Dr Francesco Merola

Francesco Merola got his PhD in Physics at “Federico II” University of Naples, Italy, where he worked on the optical properties of special materials and their characterization by microscopy, spectroscopy, digital holography, and lasers. He continued his research as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Council of Research of Italy, where he focused on the development of lab-on-a-chip platforms for applications in biomedical and environmental fields, such as the study of cancer cells and microplastics. He moved to New Zealand in 2021, where he worked as a Senior Researcher in Engender Technology company based in Auckland, focusing on sorting bovine sperm cells using laser-based techniques in microfluidic environment, for the benefit of the dairy industry. Always driven by the purpose of solving global problems and needs, Dr. Merola joined the University of Auckland as a Senior Research Fellow in 2022, and in 2023 obtained a New Zealand Government (MBIE) grant for the “Smart Idea” Photonic device for Varroa control in New Zealand and beyond, where he proposes a pesticide-free technology to eradicate Varroa mite from beehives using AI and photonics, saving bee colonies from collapse.