Dr. Sottara obtained his Ph.D. in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Bologna, specializing in applied Artificial Intelligence, working on hybrid intelligent systems, integrating data mining and predictive analytics techniques, logic-based systems, uncertain reasoning and semantic web technologies.

Dr. Sottara started his scientific career working in the Evironmental Science Domain, applying AI techniques to the modeling and implementation of environmental decision support systems, in collaboration with the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA)

Since the beginning of his Ph.D., he has also been an active member of several open source software communities. In particular, he served both as a community contributor and a scientific advisor for the business logic and knowledge integration platform “Drools”, maintained by JBoss.

Dr. Sottara is also actively involved in Standards Defining Organizations such as HL7 and the Object Management Group, where he focuses on the standardization and exchange of clinical data and knowledge.

After joining ASU, Dr. Sottara has been collaborating closely with Mayo Clinic. Playing the role of knowledge engineer/architect, he focuses in the development of knowledge-based software applications for physicians at the point of care, specifically in the fields of colorectal oncology and cardiology.