Team

Since 2022, Prof Pecchia is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and founder the ‘Intelligent Technologies for Health’ laboratory, after 15 years between the UK (Uny of Sheffield, Uny of Nottingham, Uny of Warwick) and the WHO (Innovation Manager IPC unit, 2020-23). He is a member of the Ministry of Health Health Technical Committee, past-president of the European Society of Biomedical Engineering (EAMBES), and Secretary General of the world one (IFMBE).

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pecchia/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=VtMBzjYAAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao

Mario is a tenure track researcher in Biomedical Engineering at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, he is specialized in AI for healthcare. He has authored 50+ papers, supervised numerous students, and led research projects on Deep Learning, NLP, and IoT for medical applications.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-merone-a797598a/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=sx39vMkAAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao

Joseph Lovecchio, double PhD in Biomedical Engineering (“Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna” and at “Reykjavik University”), research tissue engineering and biomaterials. He has led projects on bioreactors, 3D scaffolds, and AI-based diagnostics, securing major grants. He lectures internationally and collaborates with top research institutions.

• Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/in/joseph-lovecchio-894014327
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=fbQqWG0AAAAJ&hl=it

Federico, PhD in Information Technology in Biomedicine, is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma. He specializes in AI, deep learning, and signal processing for digital health and energy management. Federico joined the lab in 2025.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/federico-d-antoni-2292ba175/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qSnO1fwAAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao

Luca, PhD in Information Technology for Biomedicine, is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma. He specializes in AI, time series analysis, and NLP, with applications in health and finance.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-bacco93/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Aw4cEzMAAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao

Graduated in Telecommunication Engineering, Filippo is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with large experience in innovation and translation of AI-enhanced innovation. He started several spin-off and SME around digital technologies and is supporting the lab in strengthening its innovation pipeline.
Filippo joined the lab in June 2024.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filippocrispino/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=lAqp1R4AAAAJ

Graduated in Translational Medicine Research with a PhD in Pharmacy, Karina is an expert in multifunctional nanoparticles for the theranosis (therapy + diagnosis) of various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Her multidisciplinary research has led to the publication of several peer-reviewed articles and grant applications. Karina joined the lab in May 2024.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-ovejero-paredes-b4077431b/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0cELfjwAAAAJ

Margherita is a Biomedical Engineer who focuses on EEG/MEG signal analysis and tools for pediatric epilepsy and AI for Eye/Heart Rare Diseases. Her work on brain imaging focuses on brain connectivity and source identification in collaboration with the Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center of Cook Children’s Hospital (PI: Dr. Christos Papadelis). Dr. Matarrese joined the Lab in December 2023.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margherita-matarrese-43b503184/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=a8JSK0EAAAAJ&hl=it

Lorenzo is a Biomedical Engineer who focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and distributed systems, such as blockchain technologies, to enhance industrial supply chains and healthcare applications. His work includes integrating IoT, edge computing, and AI for healthcare. He joined the lab in November 2024.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzo-petrosino-1ba94120a/

Lemlem Abate Degafu graduated in Clinical Engineering in Ethiopia and got an MBA. In 2022, she moved to Italy for a Master’s in Bioengineering in Ancona and then a PhD in Rome in 2023. Lemlem worked for the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia, where she also launched an organization focusing on increasing the profile of women working in clinical engineering. Her project is now focused on AI methods and tools for improving Health Technology Management systems in limited resource settings. Lemlem joined the lab in November

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lemlem-degafu-abate-05331393/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=sIAV4FQAAAAJ

Graduated in Biomedical Engineering, Tamara’s project is now focused on the design and implementation of PoC for metabolic conditions, also in relation to limited resource settings, under the joint supervision of Prof Vincenzo Piemonte and Prof Leandro Pecchia. Tamara joined the lab in November 2022.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-boscarino-566b141b3//
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=C51hEogAAAAJ

Nahimiya graduated in Clinical Engineering in Ethiopia and got an MBA. In 2021, he moved to Italy to obtain a Master’s in Bioengineering in Ancona and start a PhD in Rome in 2022. Nahimiya has extensive experience in clinical engineering and health innovation. His project is now focused on redesigning oxygen concentrators for the reuse of regenerated zeolites and spare parts using a circular economy approach. Nahimiya joined the lab in November 2022.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahimiya-h-850b2037/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=JzfY5qEAAAAJ

Graduated in biomedical engineering, Maria Elisabetta’s project is focused on AI-enhanced signal and image processing for rare diseases of the heart and eye under the supervision of Prof. Paolo Melillo and Prof Leandro Pecchia. Maria Elisabetta joined the lab in November 2023.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-elisabetta-pagnano-1bb3981b6/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ZgujFlQAAAAJ

Graduated in biomedical engineering, Martina’s project is focused on remote shoulder rehabilitation using AI and computer vision, under the supervision of Prof. Giuseppe Umile Longo and Prof. Leandro Pecchia. Martina joined the lab in November 2022.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-sassi-6616621a3/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=f0oPtboAAAAJ

Graduated in Computer Science, Jacopo project is now focused on AI for Autonomic Nervous System activity monitoring, under joined supervision of Prof Giovanni Di Pino and Prof Leandro Pecchia. Jacopo is working across different projects, developing novel AI methods and tools for different health issues, from rare diseases of the heart and eye to soft-tissue cancer. Jacopo joined the lab in February 2023.

• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jacopo-vitale96
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HnOZ1UUAAAAJ

Graduated in Smart Systems Engineering, Agnese’s project focuses on optimizing RAG-Enhanced Generative AI for precise medical record retrieval, developing an advanced model for Rare Diseases knowledge management, under the supervision of Prof. Leandro Pecchia. She joined the lab in June 2024, and started her PhD in November 2024.

• Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/agnese-bonfigli

Graduated in biomedical engineering, Alberto’s research and projects focuses on AI and ML approches to monitor and prevent hospital infections and to predict blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. These research topics are supervised by Dr. Mario Merone and Prof. Leandro Pecchia. He joined the laboratory in 2024.

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-m-d-g/

Graduated in biomedical engineering, Claudia’s project focuses on ECG-based non-invasive monitoring of glycemia and calcaemia for integrated health management using edge computing technology under the supervision of Prof. Leandro Pecchia. She joined the lab in November 2024.

• Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-ferraro15

Graduated in Human Biology Engineering/Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, Jiras’ project focuses on using genetic engineering, AI and IoT for fighting against vector-borne diseases, under the supervision of Prof. Leandro Pecchia and Prof. Casimir Akpovi. He joined the lab in November 2024.

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiras-casimir-kp%C3%A9go-ligan-493163231/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wnJmdgoAAAAJ&hl=fr

Graduated in biomedical engineering, Ruben’s project focuses on AI-guided mapping of epileptic brain networks to enhance precision in epileptogenic zone estimation, under the supervision of Prof. Simonetta Filippi, Prof. Christos Papadelis and Dr. Margherita Matarrese. He joined the lab in November 2024.

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-piperno1/

Having graduated in Medicine, Marianna is now a resident in public health while pursuing her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Pecchia.. Marianna has been involved in several projects with the WHO IPC unit during COVID-19 and with the WHO medical device unit for the writing of the WHO guidelines on Medical Device donations. Marianna is championing a new generation of medical doctors with experience in biomedical engineering and global health, mirroring Prof Pecchia background. She joined the lab in September 2024.

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianna-zarro-b90518253/

Graduated in Medicine, Simone is at the last year of resident program in Cardiology. He is going to start his PhD in our lab from the 1st of November focusing on our projects exploring how enabling technologies such as AI, IoT and big-data can revoluzionise the management of patients affected by Congestive Heart Failure.

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-pasquale-crispino/

Marta holds a MSc in Biomedical Engineering from Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, where she graduated with top honors in July 2024. Marta’s academic background is supported by a solid foundation in engineering, with skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and programming. Marta joined the lab in January 2025 as a Project Manager.

• Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-maria-romano-841024203/

Sara holds a MSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Padova, where she graduated in December 2024. With a solid engineering background, she has developed skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. Sara joins the team in March 2025 as a Project Manager, working on Afya Moja, a project focused on strengthening capacities in health technologies in Africa.

• Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/saracinelli