The main focus of my research is the study of the behaviour of matter and radiation in presence of extreme conditions: strong gravity, strong magnetic fields and strong velocity fields. Most of my research is in the field of compact objects (black holes and neutron stars): they provide ideal and unique laboratories, not reproducible at Earth, where our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics can be put to an ultimate test. My work in galactic compact objects, deal with the observation and interpretation of their X-ray and multi-wavelength emission and of the radiative processes responsible for it. I have 19 years research experience in X-ray Astrophysics, a substantial expertise in the numerical solution of radiative transfer problems under fully relativistic conditions, and a substantial track record in isolated neutron stars, magnetars and pulsar physics. At MSSL, we combine theoretical modelling with data acquisition and analysis from the world's leading observatories at wavelengths from radio to X-rays, and I am part of solid international collaborations with the most active groups in the field at worldwide level. We developed sophisticated physical models of crustal, atmospheric and magnetospheric emission from compact objects, some of them have been for the first time systematically applied to a quantitative comparison with data. Beside neutron stars, my research spans a very wide range of fields, from both the theoretical and observational point of view. I work in the fields of general relativity, X-ray binaries, diffuse emission, extragalactic X-ray sources,  gamma ray bursts.

I have been involved in the preparatory phase and in the observational science programs of several satellites and mission proposals (Swift, Edge, GRI, XIPE, IXPE, Athena).  From 2010 to 2014, I have been part of the ESA Science Team of the  Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT), one of the 5 M3 ESA candidates. I have been the PI of the Large Area Detector, the major instrument foreseen on board (the project was UKSA funded during the assessment phase).  I am member of the Science Team for the polarimetry missions IXPE (Nasa SMEX), XIPE (ESA M4 candidate) and for the eXTP Chinese mission on X-ray timing and polarimetry.

Scientific Area of research

Neutron Stars, Pulsars, High Energy Astrophysics, Radiative Transfer, Accretion, Gamma Ray Bursts, Black Holes