Research Unit Coordinator
DLT for Supply Chains & Quantum-Resilient Architectures
Lodovica Marchesi is a researcher at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Cagliari, within the 01/INFO-01 – Computer Science disciplinary group and the INFO-01/A – Computer Science scientific-disciplinary sector.
Since 2021, she has coordinated the “DLT for Supply Chains & Quantum-Resilient Architectures” research unit within the Agile Group at the University of Cagliari. The unit conducts research in software engineering for decentralized systems, blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies, software security, and quantum-resilient architectures.
Her research focuses in particular on the design and evaluation of DLT-based software architectures, supply-chain traceability and certification, decentralized information ecosystems, smart-contract security, crypto-agility and the transition toward post-quantum solutions, the integration of blockchain, IoT and artificial intelligence, and the application of Agile and software engineering methodologies to emerging technologies.
She is a Research Associate at the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies – University College London and collaborates with Italian and international research groups in software engineering, blockchain, software architectures, security and emerging technologies.
People
The following researchers and collaborators participate in or contribute to the scientific activities of the unit:
- Azmath Ullah, PhD student, University of Cagliari
- Samuele Mannai, University of Cagliari
- Luca Pisano, intern, University of Cagliari
- Amal Nasharti, PhD student, University of Florence
- Raffaele Porcu, former research fellow at the University of Cagliari, currently at Net Service S.p.A.
- Francesco Salzano, PhD student, University of Molise
Research Areas
DLT, Supply Chains and Information Ecosystems
This research area investigates the design of decentralized software systems for traceability, certification and secure information management across complex supply chains and processes.
Research activities include blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology, smart contracts, end-to-end traceability systems, interoperability, integration between on-chain and off-chain components, Internet of Things, Self-Sovereign Identity, and the design of distributed information ecosystems.
Application domains include agri-food and pharmaceutical supply chains, waste management, logistics and port communities, digital identity, and secure and certified data management.
Security, Crypto-Agility and Quantum-Resilient Architectures
This research area addresses the security of software systems and decentralized infrastructures, with particular emphasis on the transition toward quantum-safe technologies.
Activities include smart-contract security, security patterns and best practices, crypto-agility, post-quantum cryptography, analysis and experimentation with quantum-resistant algorithms and libraries, and the design of software architectures resilient to cryptographic transition.
The research area also includes the study of software engineering processes specifically designed for quantum applications and Quantum Annealing, including AQUA – Agile QUantum Annealing.
Software Engineering, AI and Digital Sovereignty
This research area investigates software engineering methodologies, architectures and processes for systems based on emerging technologies.
Activities include Agile methodologies, automatic and semi-automatic generation of decentralized applications, software architectures, generative artificial intelligence, digital identity and data governance.
Research outcomes include the ABCDE – Agile Blockchain DApp Engineering methodology, approaches for the automatic generation of blockchain-based systems, and a Sovereign-by-Design Reference Architecture integrating Self-Sovereign Identity, blockchain, data governance and Generative AI. Markdown incollato
Scientific Responsibilities and Research Projects
ABATA – Blockchain Applications for Food Authenticity and Traceability
Lodovica Marchesi served as Scientific Lead of Implementation Objective OR5, devoted to the study of domain characteristics and the development of DSLs and frameworks for blockchain-based traceability systems.
The ABATA project aimed to design a blockchain-based information system for the traceability of agri-food supply chains and related transformation processes, with applications in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors.
Within OR5, she coordinated the team and the partners involved, supervised the technical and scientific activities, and coordinated the production of the unit’s results and deliverables. The project involved collaboration between the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Cagliari and Net Service S.p.A.
Bandzai+ – Bandzai Artificial Intelligence Enhanced
Lodovica Marchesi served as Scientific Lead of WP5 – Validation, Testing and Coordination within the Bandzai+ project, a research and development project funded through regional innovation initiatives in the ICT sector.
The project focused on the development of an intelligent platform for analysing and matching funding opportunities through automated data-ingestion techniques, Large Language Models, matching algorithms and conversational digital assistants.
WP5 focused on validation and testing of the integrated prototype, verification of the accuracy KPIs of the Artificial Intelligence components, and coordination of project activities and partners.
MASSIVE – Multi-platform Application to the Self Sovereign Identity Validation Environment
Within the MASSIVE project, Lodovica Marchesi served as Scientific Supervisor of the research fellowship entitled “Study of SSI wallet integration issues on blockchain technology with IoT devices and other external platforms.”
The fellowship, awarded to Samuele Mannai, had a total duration of 11 months. Her scientific responsibilities included defining and supervising the research plan, scientific supervision of the fellow, monitoring progress, evaluating results and coordinating the research activities with the broader MASSIVE project.
Quick Shield – Quantum Infrastructure Chain for Knowledge Protection
Lodovica Marchesi carries out technical and scientific coordination of industrial research activities within the Quick Shield project, a Net Service S.p.A. project aimed at developing an advanced cybersecurity platform for protecting data belonging to Public Administrations and companies.
The activities focus in particular on:
OR1 – Analysis of Post-Quantum Cryptography Technologies: critical analysis, comparison and experimentation with post-quantum cryptographic technologies, algorithms, standards and libraries.
OR3 – Analysis of AI Tools Supporting the Platform: study of Large Language Model and Tiny Language Model technologies supporting users from Public Administrations and companies according to privacy-by-design and privacy-by-default principles.
The project integrates post-quantum cryptography, distributed storage, blockchain-based event notarization and Artificial Intelligence techniques.
Other Projects
The unit’s activities also include participation in national and regional research projects, including:
- e.INS – Ecosystem of Innovation for Next Generation Sardinia
- PRIN W.E.B.E.S.T. – Wine EVOO Blockchain Et Smart ContracT
- HALO – Hazard-Analysis and Anti-Counterfeiting Ledger Oriented Protection
- KryptoSafe
- research activities involving SSI systems, DLT interoperability, IoT and information ecosystems. Markdown incollato
Scientific Supervision and Theses
Lodovica Marchesi supervises students and early-career researchers within the research areas of the unit.
Supervised Theses
2025
- SSI in the Legal Domain — Luca Pisano, Degree Programme in Computer Science, University of Cagliari
2024
- Blockchain Applications on Agri-Food Supply Chain — Samuele Mannai, Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Data Analytics, University of Cagliari
Industrial Collaborations and Technology Transfer
Lodovica Marchesi’s research activities include a significant component of industrial collaboration and technology transfer.
She has carried out research, consulting and design activities with Net Service S.p.A. on blockchain, decentralized systems, post-quantum cryptography and Quantum Computing; with ABC – Agile By Chain, a spin-off of the University of Cagliari, on blockchain, logistics, DLT system design and applied research; with Cobe Labs LTD as a Blockchain Researcher & Analyst; and with Innoviú S.r.l. on Agile methodologies applied to the design of blockchain-based systems.
She is co-founder and Sole Director of Quantum Futuris S.r.l., a university spin-off active in quantum computing, Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, IoT, cybersecurity and innovative software development.
Patents and Software
Lodovica Marchesi is co-inventor of the Italian industrial invention patent “Electronic voting platform and associated method”, no. 102024000007879.
She is also co-author of the software GIDAI – AI-Based Diet Management, registered with the Italian Public Register for Computer Programs maintained by SIAE.
Her research activities also include the design and development of proof-of-concepts, prototypes, software architectures and methodologies for blockchain, security, AI and quantum-oriented systems.
Scientific Community and Editorial Activities
Lodovica Marchesi actively contributes to the international scientific community as an organizer, reviewer and member of scientific committees.
She has served as Program Chair, Workshop Chair, Research Workshop Co-Chair, Organizing Chair and Publicity Chair for international workshops and conferences in software engineering, Distributed Ledger Technologies and decentralized applications, including IWBOSE, WETSEB, IEEE DAPPS, XP and the DLT Workshop.
In 2026, she is Workshop Chair and Organizing Co-Chair of the 8th Distributed Ledger Technology Workshop – DLT 2026 and a member of the Program Committee of WETSEB 2026.
She is an Associate Editor of the Cureus Journal of Computer Science, with responsibilities including peer-review management and editorial assessment of submitted manuscripts.
She has also participated as a speaker and keynote speaker at international conferences, workshops and scientific schools. Markdown incollato
Teaching
Lodovica Marchesi carries out university teaching activities within the 01/INFO-01 – Computer Science disciplinary group.
She has taught Elements of Computer Science, Computer Science 1 and Computer Science 2 within the Degree Programme in Mathematics at the University of Cagliari, as well as tutoring activities in information systems, databases, web analytics and text analysis.
She has also taught and delivered invited lectures in schools and specialized programmes devoted to blockchain, Distributed Ledger Technology, software engineering and emerging technologies.
Contacts and Research Profiles
e-mail: lodovica.marchesi@unica.it
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=cRpLgNgAAAAJ
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202705397
DBLP: https://dblp.org/pid/217/1491.html
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lodovica_Marchesi
Publications
2026
– Salzano, F., Marchesi, L., Antenucci, C. K., Scalabrino, S., Tonelli, R., Oliveto, R., & Pareschi, R. (2026). Bridging the gap: A comparative study of academic and developer approaches to smart contract vulnerabilities. Empirical Software Engineering, 31, Article 37. DOI: 10.1007/s10664-025-10780-5.
– Esposito, M., Marchesi, L., Tonelli, R., & Lenarduzzi, V. (2026). Sovereign-by-Design: A Reference Architecture for AI and Blockchain Enabled Systems. In Proceedings of the 2026 IEEE/ACM 48th International Conference on Software Engineering – ICSE Companion ’26. DOI: 10.1145/3774748.3795874.
– Ullah, A., Marchesi, L., & Fenu, G. (2026). Leveraging IoT and Blockchain to Reduce Food Waste: A Case Study. In Proceedings of the 8th Workshop on Emerging Trends in Software Engineering for Blockchain – WETSEB@ICSE 2026, pp. 63–70. DOI: 10.1145/3786157.3788571.
– Marchesi, L., Nasharti, A., & Marchesi, M. (2026). AQUA: an Agile Process to Develop Quantum Annealing Applications. IEEE Access, 14, 134097–134119. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2026.3728144.
2025
– Marchesi, L., Di Francesco, M., & Marchesi, M. (2025). Developing an Agile Process for Quantum Annealing Applications: An Industrial Experience. In Product-Focused Software Process Improvement. Industry, Doctoral-Symposium, Tutorial, and Workshop Papers, LNCS 16362, pp. 102–119. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-12092-2_7.
– Ullah, A., Lunesu, M. I., Marchesi, L., & Tonelli, R. (2025). Real-Time Monitoring and Transparency in Pizza Production Using IoT and Blockchain. In 2025 IEEE International Conference on Decentralized Applications and Infrastructures – DAPPS, pp. 133–134. DOI: 10.1109/DAPPS65174.2025.00025.
– Marchesi, L., Pompianu, L., & Tonelli, R. (2025). Security checklists for Ethereum smart contract development: Patterns and best practices. Blockchain: Research and Applications, 100367. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcra.2025.100367.
– Marchesi, L., Marchesi, M., & Tonelli, R. (2025). A survey on Cryptoagility and Agile Practices in the light of quantum resistance. Information and Software Technology, 178, 107604. DOI: 10.1016/j.infsof.2024.107604.
2024
– Marchesi, L., Lunesu, M. I., & Marchesi, M. (2024). Simulating an Agri-Food DApp System. In Proceedings of SANER-C 2024, pp. 54–63. DOI: 10.1109/SANER-C62648.2024.00012.
– Marchesi, L., Lunesu, M. I., & Tonelli, R. (2024). Blockchain Technology for Certifying Waste Management within the Digital Transformation for Industry and SME. In UMAP Adjunct ’24, pp. 415–418. ACM. DOI: 10.1145/3631700.3665588.
– Marchesi, L., Marchesi, M., & Tonelli, R. (2024). Reviewing Crypto-Agility and Quantum Resistance in the Light of Agile Practices. In Agile Processes in Software Engineering and Extreme Programming – Workshops, pp. 213–221. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-48550-3_21.
– Salzano, F., Marchesi, L., Pareschi, R., & Tonelli, R. (2024). Integrating Blockchain Technology within an Information Ecosystem. Blockchain: Research and Applications, 5, 100225. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcra.2024.100225.
2023
– Marchesi, L. (2023). Using Django Framework and DLT for Drug Supply Chain Management. In IEEE DAPPS 2023, pp. 94–99. DOI: 10.1109/DAPPS57946.2023.00021.
– Salzano, F., Pareschi, R., Marchesi, L., & Tonelli, R. (2023). Blockchain-based Information Ecosystems. In Proceedings of the Fifth Distributed Ledger Technology Workshop, CEUR Workshop Proceedings 3460.
– Marchesi, L. (2023). Automatic Generation of a Blockchain-Based Drug Supply Chain Management System. In IEEE/ACM WETSEB 2023, pp. 25–32. DOI: 10.1109/WETSEB59161.2023.00009.
– Di Francesco, M., Marchesi, L., & Porcu, R. (2023). KryptoSafe: Managing and Trading Data Sets Using Blockchain and IPFS. In IEEE/ACM WETSEB 2023, pp. 5–8. DOI: 10.1109/WETSEB59161.2023.00006.
2022
– Serra, P., Fancello, G., Tonelli, R., & Marchesi, L. (2022). Application Prospects of Blockchain Technology to Support the Development of Interport Communities. Computers, 11, 60. DOI: 10.3390/computers11050060.
– Marchesi, L., Mannaro, K., Marchesi, M., & Tonelli, R. (2022). Automatic Generation of Ethereum-Based Smart Contracts for Agri-Food Traceability System. IEEE Access, 10, 50363–50383. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3171045.
– Marchesi, L., Marchesi, M., Tonelli, R., & Lunesu, M. I. (2022). A Blockchain Architecture for Industrial Applications. Blockchain: Research and Applications, 3, 100088. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcra.2022.100088.
2021
– Serra, P., Fancello, G., Tonelli, R., & Marchesi, L. (2021). Can the Blockchain Facilitate the Development of an Interport Community? In ICCSA 2021, pp. 240–251. Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-87016-4_18.
– Lunesu, M. I., Tonelli, R., Marchesi, L., & Marchesi, M. (2021). Assessing the Risk of Software Development in Agile Methodologies Using Simulation. IEEE Access, 9, 134240–134258. DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3115941.
– Marchesi, L., Mannaro, K., & Porcu, R. (2021). Automatic Generation of Blockchain Agri-Food Traceability Systems. In IEEE/ACM WETSEB 2021, pp. 41–48. DOI: 10.1109/WETSEB52558.2021.00013.
2020
– Marchesi, M., Marchesi, L., Uras, N., & Tonelli, R. (2020). Forecasting Bitcoin Closing Price Series Using Linear Regression and Neural Networks Models. PeerJ Computer Science, 6, e279. DOI: 10.7717/peerj-cs.279.
– Marchesi, L., Marchesi, M., & Tonelli, R. (2020). ABCDE – Agile Blockchain DApp Engineering. Blockchain: Research and Applications, 1, 100002. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcra.2020.100002.
– Marchesi, L., Marchesi, M., Destefanis, G., Barabino, G., & Tigano, D. (2020). Design Patterns for Gas Optimization in Ethereum. In IEEE IWBOSE 2020, pp. 9–15. DOI: 10.1109/IWBOSE50093.2020.9050163.
2018
– Corriga, A., Cusimano, S., Malloci, F., Marchesi, L., & Reforgiato Recupero, D. (2018). Leveraging Cognitive Computing for Gender and Emotion Detection. In Proceedings of the 4th Workshop on Sentic Computing, CEUR Workshop Proceedings 2111, pp. 47–56.
– Fenu, G., Marchesi, L., Marchesi, M., & Tonelli, R. (2018). The ICO Phenomenon and Its Relationships with Ethereum Smart Contract Environment. In IEEE IWBOSE 2018, pp. 26–32. DOI: 10.1109/IWBOSE.2018.8327568.
– Marchesi, M., Marchesi, L., & Tonelli, R. (2018). An Agile Software Engineering Method to Design Blockchain Applications. In CEE-SECR 2018, pp. 1–8. ACM. DOI: 10.1145/3290621.3290627. Markdown incollato