Cristiani Ilaria

Prof. Ilaria Cristiani is a Full Professor of Physics of Matter at the University of Pavia's Department of Industrial and Information Engineering. She coordinates the PhD Program in Electronic, Informatics, and Electrical Engineering since 2021. Her research focuses on nonlinear photonics, optofluidic devices for biomedical applications, and integrated optical components. She leads projects funded by EU FP7 (e.g., FABULOUS, NISTAS), Cariplo Foundation, and industrial collaborations (e.g., Huawei). She co-authored over 95 publications, holds 3 international patents, and edited books on photonics. She is a Senior Member of Optica and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of the Optical Society of America B.

Education: PhD in Physics (1997, University of Pavia/Pirelli Labs), Laurea in Electronic Engineering (1994, University of Pavia with highest honors). Prior roles include Researcher at Pirelli Labs (1994–1998) and City Councillor for Education/Environment/Technology in Pavia (2014–2019).

Research interests span optofluidic cell mechanics, integrated photonics for telecom/bio-applications, and nonlinear optical materials. Recent work includes optically stabilized lasers, sub-THz signal generation, and tumor cell mechanics analysis via microchips. Her lab designs low-loss grating couplers and semiconductor nanowire-based polarization controllers.

Grants and Projects: European FP7 projects on optical networks and vascular screening; Italian Cariplo Foundation-funded optofluidic cancer cell studies; industry partnerships for optical component development. She coordinates international networks like COST actions on optofluidics and nonlinear micromanipulation.

Labs/Teams: Active in the university's photonics lab, collaborating with institutions worldwide. Develops microfluidic chips for single-cell analysis and silicon nitride-based photonic devices.