Arianna Menciassi

Arianna Menciassi is a Full Professor of Biomedical Robotics at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (SSSA) in Pisa, Italy, and leads the Surgical Robotics & Allied Technologies Area at the BioRobotics Institute. She serves as Vice-Rector of SSSA and Coordinator of the PhD in Biorobotics program. Her research focuses on surgical robotics, microrobotics for biomedical applications, and biomechatronic artificial organs. Notable contributions include advancements in robotic-assisted focused ultrasound therapy, smart prosthetic designs, and magnetic-based drug delivery systems.

Education:

• Bachelor's in Physics, University of Pisa (1995)
• PhD from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (1999)

Research Interests: Combining robotics with targeted therapies, wireless solutions (ultrasound/magnetic), and soft robotics for medical devices. Key innovations include adaptive prosthetic sockets, biohybrid artificial organs, and robotic platforms for endovascular interventions. Her work emphasizes clinical translation and global health applications, such as the low-cost placenta simulator developed in collaboration with Ethiopian institutions.

Awards:

• Well-tech Award (2010s) for endoscopic capsule research
• Gonfalone D'Argento (2010s) as top 10 young talent in Tuscany
• KUKA Innovation Award (2020s) for robotic focused ultrasound advancements

Advancing Technologies: Her lab develops autonomous navigation systems for endovascular procedures, AI-aided robotic platforms for ultrasound-guided surgeries, and proprioceptive catheters for safer interventions. Ongoing projects include the FUtuRo initiative integrating robotics, simulation, and augmented reality for focused ultrasound surgery.

Editorial & Leadership Roles: Editor of APL Bioengineering, IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics, and Soft Robotics. Co-Chair of the IEEE Technical Committee on Surgical Robotics, and member of the iSMIT Steering Committee.