PhD Students 41st cycle
Ugo Conversano
PhD Student
Ugo Conversano is PhD Student at the University of Bologna – Department of Management. He is a professional in the field of public finance. Since 2020, he has been working at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A., Public Administration Division, as a Public Sector Financing Associate, where he evaluates the financial viability of public investments by territorial entities and public institutions. In 2019, he completed an internship at the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, contributing to the management of financial flows among the main fiscal agencies. He holds a Master’s in Local Finance from Bologna Business School and a Master’s Degree in Business Management with honors from the University of Bologna, with a thesis in Public Accounting. Alongside his professional career, he has taken part in political and cultural training programs: he was a member of the School of Economic and Social Policies “Carlo Azeglio Ciampi” and served as organizational coordinator of the Academy of Politics and Culture “Giovanni Spadolini.”
Giulia Guidi
PhD Student
Giulia Guidi is PhD Candidate at the University of Bologna – Department of Economics. After a high school diploma in languages, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science for Management and a Master’s degree in Health Economics, Management and Policy at the University of Bologna, where she developed strong skills in health policy analysis. She subsequently worked as a research fellow at the Department of Economics, within Age-It project (PNRR). Her research focuses on the impact evaluation of health policies in the context of chronic diseases and population aging, with particular attention to territorial chronic-care clinics, the effects of GP turnover on continuity of care, and forecasting models for primary-care demand. Through econometrics and predictive methods, her goal is to contribute to the development of evidence-based and sustainable health policies.
Camila Javiera Cid Diaz
PhD Student
Camila Javiera Cid Diaz is PhD Student at the University of Bologna - Department of Statistical Sciences "Paolo Fortunati". She is a sociologist, graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and holds two Master’s degrees: the first in Social Survey Design and Analysis from the same university, and the second in Big Data from La Sapienza University in Rome. She has worked in both the public and private sectors as a data analyst, methodological consultant, and researcher. Recently, she collaborated as a research fellow in the PRIN 2022 DREAMS project, contributing to academic papers and disseminating results at conferences. In this experience, she worked on topics such as migration, students’ subjective well-being, and socioeconomic factors, applying multivariate analysis techniques. Finally, she has a particular interest in issues related to demographic changes, social inclusion, and socioeconomic factors.
Mehreen Idrees Khan
PhD Student
Mehreen Idrees Khan is a PhD Student at the University of Bologna - Department of Economics.
She obtained MPhil degree in Development Studies from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, where her thesis explored the Issues and Challenges Concerning First and Last Mile Travel in the Twin Cities of Pakistan. She also holds a BS in Economics from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Before joining the PhD program, she worked for a year as a Business Development and Social Sectors Associate at Associates in Development (AiD), a development consulting firm where she contributed to research assignments funded by donors.
The theme of the call to which she has been assigned is “Investment on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Accessibility and Integration with Micromobility” under the Public Governance, Management and Policy (Public-GoMaP) program.
The objectives of her research are to analyze how investments in BRT systems can improve accessibility and integration with micromobility services through better planning, infrastructure investment, and equitable transport policies, fostering sustainable and inclusive urban mobility. Her broader research interests include public transport accessibility, mode choice behavior, and urban sustainability in developing cities.
She obtained MPhil degree in Development Studies from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, where her thesis explored the Issues and Challenges Concerning First and Last Mile Travel in the Twin Cities of Pakistan. She also holds a BS in Economics from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Before joining the PhD program, she worked for a year as a Business Development and Social Sectors Associate at Associates in Development (AiD), a development consulting firm where she contributed to research assignments funded by donors.
The theme of the call to which she has been assigned is “Investment on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Accessibility and Integration with Micromobility” under the Public Governance, Management and Policy (Public-GoMaP) program.
The objectives of her research are to analyze how investments in BRT systems can improve accessibility and integration with micromobility services through better planning, infrastructure investment, and equitable transport policies, fostering sustainable and inclusive urban mobility. Her broader research interests include public transport accessibility, mode choice behavior, and urban sustainability in developing cities.
Mauro Tommasi
PhD Student
Mauro Tommasi is PhD Student at the University of Bologna – Department of Social and Political Sciences. Currently policy officer at the European Commission's DG Employment, he works on the implementation of the Social Climate Fund and on simplifying the processes related to the proper functioning of European funds. He previously worked as a project officer at the IFEL Foundation and as an analyst for various research centers related to innovation in the public sector. In 2023-2024, he worked at the European Commission's DG Reform as a policy and project assistant in the Public Administration and Governance Unit. A political scientist by training, he attended the prestigious School of Politics founded by former Prime Minister Enrico Letta and was selected as one of the 100 young Italian leaders of the future by Fondirigenti, Confindustria's training body. From 2020 to 2023, he collaborated with FPA, the Italian platform for innovation in public administration, supporting analysis and research activities, as well as the development of the FORUM PA conference program, with particular reference to managing relations with keynote speakers and international guests.
Maximiliano Valderrama Espinosa
PhD Student
Maximiliano Rausch is a PhD student at the University of Bologna – Department of Management. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA from EAFIT University (Colombia), a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration in Economic Policy Management (STEM) from Columbia University (New York), and a Specialization in Telecommunications Management from Universidad Externado de Colombia.
With over twenty years of experience in both government and the corporate sector, he works as a senior advisor and independent consultant based in New York. He is also the founder of Riding for a Dream, Inc., a U.S.–based nonprofit organization fostering social inclusion through sports and education.
His research focuses on algorithmic governance, policy evaluation, and digital transformation in public decision-making.
His ultimate goal is to contribute to the improvement of social architecture and the development of critical thinking as means to strengthen governance, civic responsibility, and institutional accountability.