My scientific interests, with a short description of my contributions to related research projects are the following:
Table of Contents
Seismology focused on extraterrestrial activity. Comparative analysis of Earth, Mars, Moon
Seismology offers the most direct and powerful means of probing the internal structure of a planetary body. While more than a century of terrestrial seismology has shaped our understanding of Earth’s deep interior, space missions such as Apollo (Moon) and InSight (Mars) have extended this exploration beyond our planet. My research is grounded in comparative planetary seismology, using seismic data to study and contrast the internal structures and geodynamic processes of the Earth, the Moon, and Mars. By analysing the seismic signatures of bodies with different tectonic regimes — from Earth’s active plate tectonics to Mars’ stagnant lid — we can reconstruct each planet’s thermal and geodynamic history. These comparisons not only refine our models of Earth’s evolution but also illuminate the broader conditions necessary for a planet to remain geologically active and potentially habitable. Understanding the diversity of planetary interiors is therefore a key step toward addressing fundamental questions about the formation, evolution, and life-hosting potential of rocky planets.
Inversion of meteors as seismic sources.
Meteor events offer a unique opportunity to study seismic wave generation through atmospheric and surface coupling. When meteoroids enter a planetary atmosphere, they create shock waves that can transform into acoustic waves in the air and seismic waves in the ground. My research focuses on modelling these processes and inverting the resulting seismic signals to better understand the source characteristics of meteor events. By treating meteors as line sources in the atmosphere and using waveform modeling and inversion techniques, we can extract valuable information about both the atmospheric interaction and the seismic response of the planet. This approach is particularly relevant for planetary missions like InSight on Mars, where such natural events can serve as passive probes of the interior structure.
Planetary crust exploration through investigation of the seismic attenuation
Seismic attenuation offers a powerful lens through which to investigate the structure and properties of a planet’s crust. My research focuses on understanding how seismic energy dissipates as it travels through the shallow layers of planetary interiors, with a particular emphasis on Mars. By analysing the decay of seismic waveforms — especially in their high-frequency content — we can infer the presence, depth, and variability of scattering structures within the crust and uppermost mantle. Using models of wave scattering and energy diffusion, I aim to map how heterogeneity and attenuation vary near the surface, offering insight into the geological processes that shaped a planet’s lithosphere. This approach is especially valuable for single-station missions like InSight, where local crustal properties significantly influence observed seismic signals.
Investigation of upper mantle seismic anisotropy
Seismic anisotropy, the directional dependence of wave velocity, is a key indicator of deformation and flow patterns in Earth’s mantle. However, many tomographic models assume isotropy, which can obscure important structural features, especially at higher spatial resolutions. My research focuses on resolving the anisotropic structure of the upper mantle — down to approximately 500 km depth — through full-waveform inversion techniques. Using advanced numerical tools such as SPECFEM3D and AxiSEM, I contribute to the construction of high-resolution, 3D anisotropic models in geodynamically complex regions like the Tyrrhenian Sea. This approach allows us to integrate teleseismic data recorded within dense regional networks while accurately modelling the effects of Earth’s curvature and wavefield complexity. By accounting for anisotropy, we aim to refine our understanding of mantle dynamics and subduction-related processes.
Forward seismic modeling using normal mode summation and spectral element method
Accurately modeling seismic wave propagation is essential for interpreting seismic data, especially in complex environments such as those involving atmospheric–solid Earth coupling. My research explores forward seismic modeling using both normal mode summation and spectral element methods to simulate waveforms generated by natural and anthropogenic sources. Normal mode theory provides an efficient way to model global and atmospheric coupling effects, such as Rayleigh waves excited by meteor airbursts, volcanic explosions, or atmospheric pressure variations — phenomena observed on Earth and expected on planets like Mars and Venus. In parallel, I use the spectral element method (SPECFEM3D) to perform full-waveform simulations that account for realistic 3D structures, including topography, anisotropy, and crustal complexity. This dual approach allows me to study a broad range of seismic phenomena across planetary bodies, bridging global-scale processes with local seismic observations and enhancing our understanding of how seismic waves interact with planetary atmospheres and interiors.
Hybrid seismic modeling in global and regional scale for box tomography
To bridge the gap between global-scale wave propagation and high-resolution regional imaging, my research focuses on hybrid seismic modeling techniques applied to box tomography. This approach combines global 1D simulations using AxiSEM with detailed 3D regional simulations via SPECFEM3D, enabling the integration of teleseismic wavefields into localized seismic studies. A key innovation lies in transforming Cartesian regional meshes into geometries that approximate Earth’s curvature, allowing accurate forward modeling over wider regions than traditionally possible. This hybrid framework supports the development of high-resolution seismic models in tectonically complex areas, such as subduction zones, by leveraging both global and local datasets. It represents a major step forward in computational seismology, enhancing the precision and scope of full-waveform tomography across scales.
Experimental and modeling investigation of Newtonian noise.
Newtonian Noise (NN) — gravitational perturbations induced by density fluctuations in the surrounding environment — poses a significant challenge for next-generation gravitational wave detectors such as the Einstein Telescope. My research addresses this issue by combining experimental and modeling approaches to understand, simulate, and ultimately subtract NN from seismic data. This involves coupling elastodynamic modeling (e.g., via SALVUS) with gravitational calculations, and developing machine learning methods, such as convolutional neural networks or variational autoencoders, to predict and remove NN effects. Working closely with experimental setups like the E-TEST prototype, I aim to validate these models under controlled conditions using artificial vibrating sources. This interdisciplinary effort bridges seismology, geophysics, and gravitational physics to improve the sensitivity of gravitational wave detectors by mitigating environmental noise at its source.
Laboratory measurements of elastic properties of soils
Understanding the mechanical behavior of planetary surface materials is essential for interpreting geophysical data and designing space missions. My research involves laboratory testing of regolith simulants and terrestrial soils to investigate their elastic and shear properties under varying stress conditions. By performing controlled experiments — including oedometer, direct shear, and triaxial tests — I aim to characterize how factors such as confining pressure, density, and grain composition influence seismic wave propagation and soil deformation. This work is particularly relevant for missions like NASA’s InSight, where instruments directly interact with planetary surfaces. Laboratory data provide critical ground truth for interpreting in situ seismic and thermal observations, and help constrain the physical properties of regolith in extraterrestrial environments.