About

I am a Ph.D. candidate in the College of Science and Engineering and an aerospace engineer specialised in lattice structures, advanced composite materials and aerodynamics.

In 2020 I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Enna "Kore", Italy, with a thesis titled: "Numerical analyses of sandwich panels made up with lattice core". The work focused on 3D-printed lattice structures, characterising the mechanical behaviour by employing the Finite Element Method (FEM), focusing on the static and modal behaviour. I obtained my Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering in 2023 at the Polytechnic of Turin, Italy, specialising in aerodynamics with a thesis titled: "RANS simulations with wall functions: evaluation of the predictive capability in separated flows". The thesis focused on the computational impact of the application of wall functions in boundary layer problems and separated flows, using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in Computational Fluid Dynamics.

In 2023 I chose to follow the natural development of my career, beginning a Ph.D. journey at University of Derby in January 2024. My current research focuses on designing, manufacturing and characterising eco-friendly and nano-reinforced composites with the use of natural fibres and recyclable resins, aiming for self-healing and self-sensing capabilities.

Title of thesis 

Eco-friendly, recyclable and nano-reinforced natural fibre thermoplastics for smart composites.

Supervisors 

• Dr. Marzena Pawlik
• Dr. Yiling Lu

Teaching responsibilities

Graduate Teaching Assistant

• Advanced Mechanical Design and Materials 6ME503
• Engineering Composite Materials 6EN510
• Computational Mechanics and Failure Analysis 6EN508
• Mechanical Engineering Principles 4EN505

Research interests

In the context of my Ph.D. project, I am focusing on replacing conventional synthetic composite materials with eco-friendly and recyclable alternatives. My research aims to provide these sustainable materials with structural health monitoring capabilities through the integration of carbon-based nanoparticles. Additionally, I am investigating self-healing properties enabled by the thermoplastic nature of the resin. To achieve these objectives, I employ a cross-disciplinary approach by integrating experimental, analytical, and computational methodologies.

My main research interests include:

• Composites manufacturing and testing
• Polymers, thermosetting and thermoplastic resins
• Nanoparticles, Graphene
• Advanced and intelligent materials, self-sensing, self-healing
• Mechanical analysis
• Thermal analysis
• 3D printed lattices, TPMS, RVE

Membership of professional bodies

• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
• The Institution of Structural Engineers
• Engineering Mechanics Institute
• Royal Aeronautical Society
• The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology

Qualifications

Undergraduate

• BSc (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering - 2020 - University of Enna "Kore", Italy

Postgraduate

• MSc in Aerospace Engineering with Specialisation in Aerodynamics - 2023 - Polytechnic of Turin, Italy

Doctorate

• Ph.D. in Advanced Materials - ongoing - University of Derby, UK

Recent conferences

• F. Marino, Member of the organising committee, UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), Swansea University, UK - January 2026
• F. Marino, Vice chair member of the organising committee, My Research My Reach 2025, Derby, UK - October 2025
• M. Pawlik, F. Marino, Y. Lu "Prediction of nano-reinforced coating properties in carbon fibre reinforced polymer via inverse analysis and optimisation", COUPLED Problems 2025, Villasimius, Italy - May 2025
• M. Pawlik, F. Marino, S. Valvano "Graphene nanoplatelets self-sensing adhesive for fibre reinforced plastics composite", COUPLED Problems 2025, Villasimius, Italy - May 2025
• F. Marino, M. Pawlik, Y. Lu "Functionalised graphene-reinforced Elium composites for sustainable applications in transportation", UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), Sheffield, UK - January 2025
• F. Marino, My Research My Reach 2024, Derby, UK - November 2024

Additional interests and activities

Although my main research field is on composite materials, I still actively work on other fields within my expertise, such as:

• Mechanical characterisation of lattice structures
• Thermal characterisation of plastics
• Testing of metallic materials
• RVE modelling
• FEM modelling

Recent publications

• Marino, F., Lu, Y., & Pawlik, M. (2025). Curing Kinetics and Processing of Graphene Reinforced Elium® Polymer for Infusible Composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing (CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW)
• Marino, F., Lu, Y., & Pawlik, M. (2025). Thermoplastic Elium® Resin for Eco-friendly, Nano-reinforced and Functionalised Composites, A Review. Composites Part B: Engineering (CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW)
• Marino, F., Pawlik, M., & Valvano, S. (2024). Mechanical Analysis of Sandwich Plates with Lattice Metal Composite Cores. Spectrum of Mechanical Engineering and Operational Research, 1(1), 44-63
• Alaimo, A., Marino, F., & Valvano, S. (2021). BCC lattice cell structural characterization. Reports in Mechanical Engineering, 2(1), 77-85