Andrea holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and an MSc and BSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Cagliari, Italy.

He joined the CRSES in 2024 as a Research Engineer, investigating waste-to-energy solutions, particularly the biological production of hydrogen and methane from food waste. His postdoctoral research will further explore innovative pathways for green hydrogen production from biomass, aligning with his ongoing focus on sustainable waste-to-energy systems.

With over five years of experience as a research assistant and grant manager, Andrea has collaborated with national and international stakeholders such as SANEDI, Durban Solid Waste, the City of Cape Town, UNEP, IIASA, The Ocean Cleanup, and the World Bank. His work has led to successful grant acquisitions and the development of innovative waste management and sustainable energy strategies.

Currently, Andrea serves as the Centre Manager for the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Renewable Energy. In this role, he facilitates intra-Africa collaborations and extra-Africa partnerships with European institutions to advance renewable energy research.

Andrea is passionate about leveraging waste-to-energy options to overcome waste management challenges and enhance the sustainability of the energy sector.