🎤 I had the pleasure of giving two talks at the European Control Conference (ECC 2025) in Thessaloniki this week!

1️⃣ "Controlled Multipliers Optimization: A Feedback Control Approach to Constrained Optimization" — presented during the Tutorial Session on Control-Theoretic Approaches to the Analysis and Design of Optimization Algorithms, where we explored recent advances in the application of control theory to develop novel optimization algorithms.

2️⃣ "Direct Data-Driven Controller Design from Bounded Errors-In-Variables Measurements" —  The work focuses on direct data-driven controller design using input-output measurements corrupted by bounded additive noise. The primary objective is to address the data-driven model reference control problem by utilizing a set-membership framework. Moreover, we provide a data-driven condition that is sufficient for establishing stability.

Grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such an inspiring event and to connect with colleagues!

On Friday, May 16th, I successfully defended my PhD thesis:
“Optimization Methods for Dynamical Systems Learning.”

My research developed new algorithms for constrained optimization using a control-theoretic approach. These are then applied to the system identification problem to avoid the vanishing gradient issue.

Throughout these three years, I’ve learned far more than I ever imagined, not only about control, optimization, and learning but also about scientific rigor and the importance of clear presentation and writing. I’ve also learned to approach challenges with curiosity and resilience and to see setbacks as opportunities for growth.

Heartfelt thanks to my amazing supervisors, Diego Regruto and Sophie M. Fosson. This achievement would not have been possible without their guidance. Thanks to my friends and colleagues at Laboratory #11 – DAUIN for creating such a nice work environment. Special thanks to my partner Jennifer Fera and my family, whose support helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance.

I also want to thank my defense committee, Carlo Novara, Emiliano Dall'Anese, Daniele Astolfi, Andrea Calimera, and Antonello Giannitrapani, for their truly inspiring comments.

🚀 Thrilled to announce our latest publication in the IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control

“A New Framework for Constrained Optimization via Feedback Control of Lagrange Multipliers”

🔗 Available on IEEE Xplore 

🔗 Open access on ArXiv

This paper introduces a novel approach to solving constrained optimization problems by dynamically regulating the Lagrange multipliers. The proposed framework enables the development of new optimization algorithms using feedback controller design: any controller corresponds to a new algorithm. In the paper, we explore proportional-integral and feedback linearization to develop two new algorithms, and we analyze their properties.

📖 This research constitutes the core part of my PhD thesis work. I’m excited to build on these results and can’t wait to explore future developments at the intersection of control theory and optimization! 

🙌 Heartfelt thanks to my co-authors and supervisors, Vito Cerone, Sophie M. Fosson, and Diego Regruto. Your guidance, expertise, and continuous support were essential in shaping this research.