CURRENT POSITION
Full Professor in Metallurgy (Scientific Disciplinary Sector IIND-03/C Metallurgy). She is a faculty member of the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, where she coordinates the Metallurgy Research Group.
Her research focuses on the relationships between composition, processing, microstructure, and mechanical properties of ferrous alloys (steels and cast irons), light alloys (aluminium, titanium, and magnesium), and metal matrix composites. Particular attention is devoted to the effects of conventional manufacturing processes (casting and metal forming), advanced manufacturing technologies (Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)), heat treatments, and surface engineering on the static, fatigue, and tribological properties of metallic materials.
Further details on her research activities are available in the 'Research Topics' section of this CV, while the complete list of publications is available in the corresponding section of the website.
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2358-1306
Web of Science Researcher ID: R-4024-2016
Scopus Author ID: 7004218595
Scopus metrics (July 2026): H-index: 44; 6,191 citations.
ACADEMIC CAREER
· 1992 – Assistant Professor (Researcher) in Metallurgy (SSD ING-IND/21), University of Bologna.
· 2004 – Qualified for the position of Associate Professor in Metallurgy (SSD ING-IND/21).
· 2005 – Appointed Associate Professor of Metallurgy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bologna (tenure confirmed in 2008).
· 2012 – Awarded the Italian National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor in Metallurgy (Competition Sector 09/A3, SSD ING-IND/21).
· Since 2016 – Full Professor of Metallurgy. Appointed at the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna (2016), and transferred to the Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) in 2020.
EDUCATION
· 1988 – MSc (five-year degree) in Nuclear Engineering, cum laude (100/100), University of Bologna.
· 1988 – Italian Professional Qualification as Engineer.
· 1992 – PhD in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Padua.
INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
· National Coordinator of Spoke 11 – Innovative Materials and Lightweighting, National Centre for Sustainable Mobility (MOST), funded under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) (2022–2026).
· Delegate for Students, Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), University of Bologna (since 2024).
· Member of the Strategic Planning Committee, Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN), University of Bologna (since 2024).
· Member of the Academic Board of the PhD Programme in Mechanics and Advanced Engineering Sciences (DIMSAI), University of Bologna (since 2010). Previously (2005–2009), member of the Academic Board of the PhD Programme in Mechanical and Management Engineering, Marche Polytechnic University.
· Delegate for University–Industry Relations for the Mechanical Engineering Degree Programme (since 2021).
· Member of the Quality Assurance Committee of the Mechanical Engineering Degree Programme (since 2025).
· Member of the Management Board of the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research on Advanced Mechanics and Materials (CIRI-MAM) (since 2019).
· Member of the National Scientific Qualification Committee (ASN) (2018–2020).
· Member of the University Thematic Group (GTA) on Raw Materials (2017–2021).
· Member of the Research Committee, DICAM Department (2016–2020).
· Delegate for Research, Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) (2015–2016).
· Member of the Executive Board, Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) (2015–2016).
· Delegate for International Relations, Department of Industrial Engineering (DIN) (2012–2015).
· Member of the committee for the evaluation of applications for international mobility grants, School of Engineering and Architecture, University of Bologna (2013–2015).
· Chair of the Transfer Committee for the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes in Mechanical Engineering, University of Bologna (2004–2009).
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Teaching at the University of Bologna
· Since the academic year 1995/96, her teaching activities have focused on courses in Metallurgy within the Bachelor's, Master's, and former five-year degree programmes in Mechanical, Chemical, and Energy Engineering at the University of Bologna. From 2002 to 2009, she also taught in the Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Forlì campus.
· She is currently responsible for the following courses:
· Metallurgy (6 ECTS) – Bachelor's Degree Programmes in Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering.
· Mechanical Metallurgy (6 ECTS) – Master's Degree Programmes in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.
· Metallic Biomaterials (3 ECTS) – Master's Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering.
· Further information on these courses is available in the Teaching section of this website.
Professional Courses, Master's Programmes and Invited Lectures
· Over the past three decades, she has regularly delivered invited lectures, professional training courses, and seminars for universities, research organizations, scientific societies, and industrial partners on topics including metallurgy, tribology, heat treatments, aluminium alloys, steels, additive manufacturing, and surface engineering.
· Her teaching activities include several courses and industrial training programmes in collaboration with companies operating in the automotive and manufacturing sectors, also organized by the Italian Association of Metallurgy (AIM), the University of Bologna, HPE Group – Mekané School, Unindustria Bologna, Ferrari S.p.A., GD S.p.A.
SUPERVISION OF MSc, PhD THESIS AND RESEARCH FELLOWS
· Supervisor of more than 230 Master's and Bachelor's theses in the Degree Programmes in Mechanical, Chemical, and Energy Engineering at the University of Bologna.
· Academic tutor for more than 200 internships.
· Supervisor of more than 20 research fellows.
· Supervisor of more than 15 PhD theses in the field of Metallurgy, covering topics related to advanced steels, aluminium, titanium and magnesium alloys, metal additive manufacturing, heat treatments, surface engineering, fatigue, tribology, and microstructural characterization.
Recent PhD theses include:
· Carbon Footprint Reduction by Using Secondary Aluminum Alloys in Conventional and Innovative Processes: Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization (Dr. Riccardo Arcaleni).
· Optimization of Process Parameters, Heat Treatment and Surface Modification of Titanium Alloys Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion for Motorcycle Applications (Dr. Gianluca Pirro).
· High-Strength Steels Manufactured via Laser Powder Bed Fusion: Effect of Post-Process Heat Treatments and Surface Finishing on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties (Dr. Mattia Zanni).
· Optimization of Heat Treatment and Surface Modification of AlSi10Mg Alloy Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (Dr. Gianluca Di Egidio).
RESEARCH TOPICS
Her research activity focuses on the following main areas:
· Steels and cast irons: optimization of processing routes, with particular emphasis on heat treatments, to improve mechanical performance under specific service conditions, especially fatigue and wear resistance.
· Light alloys (aluminium, magnesium and titanium) and metal matrix composites: investigation of composition–process–microstructure–property relationships; optimization of heat treatments according to service requirements; study of fatigue and wear damage mechanisms.
· Manufacturing processes: research has traditionally focused on casting technologies for aluminium alloys. More recently, particular attention has been devoted to the metallurgical aspects of metal additive manufacturing, especially Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).
She is the author or co-author of more than 250 scientific publications, most of which have publishwed in international peer-reviewed journals.
Further details on her research activities are available in the Research Topics section of this CV, while the complete publication list is available in the Publications section.
RESEARCH PROJECT LEADERSHIP
Competitive Research Projects
National Research Coordination
· 2022–2026 – National Coordinator of Spoke 11 – Innovative Materials and Lightweighting, National Centre for Sustainable Mobility (MOST), funded under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The project involved 8 Italian universities, the National Research Council (CNR), and five major industrial partners (Eni Versalis, Ferrari, Leonardo, Pirelli, and Stellantis–CRF).
National Research Projects (PRIN/COFIN)
· 2022 – Principal Investigator, PRIN Project BETTER: New Biocompatible, Low-Stiffness Beta-Ti Ankle Endoprostheses Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion with Functionally Graded Lattice Structures.
· 1999–2008 – Principal Investigator of four research units within national PRIN/COFIN projects on:
o low-temperature carburising of austenitic stainless steels;
o superplastic behaviour of magnesium alloys;
o nanocrystalline aluminium alloys;
o aluminium matrix composites.
National Industrial Research Programmes
· Scientific Coordinator (University of Bologna) of nationally funded research projects within the FAR, FIRB, Industria 2015, and POR-FESR Emilia-Romagna programmes, including collaborative projects with Ferrari, Ducati, IMR, and Pasello Trattamenti Termici, focusing on aluminium alloys, advanced steels, cryogenic treatments, energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and sustainable materials.
European Research Initiatives
· 2024–2026 – Participant in the Horizon Europe project ZEvRA – Zero Emission Electric Vehicles enabled by haRmonised circulArity.
· 2020–2021 – Participant in the EIT RawMaterials project NEWMAN – Nickel-frEe poWders for High-Performance Components.
Regional Competitive Research Projects
Participant in several projects funded under the POR-FESR Emilia-Romagna Programme, including:
· ALERT (2024–2026) – Aluminium alloys for fatigue and fretting-resistant components.
· MAGMOVE (2024–2026) – Sustainable magnetic materials for high-efficiency electric motors.
· ACMEC (2019–2020) – Additive manufacturing and cyber-physical technologies for mechatronics.
· RIMMEL (2019–2020) – Multifunctional coatings for steel and aluminium components manufactured by additive manufacturing.
European Proposal Coordination
· 2014 – Coordinator (Person in Charge) of the European proposal IN-HANCE – Advanced Industrial Processing of High-Strength Aluminium Matrix Nanocomposites, submitted under the H2020-NMP-PILOTS-2014 call (Proposal No. 646276), involving a consortium of 17 international partners, including Volkswagen, SAPA, Aluinvent, Technische Universität Chemnitz, and Jönköping University.
SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP OF INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH PROJECTS
Over the past 25 years, she has served as Scientific Coordinator for more than 30 industrial research projects carried out by the University of Bologna in collaboration with leading national and international companies, including Ferrari, Automobili Lamborghini, Ducati Motor Holding, SACMI, IMA, ITM Italtractor.
These projects have focused on the development and characterization of advanced metallic materials and manufacturing technologies, with particular emphasis on:
· aluminium, titanium, magnesium and high-strength steels
· casting, heat treatments and surface engineering
· additive manufacturing (Laser Powder Bed Fusion and WAAM);
· fatigue, tribology
· failure analysis and microstructural characterization.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND SCIENTIFIC NETWORKS
Member of the Italian Association of Metallurgy (AIM) and of its Technical Committees on Light Metals and Coatings and Tribology. Member of the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research on Advanced Mechanics and Materials (CIRI-MAM) and the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Aerospace (CIRI Aerospace), University of Bologna.
SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
Regularly invited to serve as Conference Chair, Session Chair, Track Organizer, Keynote Speaker, and Member of Scientific Committees for major national and international conferences in the fields of metallurgy, heat treatment, tribology, casting, and advanced manufacturing.
Recent appointments include:
· Session Chair, 41st AIM National Conference (2026).
· President, 37th AIM National Conference (2018).
· Scientific Committee Member, High Tech Die Casting Conferences (2008, 2012, 2016, 2021).
· Session Chair, European Conference on Heat Treatment and IFHTSE Congress (2015).
· Track Organizer and Session Chair, World Tribology Congress (2013).
· Keynote Speaker and Session Chair, THERMEC Conference (2009).
· She has also served as Session Chair at several editions of the AIM National Conference, EUROMAT, the World Tribology Congress, the International Conference on Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering in Automotive Applications, and other international scientific meetings.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS
Over the past decade, she has established long-standing research collaborations with leading universities and research institutions in Sweden, Norway, the United States, Germany, Egypt, Brazil, and Portugal, including Jönköping University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), The British University in Egypt, Universidade Federal do Paraná, and the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD).
Lorella Ceschini
Bologna, Italy – July 2026
