Enabling data-driven science & innovation for societal impact

Roberto holds an M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in Particle Physics from the University of Torino, Italy. He has worked for several years in fundamental research as a senior fellow and data scientist at the CERN Experimental Physics division and on a research project supported by the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS). In 2018 he moved to EPFL to work on data mining and Machine Learning techniques for the built environment and renewable energies. He has started and led multiple collaborations with academic and industry partners in the energy domain. Roberto joined the SDSC in September 2021 as a Principal Data Scientist with the mission of accompanying industries, NGOs and international organizations through their data science journey.

Valerio started his career working for 7 years as a particle-physics researcher at CERN. In 2016, he moved to consulting, applying data science in several industries. First, he joined the Quant team of Ernst & Young in Geneva. Later, he created his own company, SamurAI sàrl, providing consulting services for his clients. He also has a passion for teaching very complex subjects in simple terms. That is why he particularly enjoys offering training programs to private companies and universities. Valerio joined the SDSC in May 2022 as a Principal Data Scientist with the mission of accompanying industrial partners and other institutions through their data science journey.

After earning a MSc in Theoretical Physics at University of Padua, Giulio graduated in Quantitative Finance from Bocconi University. Before joining the SDSC industry cell in June 2021, he spent a few years working in the financial sector, where he mainly dealt with the application of machine learning to financial risk management. When not coding, Giulio spends his free time playing bass guitar, hiking and cooking.

Valérie Meillaud joined the SDSC in February 2026 as an Administrative and Events Specialist, based in Lausanne.

She will work closely with Cindy and will support office management, event logistics, and stakeholder coordination. Valérie is an experienced administrative specialist with strong coordination, operational management, and event organisation skills, developed at EPFL, WWF International, and in primary education. Valérie holds a Master’s degree in Management from HEC Lausanne and speaks French, English, and German.

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Uta joined SDSC in May 2024 as Head of Communications & Events. Prior to that, she held various business communication management roles in technology-driven companies in material and life sciences, information and telecommunications as well as automotive industries. Her specialty is to transform complex messages into simple stories to help organizations reach key audiences with relevant and compelling contents, leveraging media and digital channels.Uta holds a Master of Arts from Humboldt University of Berlin, a Master of Business Administration from La Salle University, Philadelphia, and a graduate certificate in Sustainability Leadership from Cambridge University. In her free time she enjoys sports and traveling with her husband and two sons.