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ABOUT ME

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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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PHD JOURNEY

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Completed

1 / 9

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PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed

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When Information Does Not Deliver: The Service-Capacity Cost of Rigid Roles in Energy-Constrained Multi-Agent Foraging

M. Pavone, M. Brancaforte, M. Cassia, A. Mezzina, C. Crespi

Journal • Accepted for publication in Computers, MDPI, 2026.

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Evolved Micro-Neural Networks for Per-Ant Behavioral Modulation in Ant Colony Optimization

Alessio Mezzina, Mario Pavone

Conference • ALIFE 2026 - The 2026 Conference on Artificial Life.

Paper →

03

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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3D YOLO-like Detector for Cosmic Voids: A Multi-Scale Deep Learning Approach to Large-Scale Underdense Structures

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

Journal • Astronomy & Computing, Elsevier, 2026, Article 101152. Joint work with KOEXAI S.R.L.

Paper →

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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.

Paper →

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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.

Paper →

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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.

Paper →

08

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.

Paper →

09

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.

Paper →

10

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

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

Underwater acoustic rays bending through a deep sound channel in Visual Sonar

Interactive scientific experience

Visual Sonar 2.0

Explore underwater acoustics through real-time 3D ray tracing, sound-speed profiles and interactive sonar equations. Rebuilt from my 2022 Bachelor’s thesis.

Explore Visual Sonar Original Unity project

Conference website