The rhythm of collaborative intelligence
Can a robot reduce your mental stress while making you more productive? By blending neuroergonomics and human–robot interaction with acting, salsa, and the historic victory of SSC Napoli, this MSCA journey shows how human connection and curiosity drive Industry 5.0.
The mind in the machine: Measuring cognitive load
As the MSCA celebrates 30 years of fostering excellence, my journey reflects the programme’s evolution from academic training to industrial impact. My doctoral research was conducted within the Collaborative Intelligence for Safety Critical Systems (CISC) ITN, a project that concluded last year but left a lasting mark on the field of human–robot collaboration.
My work focused on the interaction between humans and collaborative robots (cobots) in environments where safety and ergonomics are paramount. To understand this relationship, I used innovative EEG (electroencephalography) sensors to monitor the brain activity of participants during complex assembly tasks. We sought to answer a vital question: Does technology truly help us, or does it simply add to our cognitive burden?
The Golden result: Higher productivity, lower stress
The results from the CISC project were a breakthrough for human-centric design. By analysing neural oscillations (specifically Alpha and Beta band power), we found that working with a cobot significantly decreased the mental workload of the human operator.
Crucially, this cognitive offloading did not lead to a drop in performance; instead, productivity increased. This data provides a scientific foundation for the next generation of manufacturing, proving that safety-critical systems are most effective when they prioritise the mental well-being of the human in the loop.
Ireland: Acting, bars, and the spark of inspiration
Mobility is the heartbeat of the MSCA, and my secondment in Ireland provided a unique spark. Living between the vibrant energy of Dublin and the soulful atmosphere of Mullingar, I found inspiration in the local Irish bars and the storytelling nature of traditional music.
This creative atmosphere led me to a bold decision: enrolling in acting school. While it seemed worlds away from robotics, acting taught me about presence and empathy. It was during these evenings in Irish bars and weekends in acting class that I realised research doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it is fed by the world around us and the diverse ways we express our humanity.
Serbia: The synergy of friendship, salsa, and the scudetto
In Serbia, I discovered that the secret to keeping research alive during demanding experiments wasn’t just discipline, but curiosity and connection. While my days were spent in the lab, my evenings were spent discovering a passion for salsa in Belgrade.
However, my resilience was also fueled by a lifelong passion from home: supporting SSC Napoli. During these intense research years, the unthinkable happened, and the Napoli football team finally won the championship after decades of waiting. Celebrating that Scudetto while living abroad was a powerful reminder of how our personal joys and cultural identities sustain us through professional challenges. The bonds I formed with colleagues within the CISC consortium and friends in both Ireland and Serbia became my greatest research asset, proving that a researcher’s stamina is fueled by the community they build outside the cleanroom.
From trainee to leader: The ExCISC era
The conclusion of the CISC ITN did not mark the end of my MSCA journey, but rather a new beginning. Drawing on the skills I developed as a fellow, I moved into a leadership role by co-authoring and successfully securing a new MSCA Staff Exchange named
I am now officially involved in ExCISC, transitioning from a trainee to a key contributor in an international exchange of knowledge. As we celebrate three decades of the MSCA in 2026, my path stands as a testament to its impact. It has transformed me from a student of engineering into a leader in human–robot collaboration, equipped with the technical skills of a scientist, the stage presence of an actor, and the global perspective of a mobile researcher.
