Gianfranco B. Fiore, PhD, Full Professor

Full Professor at the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB), PoliMI, and head of the Micro and BioFluid Dynamics Laboratory since 2004. His main research interests are i) devices for extracorporeal blood treatment, involving numerous research collaborations of Academia with international biomedical Companies; ii) in-vitro study of treatments for heart valves diseases exploiting the use of excised animal samples within artificial mock loops, a field he pioneered in the past at PoliMI; iii) design of advanced cell/tissue culture systems as in vitro model systems for the biological laboratory. G.B. Fiore’s publication record accounts for >150 peer-reviewed Journal papers, (Scopus h-index = 27, >2200 citations), plus numerous conference proceedings and 14 patents. He co-founded two start-up companies, both accredited as PoliMI spin-off companies.

Eleonora Salurso, MSc, PhD Candidate

Eleonora Salurso obtained her bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering and her master’s degree in Biomedical engineering at Politecnico di Milano. Her master thesis focused on developing a prototype device for the treatment of tricuspid regurgitation which was an outcome of the synergy between mechanical and medical knowledge. After the master’s degree, she completed a traineeship at Politecnico di Milano. Currently she works has a research assistant in the field of experimental cardiovascular biomechanics.

Francesca Perico, MSc, PhD Candidate

Francesca Perico was born in 1994 in Bergamo. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano in February 2017, with a thesis aimed at optimizing a mathematical model of mass and fluids exchanges of hemodialysis patients. In December 2019, she received her Master’s degree in Biomedical engineering from Politecnico di Milano. Her master thesis focused on developing a method for the realization of patient-specific vascular models for training, aimed at improving the operator’s ability to perform transcatheter-dependent procedures. Currently, she is enrolled as a PhD researcher at Micro e Biofluidodinamica Sperimentale Lab (µBS Lab) at the Politecnico di Milano. Her research is focused on the Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) as a solution for aortic valve stenosis. Specifically, she is involved in the design and development of experimental platforms and physical simulators to investigate complications associated with TAVI and to advance new therapeutic strategies to tackle these complications.

Elena Bosoni, MSc, PhD Candidate

Elena Bosoni was born in 1997 in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano (Lodi). She graduated from Politecnico di Milano in July 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in the analysis of vascular conduit compliance measurement systems. In April 2022, she earned her master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano. For her master’s thesis, she developed a 3D-printed, patient-specific thoracic simulator to train clinicians in the implantation of a novel right ventricle remodeling device for treating functional tricuspid regurgitation. Through this project, she gained experience with CAD modeling software, fluid dynamics simulation, 3D printing, and silicone casting technologies. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Bioengineering at Politecnico di Milano, focusing on designing and developing a cardiac simulator actuated by soft robotic technology. This simulator is designed to provide training for clinicians and facilitate medical device testing in minimally invasive cardiac treatments and transcatheter procedures.

Fabio Pappalardo, MSc, PhD Candidate

Fabio Pappalardo was born in 1996. He obtained the bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano in July 2018, with a thesis aimed at obtaining a preliminary validation of Doppler ultrasound for the measurement of fluid dynamic quantities in the field of experimental biomechanics. In April 2021, he received his master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano. His master thesis focused on the development of a prototype device for treatment of tricuspid regurgitation and on the CT-based anatomical feasibility assessment of performing a minimally invasive transthoracic access as implantation procedure. After his master’s degree, he worked as a research assistant in the field of experimental cardiovascular biomechanics. Currently, he is a PhD student at Politecnico di Milano in collaboration with Policlinico San Donato where is focusing his research on the development of in vitro systems for research, technology development and training in cardiovascular applications.