LUDOVICA APA

I SEMESTRE

- Insegnamento: BIOINGEGNERIA MECCANICA - MODULO DUE per il corso di Laurea in Biotecnologie mediche, curriculum bioingegneristico
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- Insegnamento: MISURE PER LA SOSTENBILITÀ E LA SICUREZZA INDUSTRIALE per il corso di laurea Ingegneria industriale green per lo sviluppo sostenibile - Green Industrial Engineering for Sustainable Development (sede di Latina), curriculum tecnologie verdi
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Curriculum Vitae Ludovica Apa
ludovica.apa@uniroma1.it

Current position
• From April 2023 to present: Assistant Professor (RTDA), Department of mechanical and aerospace engineering, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. Project: Characterization and testing of chemical and electrochemical storage systems.

Education and training
• 13 February 2020: Phd in Industrial and Management Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome. Thesis: Development and validation of experimental systems for measurements of cell and tissue biomechanics.
• 22 March 2016: Master Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• From September 2015 to March 2016: Internship for Master Thesis, Epfl (ècole polytechnique féderale de Lausanne), Swithzerland, TNE (translational neural engineering) laboratory. Thesis: Development of a synergies-based controller for a muscoloskeletal model of the human upper limb.
• 25 January 2013: Bachelor Degree in Clinical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• From October 2012 to January 2013: Internship for bachelor thesis, EEG laboratory (Department of physiology and pharmacology ‘Vittorio Erspamer’, Sapienza University of Rome). Thesis: Hypercapnia affects the functional coupling of resting state electroencephalographic rhythms and cerebral hemodynamics in healthy elderly subjects and in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Work experiences
• From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023: Research fellow – AR (SSD ING-IND/12), Department of mechanical and aerospace engineering, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. Project: Development of a new experimental system for the measurement of cell mechanotransduction following simultaneous application of substrate deformation and fluid shear stress.
• From 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022: Research fellow – AR (SSD ING-IND/12), Department of mechanical and aerospace engineering, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. Project: Development of experimental systems for the measurement of single cell mechanical properties.

Teaching and Editorial experiences
• Editorial role: Guest Editor of a Special Issue ‘Thermo-Mechanical and Electrical Measurements for Energy Systems’ on the Energies journal, 2024.
• Member of the Early Career Advisory Board, Measurement (Elsevier, 2025–present).
• 2025-2026: Co-tutor of 2 graduate students of Energetic Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome
• 2024-2025: Co-tutor of 3 graduate students of Mechanical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2023-present: Responsible of the Mechanical Bioengineering module for the master’s degree course in Medical Biotechnology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza'.
• 2026-present: Responsible of the Measurements for clinical diagnosis for the degree course in Medicine and Surgery HT, University of Rome 'La Sapienza'.
• 2020-2025: Member of the examining commission of Mechanical and Thermal Measurements for the Faculty of Clinical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2020-2025: Member of the examing commision of Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Laboratory for the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2020-2025: Responsible for laboratory exercises of Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Laboratory for the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2020-2025: Responsible for laboratory exercises of Mechanical and Thermal Measurements for the Faculty of Clinical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2023-2025: Tutor of 2 graduate students of Medical Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2017-2025: Co-tutor of 7 graduate students of Biomedical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2017-2025: Co-tutor of 40 graduate students of Clinical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.

Qualification and courses
• 10-11 May 2018: ECM Course, Forum in Bone and Mineral Research XVIII Meeting, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome.
• 30-31 January 2017: Labview Core 2 course, National Instruments.
• 12-13-14 December 2016: Labview Core 1 course, National Instruments.
• September 2016: Qualification to practice as an Industrial Engineer.

Awards, grant, membership and patents
• January 2025: Patent n. 102025000000339 ‘Giunzione neuromuscolare tridimensionale su chip’.
• From 2018 to present: Member of the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement society. Member number: 94951052.
• 2021: Winner of an academic research project, Sapienza University of Rome: ‘'Combining mechanical signals to enhance cell mechanotransduction: a new experimental paradigm for simultaneous application of substrate deformation and fluid shear stress’. Investigator. Funds: 13.000,00 €.
• 2020: Qualification of ‘expert on the subject’ of Mechanical and Thermal Measurements (SSD ING-IND/12) for the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2020: Qualification of ‘expert on the subject’ of Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering Laboratory (SSD ING-IND/12) for the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome.
• 2020: Proceeding winner of the “Domenico Grimaldi Best Paper Award”. The Cell-Matrix Interplay: Stiffness and Strain Homogeneity Characterization of Substrates for Adherent Cells. S. Carraro, L. Apa, E. Urciuoli, B. Peruzzi, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, at the IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA, 2020.
• 2019: Winner of an academic research project, Sapienza University of Rome: ‘Design and testing of an experimental system for assessing adherent single-cell stiffness in tension’. Role: Investigator. Funds: 36.987,00 €.
• 2017: Winner of an academic research project, Sapienza University of Rome: ‘Uniaxial strain device for in vitro mechanical stimulation of normal and tumoral bone cells’. Principal investigator. Funds: 1.000,00 €.

Participation in national and internation conferences
*: speaker
• 10-12 September 2025: IX forum nazionale delle misure Meccaniche e Termiche, Napoli, Italy. “Design and implementation of a safety monitoring system for lithium-ion batteries using fiber bragg grating sensors” L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto.
• 17-20 August 2025: Measurement, Sensor Systems and Applications Conference (MeSSAC), Hangzhou, China. “A Fiber Bragg Grating sensor-based approach for Lithium-Ion battery long term monitoring” L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto. “Evaluation of Deformations in FRCM Structures Using Fiber Optic Sensors: A Comparative Analysis with Traditional Method” L. D’Alvia, L. Apa*, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete.
• 28-30 May 2025: Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Chania, Greece. “3D printed specimens’ elasticity for cerebral aneurysm mock-ups: a characterization of the instrumentation uncertainty”, E. Lancia, D. Marazzi, L. Apa, F. Trovalusci, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto. “Assessing mouse uterosacral ligament physiological range: measurement of static and dynamic properties”, M. Ingrosso, L. Apa, A. Musarò, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto.
• 12-14 September 2024: VIII forum nazionale delle misure Meccaniche e Termiche, Livorno, Italy. “Development of a Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Monitoring System Based on Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors” L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto.
• 27-29 September 2023: IEEE International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems, Bern, Svizzera. “Battery energy storage: an automated system for the simulation of real cycles in domestic renewable applications” L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto.
• 13-15 September 2023: VII forum nazionale delle misure Meccaniche e Termiche, Bologna, Italy. “Valutazione dell’accuratezza di un sistema automatico per la caratterizzazione di batterie a ioni-litio in applicazioni di stoccaggio di energie rinnovabili domestiche” L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto.
• April 2023: IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA, Jeju, Sud Corea. “Design and characterization of a flow silicone chamber for combined cell stimulation: a computational fluid dynamic analysis” L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, B. Peruzzi, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete.
• June 2022: IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA, Taormina, Italy. “Effects of ROI positioning on the measurement of engineered muscle tissue contractility with an optical tracking method”, F. Forconi, L. Apa, M. Cosentino, A. Musarò, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete.
• September 2022: VI forum of the National Mechanical and Thermic Measurements, Brescia, Italy. “Strain field characterization of a stretching device for in vitro cell mechanotransduction” L. Apa, F. Forconi, B. Peruzzi, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete. Poster presentation.
• June 2019: IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA, Instabul, Turkey. “Design of a new device to measure skeletal muscle engineered tissues’ contractile force by using an optical tracking techinique”, L. Apa*, F. Martelli, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete.
• June 2018: IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications, MeMeA, Rome, Italy. “Development and mechanical validation of an in vitro system for bone cell vibration loading”, L. Apa*, E. Urciuoli, L. D’alvia, B. Peruzzi, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto.
• September 2017: VI forum of the National Mechanical and Thermic Measurements, Modena, Italy.

Publications list
Journal articles
• D’Alvia, L.; Apa, L.; Rizzuto, E.; Pittella, E.; Del Prete, Z. Calibration of a Capacitive Coupled Ring Resonator for Non-Invasive Measurement of Wood Moisture Content. Instruments 2026, 10, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments10010011.
• M. Ingrosso, E. Lancia, L. Apa, B. Peruzzi, A. Musarò, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, "Determination of the Uncertainties Associated With the Measurement of the Main Parameters Characterizing Mouse Uterosacral Ligament Quasi-Static Behavior," in IEEE Open Journal of Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 4, pp. 1-12, 2025, Art no. 1000512, doi: 10.1109/OJIM.2025.3626110.
• Apa, L.; D’Alvia, L.; Del Prete, Z.; Rizzuto, E. Battery Sizing and Composition in Energy Storage Systems for Domestic Renewable Energy Applications: A Systematic Review. Energies 2025, 18, 5536. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18205536.
• L. Apa, Palmieri, M.; Familiari, P.; Rizzuto, E.; Del Prete, Z. Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumours Treatment: A Simulation Study of Vibration and Temperature Field. Bioengineering 2025, 12, 842.
• Castelli Gattinara Di Zubiena, F.; Zampogna, A.; Patera, M.; Cusolito, G.; Apa, L.; Mileti, I.; Cannuli, A.; Suppa, A.; Paoloni, M.; Del Prete, Z.; et al. Uncovering the Kinematic Signature of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease Through Wearable Inertial Sensors. Sensors 2025, 25, 5054.
• Rizzuto, E.; Apa, L.; D’Alvia, L. Editorial: Special Issue “Thermo-Mechanical and Electrical Measurements for Energy Systems: 1st Edition”. Energies 2025, 18, 3533.
• L. Apa, M.V. Martire, S. Carraro, M. Cosentino, Z. Del Prete, B. Peruzzi, E. Rizzuto. “Development of an Optical System for Strain Drop Measurement of Osteosarcoma Cells on Substrates with Different Stiffness.” Sensors. 2024 May 24;24(11):3383.
• L. D'Alvia, G. Gagliardi, L. Apa, C. Cava, E. Rizzuto, D. Borello, Z. Del Prete, “Scaled test bench for the measurement of a hybrid full-electric powertrain efficiency” Measurement: Sensors, 2024, 101433, ISSN 2665-9174.
• L. Apa, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete and E. Rizzuto, "A Characterization of the Uncertainties Associated With an Automated System for the Study of Lithium-Ion Cells: A Case-Study of a Domestic Grid 24-h Scenario," in IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, vol. 73, pp. 1-11, 2024, Art no. 1503811.
• M. Cosentino, L. Forcina, M. Zouhair, L. Apa, D. Genovese, C. Boccia, E. Rizzuto, A. Musarò. “Modelling three-dimensional cancer-associated cachexia and therapy: The molecular basis and therapeutic potential of interleukin-6 transignalling blockade”. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2023 Dec;14(6):2550-2568.
• M. Cosentino, C. Nicoletti, V. Valenti, L. Schirone, F. Di Nonno, L. Apa, M. Zouhair, D. Genovese, L. Madaro, S. Dinarelli, M. Rossi, Z. Del Prete, S. Sciarretta, G. Frati, E. Rizzuto, A. Musarò, “Remodeled eX vivo muscle engineered tissue improves heart function after chronic myocardial ischemia”, Scientific Report, Vol. 13, no 1, December 2023.
• L. D’Alvia, B. Peruzzi, L. Apa, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, “Determination of a Measurement Procedure for the Study of Cells’ Dielectric Properties through Descriptive Statistic”, Bioengineering, Vol. 10, no 8, August 2023.
• L. D’Alvia, S. Carraro B. Peruzzi, E. Urciouli, L. Apa, E. Rizzuto A Principal Component Analysis to detect cancer cell line aggressiveness, Akta Imeko, Vol. 12 no 2, June 2023.
• M. Cosentino, L. Forcina, M. Zouhair, L. Apa, D. Genovese, C. Boccia, E. Rizzuto, A. Musarò, “Modelling three-dimensional cancer-associated cachexia and therapy: The molecular basis and therapeutic potential of interleukin-6 transignalling blockade”, Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2023.
• L. Apa, M. Cosentino, F. Forconi, A. Musarò, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “The development of an innovative embedded sensor for the optical measurement of ex-vivo engineered muscle tissue contractility”, Sensors, vol. 22, no. 18, pp. 6878, September 2022.
• F. Forconi, L. Apa, S. Pisu, I. Casola, A. Musarò, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Development of a novel technique for the measurement of neuromuscular junction functionality in isotonic conditions”, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering, vol. 15, no. 3, 255-265, June 2022.
• L. Apa, S. Carraro, S. Pisu, B. Peruzzi, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Development and validation of a device for in vitro uniaxial cell substrate deformation with real-time strain control”, Measurement Science and Technology, vol. 31, no. 12, pp. 125702, June 2020.
• S. Pisu, M. Cosentino, L. Apa, A. Musarò, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Measuring the Maximum Power of an ex vivo Engineered Muscle Tissue with Isovelocity Shortening Technique”, IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., vol. 68, no. 7, pp. 2404–2411, Jul. 2019.

Conference Proceedings
• L. D'Alvia, G. Gagliardi, L. Apa, C. Cava, E. Rizzuto, D. Borello, Z. Del Prete, “Scaled test bench for the measurement of a hybrid full-electric powertrain efficiency”, Measurement Sensors, Vol 38, 2025.
• M. Ingrosso et al., " Assessing Mouse Uterosacral Ligament Physiological Range: Measurement of Static and Dynamic Properties" 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Chania, Greece, 2025.
• E. Lancia, “3D Printed Specimens' Elasticity for Cerebral Aneurysm Mock-Ups: A Characterization of the Instrumentation Uncertainty” 2025 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Chania, Greece, 2025.
• C. Cava et al., "Design and Testing of a Test Bench for Hybrid Train Powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Batteries," 2024 IEEE International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering and 2024 IEEE Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Europe (EEEIC / I&CPS Europe), Rome, Italy, 2024, pp. 1-7.
• L. Apa, Z. Del Prete, F. Forconi, M. Palermo, F. R., Fulginei, E. Rizzuto, L. Sabino, "Neural Network Approaches for State of Charge Prediction of Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Batteries," 2024 IEEE 22nd Mediterranean Electrotechnical Conference (MELECON), Porto, Portugal, 2024, pp. 236-241.
• D. Marazzi, F. Trovalusci, S. Vesco, R. Bei, L. Apa, M.V. Martire, E. Rizzuto, “Investigation of Process Strategies for the Implementation of Cerebral Vessel by Additive Manufacturing”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Eindhoven, June 2024.
• M. V. Martire et al., "Measuring Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Specimens for Creating Cerebral Aneurysm Mock-Ups for Surgical Training," 2024 IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Eindhoven, Netherlands, 2024, pp. 1-6.
• V. Negri et al., "Analyzing the Performance of AI-Based Battery SoC Estimation: A Metrological Point of View," 2024 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), Glasgow, United Kingdom, 2024, pp. 1-5.
• L. D'Alvia, E. Pelssers, E. J.M. Moonen, Z. Del Prete, Zaccaria, L. Apa, J. M. J. Den Toonder, “Skin safety test in electrowetting application: a preliminary study”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Jeju, Sud Corea, 2023.
• L. Apa, L. D’Alvia, B. Peruzzi, E. Rizzuto, Del Prete Z., “Design and characterization of a flow silicone chamber for combined cell stimulation: a computational fluid dynamic analysis”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Jeju, Sud Corea, 2023.
• F. Forconi*, L. Apa*, M. Cosentino, A. Musarò, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Effects of ROI positioning on the measurement of engineered muscle tissue contractility with an optical tracking method”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Messina, Italy, 2022.
• F. Forconi*, L. Apa*, L. D’Alvia, M. Cosentino, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Electric field distribution analysis for the design of an electrode system in a 3D neuromuscular junction microfluidic device”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Lausanne, Swithzerland, 2021.
• S. Carraro, L. Apa, E. Urciuoli, B. Peruzzi, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, “The cell-matrix interplay: Stiffness and strain homogeneity characterization of substrates for adherent cells”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Rome, Italy, 2020.
• L. Apa, F. Martelli, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Design of a new device to measure skeletal muscle engineered tissues’ contractile force by using an optical tracking technique”, IEEE International symposium on medical measurements and applications (MeMeA), Istanbul, Turkey, 2019.
• L. Apa, E. Urciuoli, L. D’Alvia, B. Peruzzi, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, “Development and mechanical validation of an in vitro system for bone cell vibration loading”, IEEE International symposium on medical measurements and applications (MeMeA), Rome, Italy, 2018.
• S. Pisu, L. Apa, M. Cosentino, A. Musaro, E. Rizzuto, and Z. Del Prete, “Measuring the X-MET’s maximum power: A preliminary study”, IEEE International Symposium on Medical Measurements and Applications (MeMeA), Rome, Italy, 2018.
*These authors contributed equally to the work

Conference Abstracts
• L. Apa, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, “Design and implementation of a safety monitoring system for lithium-ion batteries using fiber bragg grating sensors”. National Symposium on Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, Napoli, Italy, September 10-12, 2025.
• L. Apa, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, “Development of a Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Monitoring System Based on Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors”. National Symposium on Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, Livorno, Italy, 2025.
• L. Apa, L. D’Alvia, Z. Del Prete, E. Rizzuto, “Valutazione dell’accuratezza di un sistema automatico per la caratterizzazione di batterie a ioni-litio in applicazioni di stoccaggio di energie rinnovabili domestiche”. National Symposium on Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, Bologna, Italy, September 13-15, 2023.
• E. Rizzuto, F. Martelli, L. Apa, Z. Del Prete, “Determinazione dell’accuratezza di un sistema sperimentale per la misura della potenza generata dai tessuti muscolari ingegnerizzati in vitro”. National Symposium on Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, Perugia, Italy, September 12-14, 2019.
• L. Apa, M. Cosentin, A. Musarò, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Caratterizzazione di un metodo ottico per la misura della forza di contrazione di un tessuto ingegnerizzato in vitro”. National Symposium on Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, Messina, Italy, September 10-12, 2020.
• L. Apa, F. Forconi, B. Peruzzi, E. Rizzuto, Z. Del Prete, “Strain field characterization of a stretching device for in vitro cell mechanotransduction”. National Symposium on Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, Brescia, Italy, September 15-17, 2022.

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Rome, 24/04/2026
Ludovica Apa