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Teaching approach · Supervision and mentorship · Teaching experience · Guest lectures · Workshops, Seminars, and online taching

Teaching approach

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• Materials and technological knowledge grounded in application. I teach property–structure–processing relationships through real selection problems, so that students learn not only how materials behave, but how to choose and use them responsibly in a design or engineering context.
• Practice-based and student-centered. Hands-on project work, prototyping, and iterative experimental testing are the active vehicle for learning and engagement.
• Design and engineering, in both directions. I bring engineering rigor into design education, and design thinking into engineering education.
• Open and accessible by default. Open knowledge, shared experiential learning resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration are standard practice in how I build and deliver teaching materials.
  

Supervision and mentorship

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I have co-supervised 13 M.Sc. theses on sustainable materials, additive manufacturing, and circular design applications: 9 in Design & Engineering, 3 in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, and 1 in Dentistry and Dental Implantology.

Beyond formal supervision, I have mentored more than 60 students at Politecnico di Milano and Western University, from B.Sc. to Ph.D. level, including internship, work-study, and Co-op placements. Mentorship here refers to day-to-day guidance on experimental work, research methods, and scientific writing within the research group, as well as guidance on career path and goals.

M.Sc. theses in Design & Engineering (Politecnico di Milano)

1. G. Riccardi. Not A Waste Of Time: from leather scraps to fashion accessories using direct ink writing additive manufacturing. 2024.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani, L. Guida.
2. M. Paramatti. BAAM(M): Big Area Additive Manufacturing (Moka). Materials from spent coffee grounds used for large scale AM. 2024.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
3. J. Wang. Grow, Feel, Innovate. Unraveling the sensorial properties potential in material identity innovation: study of mycelium-based composites. 2023.
   Supervisor: V. Rognoli; Co-supervisors: A. Romani; Y. Mahmoudieh.
4. T. Frigerio. Strategies and materials to achieve circular economy systems through additive manufacturing processes. 2022.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
5. G. Donvito. Last Mile Additive Manufacturing: 3D printing processes for the design of an electric scooter. 2022.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
6. D. Teruzzi. ECDISI: Modular neck of electric music instruments manufactured through 3D printing processes. 2022.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
7. J.S. Barrera Cely. RePLAy: Design of an exhibition kit for fairs and temporary stores using Big Area Additive Manufacturing and circular economy principles. 2022.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
8. A. Zappalà. sBAAM: Simplify Big Area Additive Manufacturing — operating with complex surfaces for large format additive manufacturing systems. 2021.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
9. F. Mattiuzzo. IO: Multifunctional device for blind people for distance learning. 2020.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
   
   

M.Sc. theses in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology (Politecnico di Milano)

1. F. Giudici. Characterization and recycling of single-use face masks through large-format additive manufacturing for circular economy applications. 2024.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
2. L. Perusin. Evaluation of recycling and circularity of 3D printed polymers. 2022.
   Supervisor: M. Levi; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
3. A. Manzoni. Development of primers for PVD metallization of remanufactured composites. 2021.
   Supervisor: R. Suriano; Co-supervisor: A. Romani.
   
   

M.Sc. theses - Other Courses

1. L. Paternoster; Post-surgical oncological obturator prosthesis in patients with reduced oral opening: description of an innovative technique.. M.Sc. Dentistry and Dental Implantology, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 2021.
   Supervisor: G. Gastaldi; Co-supervisors: M. Levi, A. Romani.
   
   

Supervised Co-Op students (Western University)

• High-school students supervised through the Western Co-Op programme 1 , introduced to research fundamentals in sustainable materials, open hardware and open design, and distributed recycling for additive manufacturing, including supervision and formal administrative responsibility.

1. A.Y. 2025-2026: 4 students.
2. A.Y. 2024-2025: 4 students.

Teaching Experience

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Roles differ across the Italian and Canadian systems.

At Politecnico di Milano, Tutor and Teaching Assistant roles involved project review, grading, assessment design, and lecture delivery within a specific module. At Western University, Project client means defining the design brief and reviewing the concept proposals and prototypes for student teams, with evaluation at the final showcase.

A.Y. 2025-2026 (Western University)

• Foundations of Engineering Practice
  1st-year B.E.Sc. in Engineering degrees
  Prof: J. Reeves, S. Asantey.
  Project client for one project of the winter design studio.
  Topic: low-cost pelletizer for material recycling and additive manufacturing.
  
  

A.Y. 2024-2025 (Western University)

• Foundations of Engineering Practice
  1st-year B.E.Sc. in Engineering degrees
  Prof: A. Mawdsley, J. Reeves.
  Project client for two projects in the winter design studio.
  Topics: low-cost 3D printing enclosures; equipment for distributed recycling for additive manufacturing.
  
  

A.Y. 2023-2024 (Politecnico di Milano)

• Final Project Work (design studio)
  2nd-year M.Sc. in Design and Engineering
  Prof: G. Andreoni, M. Carboni, M. Levi, F. Mattioli, D. Tamborini, G. Wilhelm. Company: Midea.
  Teaching support, with contribution to the module "Materials for Design" (review, assignments, grading).
• Product Development Studio
  1st-year M.Sc. in Integrated Product Design
  Prof: M. Cavallaro, M. Melazzini, S. Petrò. Companies: Kinder Ferrero; HP 3D Printing division.
  Teaching assistant, with main contributions to the modules "Industrial Design" and "Material selection criteria and methods for product innovation" (review, assignments, selected lecture delivery, grading).
  
  

A.Y. 2022-2023 (Politecnico di Milano)

• Design Fundamentals (design studio)
  1st-year B.Sc. in Product Design
  Prof: L. Anselmi, C. Bruno, S. Pizzocaro, V. Rognoli.
  Teaching support, with main contribution to the module "Design Elements" (review, assignments, grading).
• Tutoring activities
  Ph.D. School in Design
  Prof: L. Rampino.
  Contribution to the review and refinement of the guidelines for the midterm assessments within the Ph.D. in Design.
  
  

A.Y. 2021-2022 (Politecnico di Milano)

• Materials and technologies for 3D bioprinting
  elective course, M.Sc. in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology; M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering
  Prof: M. Levi, S. Mantero.
  Teaching assistant, with contributions to the development of the course structure in its first edition (review, assignments, selected lecture delivery, grading).
• Materials for Design
  1st-year B.Sc. in Product Design
  Prof: M. Levi.
  Teaching assistant, with main contributions to the module "Applications of materials in design" (review).
• Final Project Work
  2nd-year M.Sc. in Design and Engineering
  Prof: G. Andreoni, M. Carboni, M. Levi, A. Perrone, G. Wilhelm, E. Zatti.
  Teaching assistant, with main contribution to the modules "Design Development" and "Materials for Design" (review, assignments, grading).
  
  

A.Y. 2020-2021 (Politecnico di Milano)

• Design and Technology Laboratory (project-based studio)
  3rd-year B.Sc. in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology
  Prof: M. Levi
  Teaching support, with main contribution to the module "Polymeric Materials and Design" (review).
• Final Project Work (design studio)
  2nd-year M.Sc. in Design and Engineering
  Prof: G. Andreoni, M. Carboni, M. Levi, A. Perrone, G. Wilhelm, E. Zatti. Company: Measy. Teaching assistant, with main contribution to the modules "Design Development" and "Materials for Design" (review, assignments, grading).
  
  

A.Y. 2019-2020 (Politecnico di Milano)

• Technologies and Properties of Bio-based composites
  Specializing Master ALBE "Green chemical technologies for the production of materials from biomasses"
  Prof: M. Levi.
  Teaching assistant, with contributions to the development of design seminars part of the course (review, assignments, selected lecture delivery).
• Final Project Work (design studio)
  2nd-year M.Sc. in Design and Engineering
  Prof: G. Andreoni, M. Carboni, M. Levi, A. Perrone, F. Trabucco, G. Wilhelm. Company: Midea.
  Teaching support, with main contribution to the module "Materials for Design" (review, assignments).

Guest Lectures

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More than 15 guest lectures and talks have been delivered since 2019 on materials, additive manufacturing, open design, and circular economy across design and engineering programs in Italy and Canada. I am available for guest lectures, seminars, and workshops, in person or online: please get in touch to discuss a topic and format.

A.Y. 2025-2026

• Foundations of Engineering Practice
  1st-year B.E.Sc. in Engineering degrees, Western University.
  Prof: J. Reeves.
  Title: "Intro to Solid Modelling" (two lectures).
• The Ethical Engineer
  4th-year B.E.Sc. in Engineering degrees, Western University.
  Prof: L. Lockington-Wong.
  Title: "Open Design and Engineering for Sustainability through Digital Fabrication" (three lectures).
  
  

A.Y. 2024-2025

• Foundations of Engineering Practice
  1st-year B.E.Sc. in Engineering degrees, Western University.
  Prof: A. Mawdsley, J. Reeves, K. McGuire.
  Title: "Open Design, sustainability, and 3D printing" (three lectures).
• Fine Art Studio
  3rd-year B.F.A. in Fine Art, Fanshawe College.
  Prof: P. Gurrey.
  Topic: "Digital fabrication and 3D printing as an expressive tool for arts" (speaker, on-site).
• Scientific Production
  2nd-year Ph.D. in Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: E. Lupo, M. Mortati.
  Topic: "Pursuing a Ph.D. in Design by publications" (one invited talk).
  
  

A.Y. 2023-2024

• Design for Environmental Sustainability
  3rd-year B.Sc. in Product Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: V. Rognoli.
  Title: "3D printing and materials for circular economy" (one lecture).
• Materials for Design
  1st-year B.Sc. in Product Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: M. Levi.
  Title: "3D Printing for Design" (one lecture).
• Sustainable and Circular Materials for Design
  Elective course, M.Sc. degrees in Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: L. Draghi, V. Rognoli.
  Title: "Design, materials, and 3D printing for circular economy" (one lecture).
• Scientific Production
  2nd-year Ph.D. in Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: E. Lupo, M. Mortati.
  Topic: "Pursuing a Ph.D. in Design by publications" (one invited talk).
  
  

A.Y. 2022-2023

• Design for Environmental Sustainability
  3rd-year B.Sc. in Product Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: V. Rognoli.
  Title: "3D printing and materials for circular economy" (one lecture).
  
  

A.Y. 2021-2022

• Design for Environmental Sustainability
  3rd-year B.Sc. in Product Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: V. Rognoli.
  Title: "3D printing and materials for circular economy" (one lecture).
  
  

A.Y. 2019-2020

• Advanced Organic Coatings
  Elective course, M.Sc. in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: R. Suriano.
  Title: "Organic coatings and design applications" (one lecture).

Workshops, Seminars, and online taching

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Beyond formal courses, I design and deliver hands-on workshops and seminars connecting materials, recycling, and digital fabrication to research practice, often built around laboratory activities and developed with host institutions in Italy and Canada. This also includes open online teaching, freely accessible beyond the university.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)

• A.Y. 2024-2025 · Materials design for transitions: toward regenerative ecologies
  MOOC part of the POK series (Polimi Open Knowledge), Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: V. Rognoli. First online: January 2025.
  Title: "Materials from waste and 3D Printing" (two open lectures).
  
  

Workshops and seminars

• A.Y. 2025-2026 · "Emerging Visions: A Mixed-Reality Workshop with the Pollinator Garden"
  Master of Library & Information Science, Western University.
  Prof: S. Cornwell.
  Co-organization of activities, lecture delivery.
• A.Y. 2023-2024 · "Recycling Polypropylene from personal protective equipment"
  B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: M. Levi.
  Organization of activities, lecture delivery.
• A.Y. 2023-2024 · "Recycling Polypropylene from personal protective equipment"
  B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Salerno.
  Prof: L. Incarnato.
  Organization of activities, lecture delivery.
• A.Y. 2023-2024 · "Recycling Polypropylene from personal protective equipment"
  B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, University of Palermo.
  Prof: N.T. Dintcheva.
  Organization of activities, lecture delivery.
• A.Y. 2021-2022 · "Data Ethics"
  Ph.D. program in Design, Politecnico di Milano.
  Prof: L. Rampino, S. Sponziello (lecturer).
  Organization and review of the teaching material for lecture delivery.