Francesco was born in Rome, Italy, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and his master’s degree in Nanotechnology Engineering at La Sapienza University of Rome. He then moved to New York to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics and Material Science at NYU, with a focus on graphene and advanced materials. With a proven track record in designing and executing successful Research and Development (R&D) projects, Francesco also developed a strong leadership and management experience within academic and non-profit institutions, and student organizations.