada), GANIL (France), and CERN (Switzerland). In 2010, I joined the LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) Collaboration, for the study of low-energy nuclear reactions with stable nuclei. LUNA in currently the only underground facility in the world for this type of studies.

I have over fifteen years of teaching experience both at undergraduate and post-graduate level and have been invited to give plenary talks and lectures at several international conferences and summer schools. Over the years, I have taken on roles of increased responsibility within the School, at College level, and at University level. I served on the University Court as an Elected Senate Assessor from 2008 to 2017 and as a  member of Court’s Finance and General Purpose Committee from 2010 to 2017. For further admin roles and responsibility, please have a look here.

Finally, I am a keen mentor and offer support to PhD students, post-doctoral fellows and early career academics. To find out more about these activities, visit my blog “Academic Life”.