Luca Montaina | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Luca Montaina | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Post-Doc at CNR-IMM, Italy

Dr. Luca Montaina is a materials scientist with a PhD in Chemical Sciences, specializing in additive manufacturing and advanced composite materials. His research focuses on the development of conductive and biodegradable polymer composites for applications in flexible electronics and sensing technologies. Currently a research fellow at the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, he has contributed to multiple interdisciplinary projects involving 3D printing, machine learning, and sustainable materials. Dr. Montaina has published extensively in high-impact journals, showcasing innovative work on electroconductive hydrogels, biodegradable substrates, and smart sensing platforms. He has presented his research at leading national and international conferences and served as a grant reviewer for Poland’s National Science Center. With a strong academic background and a growing international presence, Dr. Montaina demonstrates exceptional promise as a researcher at the intersection of materials science, bioelectronics, and sustainability, making him a valuable contributor to the advancement of next-generation technologies.

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Education

Dr. Luca Montaina holds a solid academic background in materials science and chemical sciences. He earned his PhD in Chemical Sciences from the University of Rome Tor Vergata (2020–2024), with a thesis focused on the development of conductive composite materials through vat photopolymerization 3D printing for advanced flexible electronics. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s degree in Materials Science and Technology from the same university in 2020, graduating with top honors (110/110 cum laude) for his thesis on bio-ink development for scaffold fabrication via 3D printing. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science in 2016, with a thesis on hydrogen absorption measurement systems. To broaden his technical skills, he completed several online certifications in additive manufacturing, machine learning, and circuit design. His education blends chemistry, physics, and engineering, forming a strong interdisciplinary foundation for his research in advanced and sustainable materials.

Professional Experience

Dr. Montaina’s professional experience centers on advanced materials research with a focus on additive manufacturing and flexible electronics. He is currently a research fellow at the Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM) of the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy. His most recent work (2025–present) involves the use of additive manufacturing techniques to fabricate biodegradable substrates and active layers for sensing applications. In his prior fellowship at CNR-IMM (2024–2025), he worked on interdisciplinary projects involving 3D printing, machine learning, and biodegradable microelectronics. During his PhD (2020–2024), he collaborated closely with researchers from multiple scientific domains and also contributed to academic life by tutoring undergraduate students in General Chemistry. In each of these roles, Dr. Montaina has demonstrated hands-on expertise in photopolymerization, composite fabrication, and material characterization, positioning himself as a promising contributor to advanced materials research at both national and international levels.

Research Interest

Dr. Luca Montaina’s research interests lie at the intersection of materials science, additive manufacturing, and bioelectronics. His primary focus is on developing innovative polymer composites that are flexible, conductive, and biodegradable—materials that are well-suited for use in next-generation sensing platforms, wearable devices, and biomedical engineering. He is particularly interested in leveraging vat photopolymerization and stereolithographic 3D printing to engineer materials with tailored mechanical and electrical properties. His work also explores the integration of machine learning techniques for spectroscopic sensing and smart diagnostics. Additionally, Dr. Montaina has investigated green and sustainable materials for applications such as dental aligners and cardiac tissue scaffolds. His research has practical relevance in areas such as healthcare, environmental monitoring, and soft electronics. With a strong drive toward sustainable innovation and multidisciplinary approaches, Dr. Montaina is pushing the boundaries of how smart materials can be designed, fabricated, and applied in real-world technologies.

Award and Honor

Although still in the early stages of his research career, Dr. Luca Montaina has already gained recognition through multiple notable achievements. His academic excellence is evident from his graduation with honors in both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He has actively participated in prestigious international conferences, delivering oral presentations at events such as FISMAT 2025 and the AIV XXVI Conference, and receiving acceptance for numerous poster contributions. A significant distinction includes his selection as a reviewer for Stage 2 grant evaluations for Poland’s National Science Center (NCN), a role that reflects the scientific community’s trust in his expertise. Additionally, he has contributed as a tutor for undergraduate chemistry courses, highlighting his dedication to academic mentorship. These early recognitions, combined with his robust publication record and growing international presence, signify Dr. Montaina’s potential to become a leading voice in the field of advanced functional materials and sustainable technologies.

Conclusion

Dr. Luca Montaina represents a dynamic and impactful early-career researcher in the field of materials science, with particular expertise in additive manufacturing and flexible, biodegradable electronic materials. His academic foundation is distinguished by top-tier performance and interdisciplinary training, while his professional experience at the National Research Council of Italy underscores his ability to contribute meaningfully to collaborative, high-impact projects. With research spanning smart sensing platforms, sustainable composites, and machine-learning-integrated diagnostics, he demonstrates both technical excellence and visionary thinking. His impressive list of publications, conference engagements, and grant reviewing activities reflect a researcher committed not only to scientific advancement but also to community and knowledge dissemination. As he continues to develop his independent research identity, Dr. Montaina stands out as a promising candidate for prestigious research honors and awards. His trajectory points toward meaningful contributions to both scientific innovation and societal advancement through technology and sustainability.

Publications Top Notes

1. Toward a User‑Accessible Spectroscopic Sensing Platform for Beverage Recognition Through K‑Nearest Neighbors Algorithm

  • Authors: Luca Montaina; Elena Palmieri; Ivano Lucarini; Luca Maiolo; Francesco Maita

  • Year: 2025

2. Enhanced Response of ZnO Nanorod‑Based Flexible MEAs for Recording Ischemia‑Induced Neural Activity in Acute Brain Slices

  • Authors: José Ignacio Del Rio De Vicente; Valeria Marchetti; Ivano Lucarini; Elena Palmieri; Davide Polese; Luca Montaina; Francesco Maita; Jan Kriska; Jana Tureckova; Miroslava Anderova; Luca Maiolo

  • Year: 2025

3. Towards Green Dentistry: Evaluating the Potential of 4D Printing for Sustainable Orthodontic Aligners with a Reduced Carbon Footprint

  • Authors: Elena Palmieri; Luca Montaina; Denise Bellisario; Ivano Lucarini; Francesco Maita; Martina Ielmini; Maria Elena Cataldi; Loredana Cerroni; Roberta Condò; Luca Maiolo

  • Year: 2024

4. Electrically Conductive Scaffolds Mimicking the Hierarchical Structure of Cardiac Myofibers

  • Authors: A. Ul Haq; L. Montaina; F. Pescosolido; F. Carotenuto; F. Trovalusci; F. De Matteis; E. Tamburri; P. Di Nardo

  • Year: 2023

5. Engineered Surface for High Performance Electrodes on Paper

  • Authors: Elena Palmieri; Luca Montaina; Giuseppina Polino; Matteo Bonomo; Gioele Giordanengo; Claudia Barolo; Gaio Paradossi; Francesca Brunetti; Emanuela Tamburri; Silvia Orlanducci

  • Year: 2023

6. A Sustainable Hydroxypropyl Cellulose‑Nanodiamond Composite for Flexible Electronic Applications

  • Authors: E. Palmieri; F. Pescosolido; L. Montaina; R. Carcione; G. Petrella; D.O. Cicero; E. Tamburri; S. Battistoni; S. Orlanducci

  • Year: 2022

7. Three‑Dimensional‑Printed PEGDA‑Polyaniline Composites by In Situ Aniline Photopolymerization: An Innovative Biomaterial for Electrocardiogram Monitoring Systems

  • Authors: L. Montaina; R. Carcione; F. Pescosolido; M. Montalto; S. Battistoni; E. Tamburri

  • Year: 2022

8. PANI‑Modified Ti‑Doped CVD Diamond As Promising Conductive Platform to Mimic Bioelectricity Functions

  • Authors: S. Politi; S. Battistoni; R. Carcione; L. Montaina; S. Macis; S. Lupi; E. Tamburri

  • Year: 2021

9. Beyond the Concepts of Nanocomposite and 3D Printing: PVA and Nanodiamonds for Layer‑by‑Layer Additive Manufacturing

  • Authors: M. Angjellari; E. Tamburri; L. Montaina; M. Natali; D. Passeri; M. Rossi; M.L. Terranova

  • Year: 2017

Dr. Zeena Pillai | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zeena Pillai | Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Professor at Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, India

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai is a distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, with over two decades of experience in teaching and research. She holds a Ph.D. in Photochemistry and has completed prestigious postdoctoral fellowships in the United States at the University of Notre Dame and Florida State University. Her research spans organic photochemistry, supramolecular chemistry, nanochemistry, and phytochemistry, with a growing focus on sustainable technologies and Ayurvedic formulations. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, several book chapters, and has led multiple interdisciplinary research projects. Dr. Pillai has received numerous accolades, including the AIRA Research Award (2025), Best Academician Award (2023), and an Erasmus Mundus Professorship. As a curriculum developer and key contributor to the MHRD Virtual Labs project, she plays a vital role in educational innovation. Her academic excellence, research leadership, and commitment to advancing science make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Professional Profile 

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Education

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai completed her M.Sc. in Chemistry from Mahatma Gandhi University in 1996 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Photochemistry from the Photonics and Photosciences Division at NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, affiliated with the University of Kerala, in 2002. Her academic excellence was evident early on, qualifying national competitive exams such as the CSIR-UGC NET and GATE in 1997. She also received the prestigious CSIR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, supporting her doctoral research. Post-Ph.D., she was awarded competitive postdoctoral research fellowships, first at the Radiation Laboratory, University of Notre Dame, and later at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, USA. These positions provided her with significant exposure to cutting-edge international research. Her academic journey reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied chemistry, combined with a global outlook and a consistent record of achievement across all stages of her education.

Professional Experience

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai brings a wealth of professional experience in both academia and research, marked by a consistent trajectory of growth and leadership. She began her career as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Notre Dame (2001–2003) and later at Florida State University (2003–2004), where she worked on photochemical systems and supramolecular materials. Returning to India, she held teaching roles at R.V. College of Engineering, Bangalore (2006), and NSS College for Women, Trivandrum (2008). Since 2009, she has served as a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus. Her responsibilities have included curriculum development, Ph.D. supervision, and spearheading interdisciplinary research initiatives. She has also served as a subject expert in MHRD’s Virtual Labs project under the National Mission on Education through ICT. Her career reflects a blend of research innovation, pedagogical excellence, and national-level academic contribution.

Research Interest

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai’s research is rooted in interdisciplinary and application-driven chemical sciences. Her primary areas of interest include organic photochemistry, supramolecular chemistry, nanochemistry, phytochemistry, and photodynamic therapy. She has explored functional materials such as dendrimers, host–guest systems, and hemicyanines with applications in sensing, drug delivery, and luminescence. She also contributes to sustainable and green chemistry through research on ionic liquids, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and carbon capture technologies. Notably, her work bridges traditional systems of medicine and modern chemistry, with several studies on Ayurvedic compounds and ethnobotanicals for pharmacological applications. Dr. Pillai’s active research includes both experimental and theoretical components, as reflected in her numerous publications in high-impact journals like Nature (NPG Asia Materials) and The Electrochemical Society. Her work exemplifies a commitment to solving real-world challenges using modern chemical science while maintaining a strong academic and ethical research foundation.

Award and Honor

Dr. Zeena S. Pillai has been recognized for her research excellence and academic leadership through numerous awards and honors. Recently, she received the AIRA Research Award (2025) from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the Best Academician Award (2023) from InAsc. Her international reputation was highlighted by her selection for the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Visiting Professorship at the University of Bologna, Italy, in 2010 and 2011. Earlier in her career, she earned the highly competitive CSIR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships, along with a National Talent Scholarship from India’s Ministry of Education. She also cleared national-level competitive exams such as the CSIR-UGC NET and GATE in Chemistry. These recognitions validate not only the scientific merit of her work but also her contributions to capacity-building in higher education and research. Dr. Pillai’s consistent record of academic distinction and award-winning scholarship strengthens her candidacy for any research-focused honors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dr. Zeena S. Pillai stands out as a highly accomplished academic and researcher in the field of chemical sciences. With a solid educational foundation, substantial international research experience, and a deep commitment to interdisciplinary and socially relevant science, she has built a career marked by both scholarly excellence and impactful teaching. Her contributions span from foundational photochemistry to applied research in nanomaterials and Ayurvedic compounds, illustrating a rare blend of tradition and innovation. With over 30 research publications, several book chapters, and leadership roles in national education initiatives, she continues to inspire future generations of scientists. Her awards, fellowships, and invited positions further affirm her role as a thought leader in her discipline. As a result, Dr. Pillai is exceptionally well-qualified for recognition through honors such as the Best Researcher Award, which would be a fitting acknowledgment of her dedication, impact, and ongoing contributions to science and education.

Publications Top Notes

  • Title: What factors control the size and shape of silver nanoparticles in the citrate ion reduction method?
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PV Kamat
    Year: 2004
    Citations: 1092

  • Title: Photoinduced Charge Transfer between CdSe Quantum Dots and p-Phenylenediamine
    Authors: SN Sharma, ZS Pillai, PV Kamat
    Year: 2003
    Citations: 300

  • Title: The VALUE@ Amrita Virtual Labs Project: Using web technology to provide virtual laboratory access to students
    Authors: K Achuthan, KS Sreelatha, S Surendran, S Diwakar, P Nedungadi, ZS Pillai, et al.
    Year: 2011
    Citations: 90

  • Title: Chemistry of cyanine dyes—A review
    Authors: GS Gopika, PMH Prasad, AG Lekshmi, S Lekshmypriya, S Sreesaila, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 78

  • Title: Dendrimers as Nd3+ ligands: Effect of Generation on the Efficiency of the Sensitized Lanthanide Emission
    Authors: ZS Pillai, P Ceroni, M Kubeil, JM Heldt, H Stephan, G Bergamini
    Year: 2013
    Citations: 19

  • Title: Effect of viscosity on the singlet-excited state dynamics of some hemicyanine dyes
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PK Sudeep, KG Thomas
    Year: 2003
    Citations: 18

  • Title: Spectroelectrochemistry of aromatic amine oxidation: an insight into the indo dye formation
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PV Kamat
    Year: 2005
    Citations: 17

  • Title: Emerging organic electrode materials for sustainable batteries
    Authors: PM Hari Prasad, G Malavika, A Pillai, S Sadan, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2024
    Citations: 11

  • Title: The stability of the superhydrophobic surfaces
    Authors: JS Jayan, D Jayadev, ZS Pillai, K Joseph, A Saritha
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 10

  • Title: A review on synthesis and various pharmacological aspects of Rhinacanthin-C with special emphasis on antidiabetic activity
    Authors: AS Kumar, M Leema, S Sridevi, S Sreesaila, LJ Anil, M Mohit, H Krishnan, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2021
    Citations: 7

  • Title: Characterization of superhydrophobic polymer coating
    Authors: D Jayadev, JS Jayan, ZS Pillai, K Joseph, A Saritha
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 6

  • Title: Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from a bioactive precursor
    Authors: M Leema, G Sreekumar, A Sivan, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2019
    Citations: 4

  • Title: Lanthanide Terpyridine‐Based Assemblies: Towards Dual Luminescent Probes
    Authors: JK Molloy, Z Pillai, J Sakamoto, P Ceroni, G Bergamini
    Year: 2015
    Citations: 4

  • Title: Synthesis and antibacterial screening of novel derivatives of embelin
    Authors: L Subramanian, M Leema, NS Pradeep, B Joy, ZS Pillai
    Year: 2018
    Citations: 3

  • Title: Synthesis and fine tuning of MOF for hydrogen storage
    Authors: ZS Pillai, PPMH Prasad, ASA Latheef, A Pillai
    Year: 2023
    Citations: 2