Visiting Scholar, Polytechnic University of Milan / IUSS Pavia, Italy
Izabella joined CBE as a Visiting Scholar in February 2026 under the supervision of Prof. Stefano Schiavon. She is pursuing a PhD in Sustainable Development and Climate Change – Technology and Territory at IUSS Pavia and Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy.
Her research focuses on innovative passive cooling strategies and IEQ in naturally ventilated buildings, with emphasis on mixed-mode ventilation with automated energy-efficient devices. Drawing on field measurements from a case study building at Polimi, her research at CBE leverages the center’s expertise in data analysis for air movement and thermal comfort to evaluate the performance of ceiling fans, air extractors, and window actuators, optimize their activation schedules, and develop control logic that accounts for occupant behavior and manual overrides to reduce reliance on active cooling whenever possible.
Her broader interests include climate-resilient architecture, occupant-centered design, and the translation of field evidence into practical guidance for net-zero-energy mixed-mode buildings.