About us

Christoph is a Professor of Bionanotechnology and his research interests include the development of electronic (and other) biosensors – in particular for infection diagnostics with a focus on AMR (antimicrobial resistance) – and exploiting molecular self-assembly for applications such as molecular data storage. Christoph studied Physics at ETH Zürich, Switzerland, and received his PhD in 2000 for his work on the symmetry of the order parameter in the heavy-electron superconductor UBe13. In 2001 he was awarded a Swiss Marie-Curie Fellowship to work on the self-assembly of molecular complexes using DNA at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. In 2004, I was awarded an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship and joined the University of Leeds where I set up the Bioelectronics Laboratory.

Virginia is an Associate Professor of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, and her research currently focuses on developing technologies for fertility treatments.
Virginia is committed to educating engineers, scientists, and the public on health risks related to lifestyle, environmental toxins, and regulatory gaps. Virginia graduated in Electronic Engineering at the Universita’ di Pisa in 2004 and then received a PhD in Humanoid Technologies from the Universita’ di Genova and the Italian Institute of Technology. Virignia held research positions at Waseda University in Tokyo and at Vanderbilt University. Virginia is now co-founder and CEO of IVFmicro ltd, a Spin off of the University of Leeds.

Paolo is a Professor in Bionanotechnology and after graduating in 2008 with a PhD from the Grenoble Institute of Technology (FR), Paolo spent 4 years in California working on his tan at NASA Ames (US) and UC Santa Cruz (US) before crossing the pond again to lose his tan at Imperial College London (UK). Paolo then spent two years at Bio Nano Consulting as a Consultant & Project Manager. Paolo loves gardening and cooking (I make the best Lasagna this side of the Channel) and I used to play beach volleyball, surf and practice Krav Maga (with very mediocre results). I am massive Juventus fan !

Tim graduated from his PhD in 2023 from the University of Leeds, where he developed a novel approach for measuring small molecules, specifically beta-lactam antibiotics. His work now is focused on the analytical validation and commercialisation of his developed meropenem assay and underpinning technology, and the clinical adoption of therapeutic drug monitoring for antibiotics and other small molecule drugs.

Chalmers earned a PhD in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Leeds working on single molecule analysis using solid-state nanopores and single cell manipulation with scanning probe microscopy. Chalmers work is now focused on developing innovating nanopore approaches for studying ribosome specialization as part of the Ribocode project. Chalmers enjoys bouldering and sponsoring guide dog puppies through Guide Dogs UK. He also enjoys visiting zoos, IKEA and cinemas. Penguins and giraffes are particularly fascinating to him – they are “giraffic”.

Rosa earned her PhD from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham in 2018, where she developed carbohydrate recognition elements for drug delivery. She was subsequently awarded a two-year EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellowship, expanding her research into new antimicrobial strategies. In 2020, she joined the University of Leeds as a Research Fellow, where she has developed expertise in membrane biophysics and bioengineering. She is currently working on an EPSRC PBIAA project focused on developing in vitro diagnostic assays and devices for penicillin therapeutic drug monitoring to tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Parisa graduated from Sharif University of Technology in 2023 with a PhD degree in biomedical engineering. She developed bioactive hydrogels for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, specifically regenerative endodontics. Her current work focuses on harnessing novel biomaterials to enhance in vitro modelling approaches, including organ-on-chips and organoids, in reproductive bioscience.

Dela isa postdoctoral research fellow focusing on 3D cultures using microfluidics technology to develop organ-on-a-chip models of healthy and diseased tissues to understand biological mechanisms, aid in diagnostic methods, and facilitate the testing of new therapeutic strategies.

Zijing is a PhD candidate specializing in electronic and electrical engineering, focusing on microfluidic skin-on-chip technologies development.

Eren is pursuing a PhD focused on detecting antigen-specific T cells to assess the remaining immunity of patients for vaccination management. My research involves surface functionalisation to capture and analyse these cells in a microfluidic device, with the goal of improving immune monitoring strategies.

Harry graduated in Biomedical Science from The University of Warwick in 2020 and Molecular Medicine from University of York in 2021. He then worked in a lung research lab at The University of Cambridge before starting a PhD in the MRC DiMeN DTP in October 2024. He is co-supervised by Dr Eric Hewitt & Professor Sheena Radford in the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Dr Paolo Actis in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, building on an exciting collaboration to utilise nanoinjection as a tool to study alpha-synuclein amyloid toxicity inside neurons.

Deanna graduated from the University of Worcester in 2017, studying for a BSc Biochemistry. She has extensive experience in the biotechnology industry, working on oncolytic viruses, gene therapy, and vaccine development. Currently, doing a PhD with her supervisors, Dr Paolo Actis and Dr Julie Aspden, as part of the RiboCode Project. Her PhD focuses on developing innovative nanopore technology to characterise specialised ribosomes.

I studied electronics and computer engineering with an interest in signal processing. Following, I began my PhD with a focus on signal processing, statistics and machine learning pertinent to nanopore signals. I have a major dislike for sand.

Miguel earned his degree in Biotechnology from Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid, Spain. He completed his bachelor's dissertation at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, USA. Following this, he secured a position as an assistant researcher at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Research in Madrid, where he focused on targeted nanovaccination strategies using various nanomaterials. Miguel furthered his education with a Master of Research (MRes) in Nanomaterials from Imperial College London and a Master of Science (MSc) in Nanoscience, Materials and Processes from Universitat Rovira i Virgili. This extensive training equipped him with expertise in electrochemical sensors for malaria and SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Currently, Miguel is working on the development of electrochemical Random Access DNA memory.

Ben has a BSc in Biomedical Science from York St John University and an MSc in Drug Discovery and Development from the University of Leeds. He is currently undertaking a PhD supervised by Professor Christoph Walti where he is investigating small-molecule biosensors for therapeutic drug monitoring. He is a keen golfer and runner as well as a big Manchester United fan.

Serafina studied Natural Sciences, specialising in Physics at the University of York. Here, she became interested in biophysical research through a project focusing on photonic detection of Alzheimer's biomarkers. Under the supervision of Professor Christoph Wälti and Dr Paolo Actis, she is undertaking a PhD project focusing on multiplexing DNA origami for single molecule biomarker detection with a nanopore readout.
In the macroscopic world, Serafina enjoys writing and performing, playing music, reading and being in nature (as well as picking up random, often temporary, other hobbies...)

Martina is holding a double master’s degree in Genetics and Industrial Biotechnology from the Magistère Européen de Génétique and the University of Milano-Bicocca. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Palermo, and is spending time as a visiting researcher, developing and evaluating microfluidic organ-on-chip platform. Martina is also CTO at Nous Energy, a startup that produces alternatives to caffeine. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and climbing.

Chiara is a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Palermo. She earned a MSc from University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, completing her thesis at the Bioengineering Institute of Technology (UIC) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona within the Plasticheal project on regenerative medicine and microphysiological cancer models. Her research focuses on Organ-on-Chip platforms with scaffolds and sensors as animal model alternatives. She enjoys playing piano and guitar, swimming, and the sea.

Gloria earned her Master’s degree in Experimental and Applied Biology at the University of Catania, in Italy. During her studies she became passionate about fertily and biology of reproduction. Now she follow a Post graduate course in Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Pavia. She joined the Bioelectronics Lab for her Erasmus Traineeship, to work in project about the endometrial exposure to BPA. In her free time she loves manicure and trekking.

Giulia earned her degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Pavia in 2024, and now she is attending a post-graduation course in Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology at the same university. Fascinated by the applications of microfluidics in fertility, she joined the University of Leeds for her Erasmus traineeship, to work on a project focused on endometrial exposure to BPA. In her free time, she loves swimming.

Maria Letizia is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering currently undertaking her internship and experimental thesis project at the University of Leeds. Her research focuses on the development and optimisation of a skin-on-chip model, integrating fluid dynamic and permeability analyses on cell cultures grown on electrospun membranes she fabricated herself. After her erasmus at Universidad de Valladolid in Spain, she is now completing her Master’s studies in collaboration with the Bioelectronics Lab at the University of Leeds.
In her free time she enjoys reading, knitting, climbing and swimming.

Sofia is a Master’s student in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Palermo. She became passionate about microfluidic devices during her Erasmus experience at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, Serbia. Now she is completing her academic career with an internship at the Bioelectronics Lab, where she is testing and characterizing membranes and devices she fabricated in Palermo for skin-on-chip applications.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, crocheting, and continuously discovering new hobbies

Lara Maria Di Lorenzo holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Palermo. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the same university. During the first six months of 2025, she took part in the Erasmus program at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece. At present, she is at the University of Leeds, where she is working on her master’s thesis and internship, focusing on the computational and biological study of an organ-on-a-chip. Originally from Palermo, Sicily, Lara enjoys traveling, the sea, running, and good italian food.