Francesca Olgiati

Francesca Olgiati is a researcher at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Engineering and the Institute of Materials. She conducts her research in the Supramolecular Nanomaterials and Interfaces Laboratory (SUNMIL), under the supervision of Professor Francesco Stellacci. Her work is centered on the design and application of nanomaterials for antiviral and antimicrobial purposes, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and broad-spectrum efficacy.

Her research interests lie at the intersection of nanotechnology, virology, and materials science. She investigates irreversible inhibition mechanisms of viruses and bacteriophages using peptide-based constructs, gold nanoparticles, and natural materials like lignin. Her projects explore supramolecular coatings, virucidal drugs, and eco-friendly antiviral surfaces, aiming to develop scalable and sustainable solutions for healthcare and industrial applications.

The recent publications highlight a clear trend toward multifunctional nanosystems that combine targeting, inactivation, and environmental resilience. Her work spans from fundamental nanoscale interactions to applied technologies, with a recurring focus on broad-spectrum action, reusability, and mechanistic understanding of viral and bacterial pathogen inactivation.

Francesca Olgiati has received research support from prominent funding bodies including the European Union, the German Research Foundation (DFG), and Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. These grants have enabled her interdisciplinary research in nanomaterials and antiviral technologies.

While there is no explicit mention of advising students, her role as a PhD graduate and active contributor to high-impact research suggests a mentorship role within the SUNMIL lab. Her collaborative network includes researchers such as Ting Mao, Quy Ong, and Nicolo Razza.

She is a core member of the SUNMIL (Supramolecular Nanomaterials and Interfaces Laboratory), a research group focused on nanoscale materials with applications in biointerfaces, sensing, and therapeutics. The lab employs advanced techniques such as cryogenic electron tomography, molecular dynamics simulations, and surface functionalization to study nanoparticle behavior and develop novel biomedical materials.