Antonio Squicciarini
About Me
My History
Hello! I’m Antonio Squicciarini, a PhD candidate in Engineering with a growing passion for machine learning and data-driven technologies.
I was born in the beautiful town of Matera, in southern Italy, where I completed my early education at Liceo Scientifico Dante Alighieri. I then moved to northern Italy to study at the Politecnico di Torino, where I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering.
During the final year of my Master’s, I had the opportunity to study abroad at E.T.S.I. Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). While developing my thesis on fault detection in rotating machinery, I was introduced to machine learning and deep learning—an experience that sparked a growing interest in data science.
After graduation, I joined UPM as a postgraduate researcher, where I focused on deep learning theory and its application to fault classification. My work involved the detection of partial discharges in AC and DC electrical grids. This research experience laid the groundwork for my current PhD project, which sits at the intersection of information theory, signal processing, and machine learning. My work aims to design novel entropic and information divergences to improve both feature extraction and optimization techniques, with applications in time series anomaly detection. I also address fundamental challenges such as class imbalance and label noise in supervised classification settings.
In 2024, I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at Cornell Tech in Manhattan, joining the S.A.B.Lab, a research group focused on medical image analysis and deep learning theory. This international experience broadened my research perspective and deepened my commitment to contributing meaningfully to the field of machine learning.
Now entering the final phase of my PhD, I am excited to take on new challenges and explore future opportunities in both research and applied domains.
Language Skills
Over the years, I’ve developed strong communication skills in multiple languages. My mother tongue is Italian 🇮🇹, and I’m fluent in English 🇬🇧 and Spanish 🇪🇸—having spent recent years working in Spain, where Spanish was the main language in daily life, while English remained predominant in scientific publications, professional events, and during my semester abroad in New York City 🇺🇸. Currently, I’m also learning French 🇫🇷, though I’m still at the beginning stage.
Computer and Technical Skills
My main programming language is Python, which I use extensively for data analysis, deep learning, and research prototyping. I also have solid experience with MATLAB, developed during various engineering projects throughout my bachelor’s and master’s studies, where I also learned C programming.
In terms of engineering software, I have completed projects using SolidWorks, Automation Studio, NX Siemens, FlexSim, and Ansys Mechanical. For documentation and academic writing, I frequently use LaTeX. My workflow often involves tools such as Jupyter Notebooks, GitHub, and Google Cloud Platform.
Interests and Hobbies
Beyond research, I enjoy staying active—particularly through hiking 🥾 and regular workouts at the gym 💪. I am passionate about language learning 🗣️. I also enjoy listening to podcasts 🎧, especially those that cover public policy and the latest scientific discoveries 🔬. Reading 📚 and traveling 🌍 are long-standing personal passions that keep me curious and open to new ideas.
A Few More Things About Me
Teamwork and leadership have always played an important role in my personal development. I was an active member of the CNGEI Scout Group in Matera during high school, and served as my school’s student representative for two consecutive years.
During my bachelor’s studies, I was part of the PoliTo Sailing Team, a student-led group focused on designing competitive sailboats. I belonged to the dynamics subgroup, working on performance prediction models based on aerodynamic data from the design team.
In 2018, I participated at Explorer Module of the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (SEI), supported by Fondazione Agnelli. I also participated in the “Percorso per Giovani Talenti”, a program for top-performing students at Politecnico di Torino between 2015 and 2018.