Modeling and engineering risk and complexity (MERC)
From epidemic phenomena and climate and environmental change to earthquake engineering and Industry 4.0, all of Humanity’s crucial challenges require the ability to develop new theoretical tools and methodologies to understand and engineer increasingly large and interdependent complex and interconnected systems. This doctoral program targets young and ambitious scientists and engineers who want to work on these open problems with high impact in society in a highly interdisciplinary and innovative way.
The main goal of the MERC PhD is to train superior researchers and practitioners to use a systems and interdisciplinary approach to the study and management of complex systems, the design and engineering of resilient systems, and the analysis and management of risks and cascading effects. To this end, the Ph.D. course in “Modeling and Controlling Risk and Complexity” offers a training course based on a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach hinging on systems and control theory, the study of complex systems, infrastructures and networks, reliability theory for modeling uncertainty, the analysis and management of risks arising from natural and anthropogenic phenomena on complex and interdependent systems and the study of their emergent properties and domino and cascading effects.
The main objective of the course is to develop new methodological approaches to the study of risk and complexity by establishing a virtuous circle between theory and applications. The program focuses on the integrated description and management of phenomena affecting complex systems and the risks to which they are exposed, in a variety of application domains through the use of methods for mathematical, stochastic, computational, and data-driven modeling, systems and control engineering strategies, and machine learning techniques.
Application areas of interest include (but are not limited to) civil engineering, automation and control engineering, mathematical engineering, product and process industry engineering, infrastructure and distribution networks, economics and finance, and natural and man-made hazard analysis.
- Stefano Boccaletti (CNR – Complex Systems Institute)
- Francesco Bullo (University of California Santa Barbara, U.S.A.)
- Tiziano de Angelis (University of Turin)
- Almerinda di Benedetto (University of Naples Federico II)
- Mario di Bernardo (University of Naples Federico II)
- Iunio Iervolino (University of Naples Federico II)
- Juergen Kurths (Humboldt Universitaet, Germany)
- Massimiliano Giorgio (University of Naples Federico II)
- Warner Marzocchi (University of Naples Federico II)
- Mirco Musolesi (University College London, U.K.)
- Maurizio Porfiri (New York University, U.S.A.)
- Costantinos Siettos (University of Naples Federico II)
- Michael Richardson (Macquarie University, Australia)
- Giovanni Russo (University of Salerno)
- Gianfranco Urciuoli (University of Naples Federico II)
- Aldo Zollo (University of Naples Federico II)
- Duration of doctorate: 4 years
- Scholarships: each year SSM puts up for competition 6 scholarships of 19,000 each for this doctorate. Each fellowship is supplemented by additional funds for research activities in Italy and abroad.
- Research Projects: During the 1st year of the course, students will be able to choose one among many proposed research projects and topics.
- Mark Courage
- Alessandro Della Pia
- Caio César Graciani Rodrigues
- Shyam Joshi
- Simone Mancini
- Dimitrios Patsatzis
- Joseph Petrillo
- Davide Salzano
36th cycle:
- Ayman bin Kamruddin
- Veronica Centorrino
- Gianluca Fabiani
- Domenico Giaquinto
- Gian Carlo Maffettone
37th cycle:
- Andrea Lama
- Flavia Ferriero
- Julio Ariel Dueñas Santana
- Antonio Grotta
- Ali Tawalo
- Hector Vargas Alvarez
- Salvatore Ferrara
- Karan Kabbur Hanumanthappa Manjunatha
- Kirill Kovalenko
- Peter Murialdo
- Antonio Piscopo
39th cycle:
- Ruben Blasco Aguado
- Angelo Di Porzio
- María Paula Díaz Monfort
- Wen-Li Du
- Italo Napolitano
- Annamaria Pane
- Rodolfo Petito Penna
- Tancredi Rino
- Francesca Rossi
You can view the MERC group’s updated list of publications (including articles in peer-reviewed journals, preprints, and proceedings of national and international conferences) using the link below.
MERC doctoral students will be able to take all doctoral-level courses offered by Southern High School. Each course will be organized by a member of the college but will also involve distinguished faculty from within and outside the school. Additional seminar activities and short courses will be organized and communicated through this website.
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block 4, academic year 2022-2023 – MERC timetable
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Networks beyond pairwise interactions (2022-23)
Stochastic differential equations and singular stochastic control (2022-23)
Introduction to reinforcement learning and data-driven control for complex systems (2022-23)
Nonlinear Methods for Analyzing Complex Behaviour in the Behavioral Sciences (2022-23)
Numerical Methods for Data Mining (2023-24)
Introduction to Complex Systems (2023-24)
Probability calculus and elements of stochastic modelling (2023-2024)
Introduction to Python for Machine Learning (2023-2024)
An Introduction to Learning and Data-Driven Methods (2023-2024)
Landslide hazard: from local assessment to national maps (2023-2024)
Fundamentals of Natural Hazard Forecasting (2023-2024)
Quantitative Risk Analysis (2023-2024)
Characterization of Crustal Models for Quantitative Ground Motion Estimation (2023-2024)
The following are examples of research projects from which MERC doctoral students can choose. The list is not exhaustive and more projects will be added.
Towards Trustable Biologically Plausible Neural Learning Optimization and Control.
Towards Multi-Agent Learning bridging the gap between RL control and complex systems
Towards Autonomous Agents That Learn, Control and Optimize Like People
Tow ards a paradigm shift in probabilistic seismic hazard analysi
The Iron pipeline/ Data driven detection of illegal guns in New York City.
The Human Exodus/ Predicting Human Migration due to Environmental Change.
The Bot in the Group: Steering Collective Behavior in Complex Human Networks.
Stochastic models for environmental investment decisions
Stochastic control of dynamical systems with constrained state – dynamics
Spatiotemporal control of complex microbial communities
Singular stochastic control models with applications/ from theory to applications and back
Robust and Resilient Complex Networks: Data-Driven Analysis and Optimal Design.
Multi – risk analysis of supply chain networks
Improvement of earthquake forecasting modeling and implications in terms of seismic hazard and risk
Hydrogeological and volcanic risks. Protection from catastrophic granular flows
Grounding Learning and Control onto the Free Energy Principle from Computational Neuroscience
Functional data for ground motion modelling
Engineering of airport operations risk analysis
Emergent energetic regulation in dynamic biological networks
Economic Complexity and Fitness for Cities and Start Up Companies.
Developing Explainable Models of Human Decision-Making in Team Contexts.
Data Driven Modelling, Numerical Analysis and Control of Epidemic Dynamics using Machine Learning
Causal relationships within the firearm ecosystem
AI – aided Risk Analysis in Chemical Industry
3D/4D seismic imaging of elastic/anelastic properties of complex geological media
Meetings with board members are meetings where faculty members explain their research activities and possible research projects.
– Seminars and workshops
– Demonstration sessions at the science fair Future Remote 2022
(For further information see the MERC Visitors Google Calendar)
- Nov 2023, Inmaculada Torres Castro, Professor at Departament of Mathematics at Universidad de Extremadura – Spain
- Nov 2023, Luciano Pietronero, Professor at Department of Physics, University of Rome “La Sapienza” – Italy
- Nov 2023, Stefano Boccaletti, Director of research at CNR – Institute of Complex Systems, Sesto Fiorentino – Italy
- Oct 2023, Jessica Dickey, award-winning performer and playwright & actor
- Oct 2023, Benoit Bardy, Professor at EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, Univ. Montpellier – France
- Oct 2023, William Warren, Chancellor’s Professor at Department of Cognitive, Linguistic & Psychological Sciences, Brown University – U.S.A.
- Jun 2023, Paolo Bazzurro, Professor at University School for Superior Studies (IUSS) – Italy
- Jun 2023, Michael Richardson, Professor at School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University – Australia
- May 2023, Athanasios Yannacopoulos, Professor of Applied Stochastic Analysis, Athens University of Economics and Business – Greece
- May 2023, Vito Latora, Professor of Applied Mathematics at Queen Mary University – U.K., and Full Professor of Theoretical Physics at University of Catania – Italy
- May 2023, Manlio De Domenico, Associate Professor of Applied Physics at Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua – Italy
- May 2023, John Hogan, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol – U.K.
- Mar 2023, Manuel Ruìz-Marìn, Full Professor at the department of Quantitative Methods, Law and Modern Languages in Technical University of Cartagena – Spain
- Feb 2023, Eduardo Montijano, Professor at Departament of Computer Science and Systems Engineering at Universidad de Zaragoza – Spain
- Jan 2023, Tiziano De Angelis, Professor at Department of Economic and Social Sciences and Mathematical Statistics, University of Turin – Italy
- Jan 2023, Valerio Cozzani, Professor at Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna – Italy
- Nov 2022, Francesco Bullo, Professor ad Deparment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara – U.S.A.
- Sep 2022, Mirco Musolesi, Professor at Department of Computer Science, University College London – U.K.
- Sep 2022, Rachel Kallen, Professor at Department of Psychology at Macquarie University – Australia
- Sep 2022, Michael Richardson, Professor at School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University – Australia
- Jul 2022, Paolo Franchin, Professor at Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, “Sapienza” University of Rome – Italy
- Jun 2022, Enrico Zio, Professor at Energy Department, Polytechnic of Milan – Italy
- May 2022, Tiziano De Angelis, Professor at Department of Economic and Social Sciences and Mathematical Statistics, University of Turin – Italy
- Apr 2022, Ernesto Salzano, Professor at Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna – Italy
- Apr 2022, Petri Piiroinen, Professor at Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Division of Dynamics, Chalmers University of Technology – Sweden
- Mar 2022, Jessica Dickey, award-winning performer and playwright & actor
- Mar 2022, Benoit Bardy, Professor at EuroMov Digital Health in Motion, University of Montpellier – France
- Mar 2022, Juergen Kurths, Professor at Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Institute of Physics at Humboldt University – Germany
- Jan 2022, Lucilla Alfonsi, Researcher at Upper Atmosphere Physics and Radiopropagation Unit, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology – Italy
- Dec 2021, Stefano Boccaletti, Director of research at CNR – Institute of Complex Systems – Italy
- Nov 2021, Paolo Frasca, Researcher at Researcher at Centre national de la recherche scientifique – France
- Nov 2021, Francesco Bullo, Professor ad Deparment of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara – U.S.A.