Hi 🤠
I am a researcher at the Foundations of Machine Learning Systems group, interested in ML theory & human-AI interaction.
Since the end of 2021 until mid 2026, I have been a PhD student in the same group, supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems (IMPRS-IS). Previously, I was a research intern at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems with Dr. Caterina De Bacco. I hold a MSc in Data Science from the University of Padova and a BSc in Mathematics from “La Sapienza” University of Rome.
Research
I am currently interested in studying human-AI interaction (e.g., social media, recommender systems, chatbots), with a focus on characterizing this relationship both from an ethical and mathematical point of view, as well as understanding its role in affecting human autonomy, privacy and agency. I do so having in mind the EU AI Act as a framework. I recently wrote a short and not-so-complete essay with some of my ideas on the topic.
During my PhD, I have studied how different machine learning problems are interconnected and characterized. Reasoning about supervised learning and data corruption led to a project about Markovian corruption and its associated mitigations. Relating these results to information theory, led to a generalization of the data processing inequality (in preparation). Overall, I aim to find connections across fields, to allow better communication and formal understanding.
I am also keen on studying observed phenomena, e.g. those arising in social sciences. My first steps in academia moved in this direction by using network science, i.e., with influence-spreading models, collective action on Twitter, and community/ranking structures.
More about me
I come from a pre-roman town in Ciociaria, south to Rome (Italy). I strongly believe that science, and life in general, is a social endeavor. I try to promote mental health and support systems in my community through TAPPA; I am also a Mental Health First Aider and a Confidant. I like to support and volunteer for science communication projects like Pint of Science.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me at
laura [dot] iacovissi [at] uni-tuebingen [dot] de
or check out my profiles
Google Scholar (for publications and theses)
Github (for code)
LinkedIn (not for much, but who knows if I'll suddenly become more present online?)