Team
People & Culture
The IHT lab main strength is in the heterogeneity and enthusiasm of the lab team and its wide partnership with scientists, clinicians, biologists, industries and policymakers. At the IHT lab, we like to face complex problems, knowing that the only response to complexity is multidisciplinary.
Currently, the lab team has 13 PhD students, 2 research assistants (RA), 4 post-doctoral research fellows (PDRA), 2 PMs, two PIs, Dr Mario Merone and Dr Joseph Lovecchio, and 1 lab Director, Prof Leandro Pecchia.
The lab will keep growing with 2 PDRAs, 2 Lecturers/Senior Lecturers and new PhD students joining the lab in the coming 6 months.
LAB. HEAD

Landro Pecchia
LAB. HEAD
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pecchia/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=VtMBzjYAAAAJ&hl=it&oi=ao
IT Specialist and AI researcher

Filippo Crispino
CEng
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
Post-Doctoral Research Fellows

Karina Ovejero Paredes
Ph.D.
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 A.G. Matarrese
Ph.D.
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 Petrosino
M.Sc.
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/
PhD Students

Lemlem Degafu Abate
II yr. Ph.D. student
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

Tamara Boscarino
II yr. Ph.D. student
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-boscarino-566b141b3//
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=C51hEogAAAAJ

Nahimiya Husen Ibrahim
II yr. Ph.D. student
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahimiya-h-850b2037/
• Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.it/citations?user=JzfY5qEAAAAJ

Maria Elisabetta Pagnano
I yr. Ph.D. student
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

Martina Sassi
II yr. Ph.D. student
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

Jacopo Vitale
II yr. Ph.D. student
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