Research Engineer
Stefano Cassola
Bridging mechanical engineering with AI — from motorsport tires to flow field prediction with neural networks.
About Me
Mechanical engineer with a unique trajectory spanning 4 years of hands-on motorsport tire development at Goodyear-Dunlop and 6+ years of research at Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW). Currently completing a PhD at RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau focused on using machine learning — specifically CNNs and Fourier Neural Operators — to predict 3D flow velocity fields in fibrous microstructures. Combines deep domain expertise in composite materials processing with modern ML/AI methods, high-performance computing, and CFD simulation. DAAD scholarship recipient with international research experience at the University of Delaware.
Professional Experience
April 2020 — Present
Research Assistant — Process Simulation / PhD Candidate
Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW)
Kaiserslautern, Germany
Dec 2023 — Jan 2024
Visiting Researcher
Center for Composite Materials (CCM), University of Delaware
Newark, DE, USA
June 2016 — March 2020
Development Engineer — Motorsport Tires
Goodyear-Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH
Hanau, Germany
Sep 2015 — Feb 2016
Work and Travel
Australia & Southeast Asia
Australia / Southeast Asia
Oct 2014 — Jun 2015
Student Research Assistant
Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW)
Kaiserslautern, Germany
Jan 2014 — Jul 2014
Intern — Chassis Development
BMW AG Motorrad
Munich, Germany
Mar 2010 — Nov 2013
Mechanic (Working Student)
Waldemar Löser GmbH & Co. KG
Speyer, Germany
Publications
Machine Learning for Polymer Composites Process Simulation — a Review
S. Cassola, T. Schmidt, M. Duhovic, D. May
Composites Part B
Microscale domain permeability prediction of fiber reinforcement structures based on the lattice Boltzmann method and machine learning
M. Novitska, S. Cassola, T. Schmidt, M. Duhovic, B. I. Basok, D. May
Journal of Porous Media
Physics informed neural networks for permeability predictions of fibrous microstructures
D. Korolev, S. Cassola (Speaker), M. Hintermüller, T. Schmidt, M. Duhovic, D. May
Artificial Intelligence in Material Science and Engineering, Saarbrücken
Simulating the hot press processing of structural thermoplastic foams
S. Cassola, M. Duhovic, M. Salmins, P. Mitschang
14th European LS-DYNA Users Conference, Baden-Baden
Towards Faster 3D Simulations of CFRTP Induction Welding
M. Duhovic, S. Cassola, T. Hoffmann, P. Mitschang
16th LS-DYNA Forum, Bamberg
Forming and spring-back simulation of CF-PEEK tape preforms
S. Cassola, M. Duhovic, D. Schommer, J. Weber, J. Schlimbach, J. Hausmann
13th European LS-DYNA Users Conference, Ulm
Education & Certificates
PhD in Mechanical Engineering
RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau
April 2020 — Present (expected Sep 2026)
Research at IVW. Topic: Flow field prediction in fibrous microstructures using machine learning.
Diploma in Mechanical and Process Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.)
University of Kaiserslautern (now RPTU)
October 2008 — September 2015
Specialization: Vehicle and Energy Technology. Grade: 1.6 (very good). Equivalent to combined BSc + MSc. Thesis (1.0): "Analysis of Textile Behavior of Carbon Fiber Fabrics during Continuous Preforming".
Continuing Education
Ask My AI Assistant
Powered by Claude. It knows my full background and can assess fit for your open positions.
Before we chat
This chatbot uses Claude AI (Anthropic) to answer your questions. Your messages are sent to Anthropic’s servers for processing. Conversations may be logged anonymously (no IP, no personal data) to improve this service. Logs are deleted after 90 days.
Read full privacy policyGet in Touch
stefano.cassola@web.de
Stefano Cassola
GitHub
stefanoCassola
Location
Kaiserslautern area, Germany