He is the Academic Director of Carleton University's Centre for International Migration and Settlement Study (CIMSS). He obtained his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sociology from University of Rome (Italy). He received his PhD in Sociology from Carleton University in 1997. His research areas include: Settlement and Integration of Immigrants and Refugees; Intrapersonal, Interpersonal and Societal Factors Influencing Helping Behavior and Helping Relationships; Formal Volunteering; Trust Building, and cross-Cultural Communication.