Mrs. Annarita Di Toma: Biophotonics: Best Researcher Award
Mrs. Annarita Di Toma, Polytechnique University of Bari, Italy
Mrs. Annarita Di Toma is a distinguished researcher and Ph.D. student in Aerospace Science and Engineering at Politecnico di Bari, Italy. Graduating as valedictorian with a Masterβs in Electronic Engineering, she displayed excellence in her studies. With a robust academic background, including a Bachelorβs degree in Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering and a masterβs degree internship at the Nanotech Institute, CNR of Lecce, Annarita specializes in designing integrated photonic systems for space and optoelectronic microfluidic systems for biomedical applications. Passionate about space optics, she attended the International School on Space Optics by ESA and the 2nd School on Suborbital Flight. Annarita has a wealth of experience in teaching, scientific article preparation, and international conference presentations. Her digital skills encompass a diverse range of tools, from electronic design to simulation software, showcasing her versatility in aerospace engineering. 
Education and Training:
Masterβs Degree in Electronic Engineering, Politecnico di Bari, Italy (Oct 2020 β Oct 2022). Graduated with honors (110/110 L) and recognized as valedictorian. Bachelorβs Degree in Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, Politecnico di Bari, Italy (May 2022 β Jun 2022). Achieved a perfect score of 110/110 L. 
Masterβs Degree Internship at Nanotech Institute, CNR of Lecce, Italy (May 2022 β Sep 2022). 
International School on Space Optics, ESA/ESTEC, Netherlands (Oct 2023). 2nd School on Suborbital Flight, Politecnico di Bari, Italy (Sep 2023). 
8th Silicon Photonics Summer School, ePIXfab-European Silicon Photonics Alliance, Gent, Belgium (Jul 2023). IV National School on Optical Biosensors and Biophotonics, Italian Society of Optics and Photonics (Sep 2017 β Jul 2020).
Work Experience:
Currently pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Science and Engineering at Politecnico di Bari (Nov 2022 β Present). 
Experience in designing integrated photonic systems for space applications and optoelectronic microfluidic systems for biomedical applications
Expertise in studying programmable photonic circuits for space and telecom applications. 
Provided teaching support in electronics, optoelectronics, and photonics for Masterβs degree courses. 
Contributed to scientific articles and presented works at international conferences.
Digital Skills:
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 
Skilled in OrCad PSpice Designer, COMSOL Multiphysics, Cadence Virtuoso, MATLAB, OptiSystem, Optiwave, Lumerical MODE and FDTD, Keysights ADS, Quartus, Python, and Arduino Uno for electronic design. Well-versed in social media platforms for professional engagement.
Awards:
Received Best Poster Awards from 2012 to 2017.
Professional Profiles:
Research Focus: 
Mrs. Annarita Di Tomaβs research is at the cutting edge of two dynamic fields. Primarily, she explores the innovative realm of βFlexible Photonic Integrated Circuits,β presenting a paradigm shift in satellite data processing. Her work delves into creating fully reconfigurable photonic filters designed specifically for flexible payloads, contributing to the evolution of satellite technology in space exploration . Simultaneously, Mrs. Di Toma pioneers advancements in biophotonics with a focus on microbial analysis. Her contributions include developing integrated photonics for NewSpace applications and pioneering techniques such as dielectrophoresis for the rapid sorting of live/dead Escherichia Coli, a critical step in antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The novel hybrid platform she proposes ensures accurate sorting of live/dead bacteria through an on-chip DEP device, presenting a significant stride in biomedical research 
.
Publications Top Note:
- Fully reconfigurable photonic filter for flexible payloads
- Integrated Photonics for NewSpace
- Sorting of live/dead Escherichia Coli by means of dielectrophoresis for rapid antimicrobial susceptibility
testing