Established in 2013 by the Strazzabosco family in memory of Dott. Ing. Franco Strazzabosco, this award is a tribute to the entrepreneurial courage of Italian engineers who strive to apply scientific discoveries to the public advantage.
We are thrilled to congratulate the outstanding finalists of the 2024 edition:
Claudia Cea
Michele Cotrufo
Giulia Guidetti
Learn about their groundbreaking research at the Symposium on October 30, 9:45am PST, chaired by Prof. Andrea Alù, City University of New York. Register here!
The winner of the award will be revealed at the ISSNAF Annual Event on November 14, 2024, in Washington DC.
CLAUDIA CEA
Claudia Cea is set to join Yale University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. She earned her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pisa and later completed her M.Sc. in Bioengineering in San Diego, where she concentrated on creating innovative origami-based neural probes for epidural and intradural recording, as well as neurotransmitter detection. Claudia then pursued her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering at Columbia University, focusing on the development of fast, sensitive soft bioelectronics designed to interface with neural tissue signals. A highlight of her work includes the invention of the first fully flexible, standalone neuroelectronic devices utilizing organic electrochemical transistors. These devices, made entirely from soft, biocompatible materials, integrate a power supply and data transmission system, enabling high-resolution recordings. Currently, she serves as a postdoctoral associate in the Bioelectronics group led by Professor Polina Anikeeva at MIT, where she is advancing novel soft bioelectronic devices to investigate electrophysiology within the gut-brain axis.
Research Focus
In my research, I pioneered the development of the first fully flexible, standalone neural recording device, composed entirely of soft, biocompatible materials. This innovative device integrates a power supply, on-chip data processing circuits, and a data transmission module, allowing for recordings with spatiotemporal resolution at the level of individual neurons and enabling real-time detection of epileptic discharges (Cea et al., Nature Materials, 2020). A key feature of this system is its wireless data and power transfer, which operates using a novel ion-based communication method that leverages the body's ions to transmit signals through intact tissues. This advancement allowed me to power and communicate with the device wirelessly over a distance while the subject was in motion.
Unlike conventional silicon-based devices that often lack flexibility and biocompatibility, every component of my device is made from soft, biocompatible polymers. This fully conformable implant enables the recording and transmission of high-resolution neural activity from both the cortical surface and deeper brain regions (Cea et al., Nature Materials, 2023). For patients with epilepsy, this innovation addresses the limitations of existing neurostimulation devices by facilitating real-time detection of epileptic discharges in vivo, surpassing traditional methods that rely on bandpass filters or amplitude thresholding of previously acquired data.
About me
My fascination with the biomedical field began during my childhood, inspired by the popular TV show "House M.D." that I watched with my brother. Although I was captivated by the world of medicine, my fear of needles prompted me to explore a different path. I thought, if I can't become a doctor, I can at least design the tools they rely on. This determination led me to develop devices that conform to the brain like a second skin—minimally invasive and nearly imperceptible as foreign objects.
I am proud to have been recognized in the 2024 MIT Review 35 Under 35 Innovators List for creating the first fully flexible system made of ion-based transistors for human-computer interfaces.
MICHELE COTRUFO
Michele Cotrufo is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, USA. He earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics from the University of Bari (2010) and the University of Padova (2012), both in Italy. Following his master’s studies, he pursued a Ph.D. at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, where he explored novel light-matter interactions in nanophotonics. After graduating in 2017, he conducted postdoctoral research at UT Austin and the CUNY Advanced Science Research Center in New York City, before joining the University of Rochester in 2023.
Dr. Cotrufo’s research centers on metamaterials—artificially engineered materials that exhibit optical properties unattainable in bulk substances. His work spans a wide range of applications, including analog computation, electromagnetic nonreciprocity, control of spontaneous and thermal emission, and the efficient generation of quantum light. He has authored or co-authored over 40 journal articles and two book chapters, and he holds three patents as a co-inventor.
His accolades include the Rubicon Fellowship from the Dutch Research Council, awarded in 2018 to support young scientists in gaining international experience, and the MDPI Photonics Young Investigator Award in 2023.
Research Focus
The information processing and communication sectors in the U.S. account for 5-10% of total energy consumption, a figure with significant environmental implications. As we look toward the next generation of optoelectronic devices—ranging from smartphones to large data centers—it is imperative to develop techniques that substantially reduce computational energy costs. Analog optical computing presents a promising approach by encoding data onto structured electromagnetic waves. However, to fully harness the potential of optical computing, we must create materials capable of on-demand, complex optical responses.
My research on optical metamaterials directly addresses these critical challenges. Metamaterials are engineered materials composed of numerous sub-wavelength inclusions, such as holes and pillars, allowing for precise control over their optical properties through morphological adjustments. Recently, I have demonstrated various types of optical metamaterials capable of performing analog and bias-free computational tasks. Notably, I have shown that ultra-thin metamaterials, known as metasurfaces, can execute spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal mathematical operations without requiring any electrical bias.
These innovative devices can perform computational functions such as edge enhancement, event detection, and signal routing with almost zero energy consumption. This advancement has the potential to significantly reduce energy waste associated with technologies like self-driving cars, neural networks, and neuromorphic computing.
About me
I am a first-generation college student hailing from Matera, a charming town in southern Italy. After completing my undergraduate studies in Italy, I embarked on an international journey for further education and research, first in the Netherlands and now in the U.S., where I recently joined the Institute of Optics in Rochester. My passion for optics and photonics drives my excitement about their potential to address some of society's most pressing challenges. When I'm not in the lab experimenting with lasers, you can find me exploring the beautiful hiking and biking trails of the Rochester region with my partner, Erin. I also enjoy cultivating my gardening skills and indulging in intricately designed board games.
GIULIA GUIDETTI
Giulia serves as the Deputy Director of Silklab and is a Research Assistant Professor at Tufts University, where she teaches undergraduate optics courses. She earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Cambridge (UK) and holds both a BSc and MSc in Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology from Politecnico di Milano (Italy).
Her research focuses on light management in natural systems, encompassing biophotonic structures, multiscale imaging, spectroscopy, and optical modeling. Giulia received a prestigious W.M. Keck Foundation Science and Engineering Research Grant to investigate the structure-function relationships in plants that thrive in darkness, aiming to develop bioinspired strategies for solar energy harvesting.
As a scientific co-founder of the startup Barlume, she is dedicated to creating coral-reef-safe sunscreens and has filed several patent applications in the fields of biomaterials and radiation management. With over 28 peer-reviewed publications to her name, Giulia is also an active reviewer for multiple scientific journals. Her work has been featured on the covers of esteemed journals such as Science Advances, PNAS, and Advanced Optical Materials, and has garnered attention from international media outlets.
In addition to her research endeavors, Giulia co-developed K-12 educational programs focused on bioinspired materials and sustainability and regularly engages in outreach initiatives throughout the greater Boston area.
Research Focus
Giulia's research investigates the innovative ways nature manages light, with the goal of developing sustainable energy solutions. She is currently focused on specific species of orchids that thrive in low-light environments while efficiently capturing and utilizing light. These remarkable plants feature leaves adorned with “living optical networks”—structures composed of tiny lens-like elements that evenly distribute light across their surfaces, enhancing their ability to convert light into energy.
By studying the materials and structures responsible for this natural process, Giulia is working to create new, flexible solar materials known as "solar skins." These solar skins aim to address some of the key limitations of traditional solar panels, such as inefficient light collection and lack of flexibility. Crafted from environmentally friendly, water-based materials, these innovative solar skins could be applied in a variety of contexts, from buildings to wearable devices, thereby contributing to efforts against climate change by providing cleaner and more efficient energy solutions.
This research not only offers a novel approach to harnessing energy sustainably and adaptively but also challenges existing perceptions of how plants manage light. It opens the door to transformative, nature-inspired technologies that could revolutionize our energy production and consumption methods.
About me
Giulia is fueled by a deep-seated curiosity about the intricate beauty of nature’s colorful and reflective phenomena. She seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind the striking visual effects found in the natural world, from the vibrant blue of butterfly wings to the dynamic hues of octopus skin and the reflective layers in cow eyes. These mesmerizing displays arise from the sophisticated hierarchical arrangement of biomaterials, serving as fingerprints of structural assembly. If you’re looking for Giulia, you’ll likely find her at the microscope, captivated by the allure of a shimmering specimen as she delves into its hidden secrets.
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