Barbara Mazzolai

Barbara Mazzolai is the Associate Director for Robotics and Director of the Bioinspired Soft Robotics Laboratory at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genoa, Italy. She holds a Bachelor's in Biology (University of Pisa) and a Ph.D. in Microsystems Engineering (University of Rome Tor Vergata). Since 2024, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at Politecnico di Milano, teaching Soft Robotics. Her research focuses on bioinspired soft robotics, plant-inspired growing robots, and environmental robotics, with notable projects like the PLANTOID and GrowBot EU initiatives, and the ERC-funded 'I-Wood' project exploring forest intelligence via robotic networks.

Key roles include Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Soft Robotics, membership in the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society’s Administrative Committee, and leadership in major conferences like IEEE RoboSoft. She has authored over 260 publications and popular science books, including La Natura Geniale and Il futuro raccontato dalle piante. Awards include the Italian National Qualification for Full Professor in Bioengineering (2020) and National Geographic Explorer status (2020).

Her lab at IIT develops biohybrid systems and plant-inspired robots for environmental applications, such as reforestation and energy harvesting. Collaborations include the Max Planck Institute and National Geographic’s 'RoKER' grant. She leads interdisciplinary teams and advises PhD students in soft robotics, biomaterials, and ecological systems.