Sandro Mussa-Ivaldi obtained a degree (Laurea) in Physics from the University of Torino (1978) and a PhD in biomedical engineering from the Politecnico di Milano (1987).
He has asked how a variety of movement patterns and control strategies can be constructed from the superposition of a set of basis fields.
In some more recent work, Sandro Mussa-Ivaldi has applied computational ideas to the design of brain machine interfaces.
He and his collaborators have developed the first neurorobotic system in which a neural preparation in-vitro - the brainstem of a Lamprey - controls the behavior of a mobile-robot through a closed-loop interaction.
Recent research in the lab of Dr. Mussa-Ivaldi addresses clinical questions where computational insights can be used to better the lives of persons with disabilities.