Elisabetta Canetta

Elisabetta Canetta is a Senior Lecturer in Physics at St Mary's University, serving as Programme Director for the BSc (Hons) Applied Physics and Course Lead for the MRes in Sport, Health, and Applied Science. She holds a PhD in Experimental Biophysics from Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble (2004). Her research spans experimental nanobiophysics, rehabilitation bioengineering, and the philosophical intersections of mathematics and theology.

• Education:
  • MPhys in Theoretical Nuclear Physics, Università di Bologna (Italy), 2000
  • PhD in Experimental Biophysics, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble (France), 2004
• Prior Positions:
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Surrey (2007–2009)
  • Optical Trapping Group, University of St Andrews (2009–2011)
  • Lecturer in Biophotonics, Cardiff University (2011–2013)

Research Interests: Experimental nanobiophysics (cell mechanics via AFM/Raman spectroscopy), rehabilitation engineering for stroke patients, and the synergy between physics/mathematics and theology. Her work explores how scientific theories can inform theological concepts and vice versa, particularly in metaphysical and natural theology frameworks.

Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles with an h-index of 18, focusing on biophysics, medical diagnostics, and interdisciplinary science-theology studies. Recent work includes advancements in Raman spectroscopy for cancer detection and pedagogical strategies in Catholic science education.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Optical Trapping Group (St Andrews) and Cardiff’s Biophotonics team. Engages in multidisciplinary projects combining bioengineering, theology, and materials science.