DArio pittera
BEHAVIOURAL scientist
Below you’ll find something about my professional career.
If you’d like more information, to collaborate, or have a question for me, please don’t hesitate to
👉👈 get in touch through the form at the bottom of the page.
Curriculum vitae
2014
MSc in Clinical psychology, Developmental psychology, and Neuropsychology
University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
SPECIALISATION: NEUROPSYCHOLOGY.
From nearly dropping out of high-school to my Master's Degree.
The brain is really the most amazing machine I've ever known.
2011
BSc in Psychological Sciences and Techniques
University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
I LOVE PSYCHOLOGY
My first career milestone! The human mind is really marvellous, I wanted to know more about its functioning, and perception.
Feb 2008 - Sep 2008
Warehouseman - Dispatcher - Customer Care
Maremagnum.com,
Milan, Italy
THE SMELL OF BOOKS
Before starting my psychology studies, I had the opportunity to get to know the work inside an online bookshop, a few steps from one of the main universities in Milan. Useless to say that it stimulated again the desire to continue to study.
Nov 2014 - Sep 2015
Visiting Researcher
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
... AND FIRST RESEARCH EXPERIENCE ABROAD
Discovering the world of haptics. I joined the Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics (CNCR) at the University of Birmingham, under the supervision of Dr. Max Di Luca. I had the opportunity to work with force feedback haptic technology and start working with psychophysics.
Feb 2015 - Sep 2015
Research Assistant
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
DEEP DIVING INTO THE RESEARCH
I was mainly involved in two projects: 1) Light touch to facilitate stroke patients’ balance, and 2) usability test of professional gloves. During that time, I also had the opportunity to organise a workshop on interpersonal postural interactions (WIPI 2015).
Nov 2016 - Feb 2017
Lab Associate
Disney Research,
Pittsburgh, USA
OH BOY!
I was part of the Haptics team under the supervision of Dr Ali lsrar at Disney Research Pittsburgh. I worked on a psychophysical study aimed at measuring the optimal parameters for establishing a smooth illusion of movement between the two not-interconnected hands. This work was presented at the ACM ICMI 2017 conference.
Oct 2015 - Sep 2020
PhD in Human-Computer Interaction
University of Sussex,
Brighton, UK
I AM A DOCTOR!
As a part of my doctorate, I initially investigated ways to convey emotions and facilitate embodiment through mid-air haptic technology, specifically by means of ultrasound arrays. Later, I focused on combining psychological phenomena and perceptive illusions with modern technology to study immersivity in VR environments.
Oct 2019 - present
Senior Behavioural
Research Scientist
Ultraleap Ltd., Bristol, UK
TOUCHLESS HAPTICS
I am a Behavioural Research Scientist at Ultraleap. I design and run human studies, collecting and analysing data to better understand how people perceive mid-air haptics in Human-Computer Interaction scenarios. In my research, I combine psychological and engineering methods, quantitative and qualitative measures. My research lies at the intersection of fundamental science, engineering, and UX.
Nov 2013 - Sep 2014
Research Assistant and Intern
Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy
DIRECT CONTACT WITH PATIENTS
l was part of Prof Priori and Dr Ferrucci's team in the Neurology Department. We investigated the cognitive and motor effects of tDCS in patients with Parkinson's disease. This work was published in the Neurophysiology and Cerebellum journals. I am grateful to all the patients that taught me about their illness and enriched my everyday life knowledge with their wise points of view.
Oct 2013 - Aug 2014
Web Designer
Natural1 - GV Edizioni,
Milan, Italy
APPLYING WHAT I LEARNT
I developed the e-commerce and photo gallery for the monthly journal Natural1, number 1 in phytotherapy, nutracetics, and natural cosmetics.
2008
Webmaster and Web/Multimedia Management
I.A.L. C.I.S.L.,
Milan, Italy
WEB PROGRAMMING
In this course, I learned the basics of PHP, and how to work with SQL on the web. At that time, having a personal website was still something that somehow required a specialist.
2008
Webdesigner, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
Web Agency Experience (EIDOS),
Milan, Italy
SPACE TO CREATIVITY!
In this course I learned the basis of Photoshop, the old Dreamweaver, Flash, and the mechanism of designing and publishing websites.
Jan 2007 - Aug 2007
Waiter
Corti di Rinoma',
Milan, Italy
LEARNING THE ROPES...
Let's step it up, it's important to know how to provide high-standard customer service.
Nov 2014 - Sep 2015
Waiter
Balfour Evans Catering LTD at Edgbaston Golf Club, Birmingham, UK
FIRST STEP IN THE UK!
I loved this experience. Getting to know better the English culture, being part of a golf club in a way :) and refine professional techniques. Thank you, Balfour Evans team! It was a stressful period of my life, but I don't regret a day!
Jun 2004 - Aug 2004
Waiter - Barista - Loading/Unloading
Garbagnati,
Milan, Italy
WORLD, HERE I GO!
Start facing the clients. Sometimes I miss the old times when I could spill out a fancy cocktail on a customer and be excused because "he's just a kid - happens to those who work!"...