Luisa Torsi

Luisa Torsi is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Bari, Italy, and holds an adjunct professorship at Abo Akademi University. Her research spans advanced materials and bioelectronic sensors, with a strong emphasis on organic field-effect transistors and their application in medical diagnostics and ultra-sensitive detection platforms.

Research Interests:

• Development of novel organic and printable electronic materials
• Design and optimization of analytical and biosensors
• Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) for bioelectronic applications
• Single-molecule detection technologies
• High-performance, low-cost diagnostic devices
• Reproducibility and scalability in sensor fabrication

Her recent publications highlight a consistent trajectory in pushing the limits of detection sensitivity, particularly through transistor-based platforms like SiMoT, enabling breakthroughs in viral RNA and biomarker sensing. The integration of plasmonics, statistical design methods, and enzyme-based systems underscores a multidisciplinary approach to solving analytical challenges.

Scientific Awards:

• H.E. Merck Prize (first woman recipient)
• Distinguished Women Award by IUPAC
• Wilhelm Exner Medal (2021)

Torsi has secured over 26 million euros in research funding from European and national grants, supporting her innovative work in bioelectronics and sensor technologies. She actively mentors researchers and collaborates with a broad network, including key co-authors such as Eleonora Macchia, Paolo Bollella, and Gaetano Scamarcio. Her work bridges fundamental science and real-world applications, with potential impact in healthcare and environmental monitoring.

She leads a dynamic research team focused on next-generation sensing platforms and is recognized as a role model for women in science, even being featured in the Italian Disney comic Topolino as "Louise Torduck" to inspire young scientists.