Profile
Simone Bari is a PhD student in "Automotive Engineering for Intelligent Mobility" (41st cycle) at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, specializing in power electronics for electric vehicle applications. His research interest lies in the modelling, design and characterization of isolated DC-DC converters for EV applications, with particular focus on magnetic component design, operating-point analysis and loss modelling. He has hands-on experience across the full converter development cycle — from specification definition and transformer design to PCB prototyping and experimental validation — gained through the Formula Student programme with the UniPR Racing Team. From October 2026 he will be a visiting researcher at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), Ohio State University (until July 2027), as part of the EcoCAR project.
Education and Training
Since 2025 he has been a PhD student in Automotive Engineering for Intelligent Mobility – Powertrains, Vehicle Performance and Energy Systems at the University of Bologna. During the first year of his PhD, he focused on the design and modelling of a flyback stage for a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) architecture, extending the topology developed in his master's thesis: definition of the converter specifications (60–325 V input, 48 V/150 W output, quasi-resonant BCM flyback topology, L6565 controller), transformer characterization, control-loop modelling and validation in LTspice, and schematic/PCB layout design in Altium Designer.
He holds an MSc in Electronic Engineering from the University of Parma (110/110, 2022–2025), with a thesis on the design and implementation of a 600–24 V DC-DC converter (700 W) in dual-switch flyback topology with an ST L6565 quasi-resonant controller, developed for integration into the electric vehicle of the UniPR Racing Team for the 2025–2026 Formula Student season.
He holds a BSc in Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering from Politecnico di Bari (103/110, 2019–2022), with a thesis titled "Sensors for Autonomous Driving", providing an overview of the current state of the art of self-driving cars and their expected future developments.
He obtained his upper secondary school diploma at I.I.S.S. Leonardo da Vinci in Fasano (BR) (97/100, 2014–2019).
In July 2026 he attended the doctoral-level summer school "Future of Automotive for Intelligent Mobility (FAIM)", organized by the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Bologna (Bologna, July 20–31), covering advanced and sustainable propulsion systems, vehicle energy management and control, automotive connectivity, vehicle design and simulation, and environmental sustainability. He passed the final multiple-choice assessment, recognized as PhD training credits.
Work Experience
In the 2025–2026 academic year he carries out tutoring activities for the Electrical Engineering course at the Department of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Parma, held by his supervisor Prof. Carlo Concari.
In 2025 he worked as an electronic member of the UniPR Racing Team, where he improved the previous version of the DC-DC converter used on the 2024 car and, as part of his master's thesis, designed, developed and prototyped a new custom 600–24 V DC-DC converter (700 W), handling schematic design, PCB layout in Altium Designer and experimental validation, for integration into the team's electric vehicle.
Also in 2025 he served as instructor/lecturer at Crown Packaging Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., within a training course of the "Transizione 4.0 per la filiera alimentare" project (AV1/145A/24, subproject ID 3561877), focused on web-based programming and MBC electronics.
In 2017 he gained professional experience in the hospitality sector as a lifeguard at "Il Palmento Resort" in Locorotondo (BA), applying water safety, first-aid and emergency response procedures in a luxury hospitality environment.
Technical Skills and Tools
Design of isolated DC-DC converters (flyback topology); custom magnetic component design (transformers); power loss modelling and efficiency optimization; EV powertrain architectures; MATLAB/Simulink modelling; PCB design in Altium Designer. He also regularly uses MAGNETIsIM, LTspice and LaTeX.
Languages
Italian (native); English (B2 level – Cambridge First Certificate in English).
Soft Skills
Analytical thinking, teamwork in multidisciplinary environments, engineering problem solving, attention to detail, adaptability and communication skills.
Certifications
Cambridge English Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (First) – FCE-B2, obtained in 2018 at I.I.S.S. Leonardo da Vinci in Fasano (BR) with a score of 162/190 (reference number 185IT0641005). Lifeguard certification (Pool and Sea), obtained in 2017 from the Società Nazionale di Salvamento (Timo's Piscina Impero, Fasano, BR). BLS-D Operator certification (Basic Life Support and Defibrillation) for adult, child and infant resuscitation, obtained in 2017.
