CIS Members

Complex Intelligent Systems is an interdisciplinary research group focused on solving large complex problems, and it is currently made up of 2 professors; 1 fixed-term assistant professor; 4 PhD students; 3 external collaborations; and several students between bachelor's degree and MSc.

The faculty members serve also as lecturers at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, for a several undergraduate and graduate courses in Computer Science, such as Artificial Intelligence; Heuristics & Metaheuristics for Optimization and Learning; Operating Systems; Randomized Algorithms, and Discrete Structures.

Staff Members

Prof. Vincenzo Cutello (Team Leader) Vincenzo Cutello is Full Professor in Computer Science at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. His research interests include algorithms, combinatorial optimization and evolutionary computation. Currently he is teaching Artificial Intelligence, Randomized Algorithms and Discrete Structures. Webpage: https://web.dmi.unict.it/faculty/vincenzo.cutello Email: cutello@unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

Prof. Mario F. Pavone (Team Leader) Mario F. Pavone is Associate Professor in Computer Science at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. His research interests include metaheuristics, optimization, complex networks, machine learning and computational biology. Currently he is teaching Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence; Heuristics and Metaheuristics for Optimization and Learning; and Operating Systems. Webpage: http://www.dmi.unict.it/mpavone/ Email: mpavone@dmi.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

Dr. Claudia Cavallaro Claudia Cavallaro is Fixed-term Assistant Professor (RTDa) in Computer Science at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. Her research interests include Metaheuristics, Optimization, Geo-localized Data Analysis, Big Data, Machine Learning and Anomaly Detection. Currently she is teaching Discrete Structures. Webpage: https://web.dmi.unict.it/faculty/claudia.cavallaro Email: claudia.cavallaro@unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

PhD. Students

Carolina Crespi Carolina Crespi is a PhD student (XXXVI cycle) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. She is graduated in Physics at the same University. Her research interests include Swarm Inteligence, Complex Adaptive Systems, Collective Behavior and Agent-Based Models. Webpage: https://www.dmi.unict.it/ccrespi/ Email: carolina.crespi@phd.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

Angelo Cavallaro Angelo Cavallaro is a PhD student (XXXVI cycle) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. He is graduated in Computer Engineering at the same University. His research interests include Evolutionary Computation, and Optimization. Webpage: n.a. Email: angelo.cavallaro@actwo.net google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

Francesco Zito Francesco Zito is a PhD student (XXXVII cycle) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. He is graduated cum laude in Computer Engineering at the same University. His research interests include Reverse Engineering, Machine Learning, Metaheuristics, Computational Biology and Optimization. Webpage: https://www.dmi.unict.it/zito/ Email: francesco.zito@phd.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

Alessio Mezzina Alessio Mezzina is a PhD student (XXXL cycle) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. He is graduated cum laude in Computer Science at the same University. His research interests include Real-Time Systems, Machine Learning, Metaheuristics, and Optimization. Webpage: tba Email: alessio.mezzina@phd.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link — orcid: Link

Formed PhD Students

Antonio G. Spampinato Antonio G. Spampinato obtained the PhD degree in Computer Science on 14 October 2021 at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Catania, Italy. PhD Thesis: Metaheuristic Optimization in Systems Biology. His research interests include Metaheuristics, Complex Networks, Genomics and Bioinformatics.

Georgia Fargetta Georgia Fargetta obtained her PhD degree in Computer Science on 13 March 2023 at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Catania, Italy. PhD Thesis: Variational inequality and metaheuristic approaches to model and investigate the agents’ strategies. Her research interests include Optimization, Game Theory, and Nash Equilibrium. Webpage: https://www.dmi.unict.it/fargetta/ Email: georgia.fargetta@phd.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link

Rocco A. Scollo Rocco A. Scollo obtained his PhD degree in Computer Science on 13 March 2023 at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Catania, Italy. PhD Thesis: A Hybrid Immune Algorithm to Extract Information from Complex Networks. His research interests include Immune-Inspired Algorithms, Community Detection, and Complex Networks. Webpage: https://www.dmi.unict.it/rascollo/ Email: rocco.scollo@phd.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link

External Collaborators

Dr. Giuseppe Morelli Giuseppe Morelli is PhD in Computer Science at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania, Italy. His research interests include Optimization, Mobile Computing and Evolutionary Computation. Webpage: https://giuseppemorelli.eu/ Email: morelli@dmi.unict.it google scholar: Link — scopus: Link

Antonino Di Stefano Antonino Di Stefano is graduated cum laude in Computer Engineering at University of Catania, Italy. Today he is member of the Advantages New Technologies research laboratory, and he is Co-Founder of SmartBug srl and Lead person for the Firmware Infrastructure for the SmartBug project. MSc Thesis: Clonal Selection Algorithms: how the age assignment to an artificial B cell affects its performances His research interests include Metaheuristics, Artificial Immune Systems, Optimization, and Complex Networks. Webpage: n.a. Email: ing.antoninodistefano@gmail.com google scholar: Link — scopus: Link

Alessandro Vitale Alessandro Vitale is graduated cum laude in Computer Engineering at University of Catania, Italy. Today he is member of the Advantages New Technologies research laboratory, and he is Co-Founder of SmartBug srl and in charge of Software Development and Cloud Service for the SmartBug project. MSc Thesis: Optimizing maturation of individuals for maximizing the Evolutionary Learning His research interests include Metaheuristics, Artificial Immune Systems, Optimization, and Complex Networks. Webpage: n.a. Email: ing.alevitale@gmail.com google scholar: Link — scopus: Link

Formed Students

Simone Basile Simone Basile is MSc in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc. Thesis: Using Machine Learning to Optimize the Search Process in an Evolutionary Algorithm His research interests include Metaheuristics and Combinatorial Optimization Problems.

Francesco Portoghese Francesco Portoghese is bachelor in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. Bachelor Thesis: An Overview on Automated Machine Learning His research interests include automated machine learning.

Emanuele Greco Emanuele Greco is bachelor in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. Bachelor Thesis: Design a population-based algorithm to infer the parameters of a Gene Regulatory Network on the S-system model: a first approach His research interests include Computational Biology.

Guido Bordonaro Guido Bordonaro is bachelor in Engineering Computer Science at the University of Catania. Currently he is a MSc student at the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy. Bachelor Thesis: An Intelligent Multi-Level Approach for Community Detection in Large Networks His research interests include Metaheuristics and Complex Networks.

Davide De Pasquale Davide De Pasquale is MSc graduate in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: Hybrid Metaheuristics for Electrical Vehicle Rourting Problem. His research interests include Combinatorial Optimization, and Algorithms.

Tobia Calenda Tobia Calenda is MSc graduate in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: How long does an artificial individual live and mature? A GA as a case study. His research interest include evolutionary computation.

Grigori Valenti Grigori Valenti is MSc graduate in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: Equitable Graph Coloring by Natural Computation and Integers Partitioning. His research interests include evolutionary computation and combinatorial optimization.

Damiano Cancemi Damiano Cancemi has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: A Hybrid Immune Algorithm for the Weighted Feedback Vertex Set. His research interests include evolutionary computation, immune-inspired algorithms and combinatorial optimization.

Alice Plebe Alice Plebe has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. She obtained the PhD degree in Computer Science at the University of Trento, Italy. Currently she is post-doc at the same University. MSc thesis: A Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for Interior Illumination Design. Her research interests include artificial intelligence, neural networks, and machine learning.

Gabriella Verga Gabriella Verga has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. She obtained the PhD degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania. Currently she is Adjunct Professor at the Deparment of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Catania. MSc thesis: Design and Analysis of an Immunological Algorithm for Distribution Problems.

Pietro Consoli Piero Consoli has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. He obtained the PhD degree in Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, UK. MSc thesis: Artificial Bee Colony for Graph Coloring Problem. His research interests include evolutionary computation and combinatorial optmization.

Alessio Collerà Alessio Collerà has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: An Ant System for Graph Coloring. His research interests include evolutionary computation and combinatorial optmization.

Adriano Strano Adriano Strano has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: Modelling Social Behaviour for Combinatorial Optimization. His research interests include evolutionary computation, parallel compting, and combinatorial optmization.

Gaetano Giuga Gaetano Giuga has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: Designing a Bio-Inspired Algorithm to Escape Local Optima. His research interest include evolutionary computation.

Davide Agostini Davide Agostini has MSc degree in Computer Science at the University of Catania, Italy. MSc thesis: Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks using S-system Model. His research interests include systems biology, metaheuristics, and optimization.