Dr. Mazzoleni is interested in dynamics, vibrations, solid mechanics, nonlinear systems, astronautics, spacecraft design, biomechanics, and renewable energy (e.g. marine hydrokinetic systems).  He is the Director of the Engineering Mechanics and Space Systems Laboratory (EMSSL) at NC State.

At the graduate level, Dr. Mazzoleni teaches Advanced Dynamics I (MAE 511), Advanced Dynamics II (MAE 789), and Space Exploration Systems (MAE 470/570). The advanced dynamics courses cover: rotating coordinate systems, Euler angles, Euler paraemters, Quaternions, three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics, angular momentum methods, and analytical mechanics topics (e.g. Lagrange’s equations, Kane’s equations, Liapunov Stability). Examples are concentrated in the area of aerospace vehicles, but the methods learned will be applicable to land-based vehicles and any engineering system undergoing rigid body rotation, e.g. wind turbines, marine hydrokinetic systems, biomechanical systems, machine tools, robotic systems, etc. The Space Exploration Systems course covers basic orbital mechanics topics, as well as giving an introduction to all of the major systems involved with sending humans and robotic vehicles into space (e.g. propulsion systems, attitude controls systems, life support systems, etc.).  At the undergraduate level, Dr. Mazzoleni has taught the Space option of Aerospace Senior Design (MAE 480 and MAE 481), Introduction to Space Flight (MAE 467), and also teaches introductory courses in Engineering Mechanics (Dynamics, Solid Mechanics, etc.). Dr. Mazzoleni works closely with his graduate students, and starting from first principles, he instills in them an understanding of a practical problem-solving approach. His students are motivated and interested in dynamics, space exploration, renewable energy, and biomedical engineering. Outside of work, Dr. Mazzoleni spends time with his family and enjoys hiking, fishing, basketball, and playing the piano.