Welcome to a new edition of “Meet the Team”
In this new edition of Meet the Team, we’re pleased to introduce Davide Pirolo, Software Engineer at ProtoQSAR Italia. His background combines training in computer science with experience in software development and a strong interest in technology applied to scientific contexts, particularly in the field of computational chemistry and predictive modelling.
Academic background and professional experience
Davide holds a degree in Computer Science from the Universidad de Milán Bicocca and he recently completed a Master’s in Computer Science at the Universidad de Pisa, with a specialization in the ICT Solution Architect track. His master’s thesis focused on the applications of Taproot Scripts to enhance functionality within the Bitcoin ecosystem — a project that brought together security, cryptography, and software development.
During his master’s studies, he worked as a software developer at Tutornow, where he was mainly responsible for backend development and data management. This experience allowed him to apply his academic knowledge in a real-world setting, tackle various technical challenges, and develop scalable and efficient solutions tailored to specific needs.
His role at ProtoQSAR
Since joining ProtoQSAR, Davide has served as a Software Engineer, taking part in the full development cycle — from the initial conceptualization of tools to their implementation, validation, and maintenance. He is currently involved in the development of VEGA, an open-source QSAR platform created in collaboration with the Mario Negri Institute, and contributes to the improvement of internal tools used across various company projects. His work plays a direct role in advancing digital solutions for research and computational toxicology.
What he enjoys most about his work
Davide enjoys tackling complex problems. He finds motivation in identifying efficient solutions, especially during the early stages of development, where design and technical definition set the direction of the project. Although he does not come from a chemistry or biotechnology background, he sees great value in learning about this field and discovering how his programming and systems expertise can contribute to such a specialized area. For him, this experience represents a constant opportunity for professional growth and learning beyond his comfort zone.
Beyond ProtoQSAR: hobbies and personal interests
Outside the tech world, Davide feels a deep connection with the mountains. He enjoys activities like climbing, hiking, or simply being in nature, which he sees as a space to recharge and disconnect. He is also very interested in social and community work. For years, he has been involved as a Scout educator, an experience that has helped him develop leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility toward his environment.
Among his personal recommendations are the film Nomadland, the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and the song Davanti a te by the Italian singer-songwriter Fulminacci.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Davide a little better.
