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ABOUT ME

Portrait of Alessio Mezzina
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Ph.D. in Computer Science

University of Catania • Oct 2024 - Present

  • Ph.D. scholarship with KOEXAI Srl.
  • Research in generative AI and metaheuristic optimization.
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About

I am a researcher and builder focused on turning AI and metaheuristic methods into usable systems. I enjoy mentoring students, collaborating with industry, and presenting results at conferences. Outside the lab, I recharge with hiking and tabletop games.

Generative AI
Metaheuristics
Optimization
Data Science
Applied Research
Problem Solving
Teaching & Mentoring
Conference Organization
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EXPERIENCE

Education
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Ph.D. in Computer Science
University of Catania • Oct 2024 - Present
AI and metaheuristics research with KOEXAI scholarship.
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Teaching Abilitation Class A041
University of Catania • Jun 2024 - Dec 2024 • 10/10
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M.Sc. in Computer Science - Data Science
University of Catania • Oct 2022 - Jul 2024 • 110/110 cum laude
Thesis: Real Time Adaptive Metaheuristic for Dynamic Optimisation.
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B.Sc. in Computer Science - Systems & Applications
University of Catania • Oct 2019 - Dec 2022 • 110/110 cum laude
Thesis: Visual Sonar - Underwater acoustics simulator and sonar systems.
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Technical High School Diploma - IT
I.T.T. Ettore Majorana • Sep 2014 - Jul 2019 • 81/100
Work Experience
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Researcher
KOEXAI Srl • Oct 2024 - Present
Research and applied projects in AI and metaheuristics.
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Software Development Engineering Intern
STMicroelectronics • Feb 2023 - Dec 2023
Built Power Automate Desktop PoCs, documented workflows, and collaborated with global engineering teams.
Teaching & Mentoring
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Teaching Assistant
Algorithms & Laboratory • 2025, 2024
Guided B.Sc. students across multiple cohorts.
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Teaching Assistant
Operating Systems • 2025
Led system-level labs.
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Teaching Assistant
Applied Informatics • 2024
Delivered practical sessions for Biological Sciences students.
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Teacher Training Internship
Class A041 • Oct 2024 - Dec 2024
180-hour classroom internship.
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Thesis Co-supervision
2025
Co-supervised B.Sc. thesis.
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PUBLICATIONS

01

A Comprehensive Review of Metaheuristics for Modern Traveling Salesman Problem and Drone-Assisted Delivery

Alessio Mezzina, Mario Pavone

Journal • Algorithms, MDPI, 2026, 19(4), 278.

DOI →
02

HALOS: Hierarchical Aggregation Learning for Overdensity Search

Fabio Spampinato, Vincenzo Del Zoppo, Giuseppe Puglisi, Alessio Mezzina, Marco Cataldo, Jean Marc Christille, Matteo Calabrese, Luca Naso, Carmelita Carbone

Journal • Astronomy & Computing, Elsevier, 2026, Article 101114. Joint work with KOEXAI S.R.L.

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03

ASTRAI: Advanced Supernova Transient Research with Artificial Intelligence

Andrea Claudio Grasso, Vincenzo Del Zoppo, Alessio Mezzina, Marco Cataldo, Giuseppe Puglisi, Fabio Spampinato, Stefano Pio Cosentino, Maria Letizia Pumo, Luca Naso

Journal • In press, Astronomy & Computing, Elsevier, 2025. Joint work with KOEXAI S.R.L.

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04

An Autonomous Navigation Framework for Item Retrieval in Unknown Environments

Alessio Mezzina, Carolina Crespi, Vincenzo Cutello, Mario Pavone

Conference • Accepted, LION20 - The 20th Learning and Intelligent Optimization Conference, 2026.

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Retrieval Augmented Generation with Iterative Critique: A Framework for Structured Task Solving

Alessio Mezzina, Mario Pavone, Luca Naso

Conference • In press, DSA-ISC 2025, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 16405, pp. 181-194, Springer, 2026.

06

A Weighted Binary String Benchmark to Assess the Efficiency of Stochastic Search Processes

Vincenzo Cutello, Alessio Mezzina, Mario Pavone, Francesco Zito

Conference • ICSI 2025, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 16011, pp. 116-127, Springer, 2025.

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07

A Real-Time Adaptive Tabu Search for Handling Zoom In/Out in Map Labeling Problem

Vincenzo Cutello, Alessio Mezzina, Mario Pavone, Francesco Zito

Conference • LION18, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 14990, pp. 108-122, Springer, 2025.

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Scientific Roles
2026MESS2026 — Local Organising Committeelink
2026LION 20 — Special Session Organizerlink
2025ISC 2025 — Track Chair & Local Organising Committeelink
2025WBO 2025 — Publicity Chair & Organising Committeelink
2025PhD Student Representative — Quality-Assurance Board, PhD Program in CS, University of Catanialink
2024MESS2024 — Local Organising Committeelink
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PROJECTS

GitHub @AlessioMezzina
Conference website

WBO 2025
Summer school site

MESS 2026
D&D Manager logo
Tooling

D&D Campaign & Battle manager

Narrative + combat tracking. Not live yet, contact me for a demo.

Request demo
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CONTACT

Let's collaborate.

I partner with companies, labs, and individuals to design AI projects and software systems.

EmailAlessio.mezzina@phd.unict.itAlessio.mezzina01@gmail.com
Phone+39 333 204 0976
LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/alessio-mezzina
Book a call Academic profile (DMI)
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