People

Dr. Claudia Lamanna is a Research Fellow at the University of Bologna.

She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture and a postgraduate diploma in Architectural and Landscape Heritage, both from the Polytechnic University of Bari. In 2023, she completed her PhD in Christian and Medieval Archaeology at the University of Bologna, Department of Cultural Heritage. Her doctoral research focused on public thermal bath complexes in Late Antique Greece, a study that will be published in the coming months.

Her research centers on public architecture in the Roman and Late Antique periods, with particular attention to civic and religious buildings and to the diachronic development of urban contexts in Italy and Greece.

She has worked on numerous archaeological sites in Italy, Greece, and Tunisia, combining archaeological research with architectural drawing of structural remains—both in situ and as excavated fragments—often used to develop digital building reconstructions. Her main field of interest concerns the history and restoration of ancient architecture. She is currently involved in research projects on thermal complexes and ecclesiastical architecture in Italy and the Hellenic Islands, as well as at a site in Tunisia.

Dr. Isabella Baldini has been Professor in Early Christian and Medieval Archaeology at DISCI, UNIBO, since 2018. She also currently serves as President of the Specialization school in Archaeological Heritage at UNIBO since 2025. Renowned for her significant contributions to scientific advancements in understanding Late Antique and Byzantine architecture, as well as Late Antique houses and town planning, Dr. Baldini has an outstanding track record in high-quality research on the monumental and decorative development of Late Antique and Byzantine cities, with direct relevance to this research topic. She holds positions on the editorial boards of significant scientific journals in Early Christian and Medieval Archaeology such as Estudios Bizantinos, Thiasos, and Rivista Internazionale di Studi Tardoantichi. Additionally, she is president of the scientific committee for the Humanities section of the Bologna University Press Foundation (BUP), a UNIBO associate publisher.

As the director of archaeological missions in Sicily, specifically in Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG) and Piazza Armerina (EN), and in Greece, in Mitropolis (Crete), Dr. Baldini not only oversees excavations but also studies the area’s topography and social aspects, with highly specialized research groups under her coordination. In Piazza Armerina, she organizes and directs an International Summer School (ARCHLABS) for archaeology students funded by the Erasmus Plus BIP “Blended Intensive Program”.

Engaged in various national and international research projects, Dr. Baldini collaborates with several European Institutes and serves as Director of the ‘Centre for Studies on Late Antique Housing in the Mediterranean’ (CISEM). She has authored numerous publications and received prestigious awards and recognition from institutions such as Accademia dei Lincei, Dumbarton Oaks, and the Onassis Foundation. She secured funding for the BYZART - Byzantine Art and Archaeology Thematic Channel project and co-won the Gerda Henkel Foundation research grant.

Dr. Baldini is actively involved in training early-stage researchers from Italy, Greece, Hungary and France at national and international levels. She regularly supervises students during short research visits to Bologna. Additionally, she coordinates internationalization activities and the ERASMUS+ program for her department.

In 2017, she secured funding through the grant CEF-TC-2016-3 Connecting Europe Facility 2014-2020 for the BYZART project, a thematic channel dedicated to Byzantine Art and Archaeology. In this project, she assumed the role of coordinator. Additionally, she shares the title of co-winner of the Gerda Henkel Foundation research grant in 2020.

Dr. Davide Tanasi is Professor in the Department of History and is also affiliated with the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. He specializes in the archaeology of ancient Sicily and Malta, demonstrating a keen interest in utilizing scientific methodologies and digital techniques. These approaches are employed for the comprehensive documentation, characterization, interpretation, and widespread dissemination of archaeological and historical artifacts. Notably, he is a recognized authority in the realms of popular science and public archaeology.

Furthermore, he is the visionary Founder and Scientific Director of the Institute for Digital Exploration (IDEx), a pioneering digital archaeology laboratory based within the University of South Florida's Department of History. This institution is dedicated to research-focused endeavors and innovative methodologies.

Dr. Tanasi is Principal Investigator of the remote sensing project HADES (Heloros Advanced Digital Exploration and Surveying) focusing on the ancient Greek city of Heloros in Sicily. He is also Co-Principal Investigator and Senior Partner in the distinguished ‘Melite Civitas Romana project’. This initiative, operating internationally through collaborative efforts, centers on the archaeological excavation of the Roman domus located in Rabat, Malta.

Additionally, he serves as the Scientific Director and Coordinator of the ‘Mediterranean Diet Archaeology Project’, which is housed at the University of South Florida's Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment.

Qualified in the field of Building Physics and Energy Systems and author of over 200 research papers, Dr. Nocera has engaged in various research projects, both experimental and numerical as well as analytical. His main areas of interest include basic thermodynamics, thermo-fluid dynamics, heat transmission, lighting, acoustics, rational energy use, utilization of renewable energy sources, building energy analysis, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), urban heat island (UHI) effects, and HVAC systems.

Scientific Supervisor for the Computer Laboratory at Special Didactic Structures of Architecture Siracusa [2010-]. Scientific Supervisor for the Energetic Sustainability and Environmental Control (SECA) Laboratory at Special Didactic Structures of Architecture [2020-].

Rector's Delegate for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) [17-05-2018; 02-07-2019]. Member of the Quality Management Board of the Architecture Degree Course at the University of Catania [2018-2019]. Member of the Joint Committee of the DICAR Department at the University of Catania [2020-]. Secretary of the Special Didactic Structure of Architecture at the University of Catania [2020-2021].

Visiting Professor: University of Valladolid [2020], University of CEU of Madrid [2020]. Key analysis expert for the European Poly-technical University (Bulgaria), honorary member of the Italian National Association for Thermal and Acoustic Insulation (ANIT). Received the Best Research Paper Award at the KES-SEB (2014) conference, and serves as a member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal Sustainability; Buildings, Energies, Standards, Journal of Daylighting, and Highlights of Sustainability.

Project ERANETMED2-72-041, HEWS-RBE "Hybrid renewable energy and water storage systems for the rural built environment in coastal zones," Scientific Responsible. Cost Action "The Environmental-Societal Deal: Integrated Assessments in Energy Policies," code OC-2019-1-23741, U.O. Scientific Responsible. PON Research and Competitiveness 2007-2013 - BIO4BIO - "Biomolecular and Energy Enhancement of residual biomass in the Agro-industrial and Fish sector," PON02_00451_3362376, U.O. Scientific Responsible. FCCS PO FESR Sicily 2007/2013 intervention line 4.1.1.1 "Solar Collectors Continuous Facades," CUP G25C13000530007, U.O. Scientific Responsible. PRIN-PNRR, FUD-OF-SITHY - Favoring Urban Development of Sustainable Agriculture Through Hydroponics, U.O. Scientific Responsible.

Dr. Costanzo is Professor of Building Physics at the University of Catania (Italy). His primary research focuses on building energy efficiency, building performance simulation, thermal and visual comfort, renewable energy production, and daylighting. After a visiting period at the Centre of Building Performance Research at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) under the guidance of Dr. Michael Donn, he participated in international research projects such as “REELCOOP” (Renewable Electricity Cooperation, funded by FP7) and “LoHCool” (Low Heating and Cooling of Buildings, funded by EPSRC/NSFC) during his tenure as a Research Associate at the University of Reading (UK), supervised by Dr. Runming Yao. A Visiting Lecturer at the University of Chongqing (China), he is a member of various research groups on both national and international levels, including IEA Task 59 "Renovating Historic Buildings Towards Zero Energy," H2020 "e-SAFE" project (energy and seismic affordable renovation solutions), Project of Relevant National Interest "URBEM" (Urban Reference Buildings for Energy Modelling), and "FUD-OF-SITHY" (Favor the Urban Development of Sustainable Agriculture Through Hydroponics). Through numerous international experiences, he has enhanced his research skills, engaging in multidisciplinary research and disseminating findings through scholarly journals, an edited book, a monograph covering the subjects of his PhD dissertation, and numerous presentations at international conferences (H-index of 21).