Genni Testa

Genni Testa is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), part of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR). Her work focuses on developing advanced optical, optofluidic, and optoelectronic devices for environmental monitoring and biomedical applications. She is based at the Naples location of IREA, one of the institution's multiple sites across Italy.

Dr. Testa earned her Physics degree with highest honors (110/110 cum laude) from the University of Naples 'Federico II' in 2005, followed by a PhD in Electronic Engineering from the Second University of Naples in 2009. Her doctoral research centered on integrated optofluidic interferometric devices based on ARROW liquid waveguides. She also spent time as a visiting scientist at TU Delft's Delft Institute of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics in 2007, gaining expertise in silicon device fabrication processes.

Her research expertise spans polymer optofluidic sensors, integrated silicon optofluidic sensors, hybrid optofluidic systems (combining silicon and polymer), distributed fiber optic sensors based on Brillouin scattering, and quasi-distributed fiber optic sensors. She has made significant contributions to the development of optofluidic ring resonators, liquid-core waveguides, and micro flow cytometers with 3D hydrodynamic focusing. Her work bridges fundamental photonics research with practical applications in environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on advancing optofluidic device architecture and performance. Her research trajectory shows evolution from fundamental waveguide structures to more complex integrated systems for specific applications like biosensing and environmental monitoring. The interdisciplinary nature of her work combines optics, microfluidics, materials science, and sensing applications, with increasing emphasis on practical implementation of these technologies.

From 2012 to 2017, Dr. Testa served as the scientific director for a FIRB project titled 'Ultra-sensitive flow-through optofluidic microresonators for biosensing applications,' demonstrating her leadership in coordinating research teams and securing competitive funding. Her work often involves collaboration with international partners, as evidenced by her visiting position at TU Delft and co-authorship with researchers from multiple institutions.

Dr. Testa's laboratory work focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of novel optofluidic devices. Her team develops specialized instrumentation for testing these devices in both controlled laboratory environments and real-world conditions. The research group maintains expertise in cleanroom fabrication techniques, optical characterization methods, and integration of microfluidic systems with optical components.