Grace Xerri is a Ph.D. Candidate in Industrial Engineering at the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata for which she participates in European-funded projects aimed at improving CBRN training, preparedness and response capabilities in Europe.

She holds a M.Sc. in ‘Protection Against CBRNe Events’ from the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

She also has a M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University (Philadelphia) and a B.A. in Media Studies from The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.).

Her research interests focus on the implementation of Extended Reality (XR) technologies in CBRNe training and education to improve civil protection in emergencies, increase societal awareness and communication, and enhance overall global resilience.

She has extensive experience in program management, international education, and strategic development. Grace has been employed at various education and research institutions, international NGOs, and has assisted in the organization of various workshops and conferences. She is originally from the United States but has been residing in Italy for almost 10 years and is fluent in Italian.