Dr. Francesco P. Mezzapesa joined the Italian National Research Council – Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, Bari Division, Italy (CNR-IFN) as a Staff Researcher in June 2022. As an optimist, he is passionate about prototyping new technologies that serve our sense-based world.

Prior to CNR-IFN, he worked at CNR-STIIMA on vision-based guidance algorithms and deep learning techniques for 3D point-clouds classification and segmentation. His research interests have previously encompassed Terahertz (THz) nanophotonics and applications, from sub-wavelength THz imaging and material-specific IR sensing to development of THz frequency comb integrated with intersubband polariton and plasmonic devices based on 2D materials. He received his Ph.D. (2007) from the Optoelectronics Research Centre of the University of Southampton (UK) and master degree (2001) in Physics from the University of Bari (Italy).

He holds 4 patents in the field of optics and photonics technology and has co-authored over 50 papers on international peer reviewed journals, books, and conference proceedings. In more than 15 years of experience, has been involved in several EU and Italian Projects in research domains related to integrated optics and nonlinear photonic microstructures as well as 3D laser micro-nanofabrication, laser-matter interactions at extremely short timescales, manipulation of coherent radiation, laser beam shaping, monitoring and control of novel laser processing, development of innovative sensing solutions for applications in optomechatronics.