Sensors | International Women’s Day 2025: Celebrating the Female Winners of the Sensors Travel Award
The journal Sensors (ISSN: 1424-8220) is proud to present a unique initiative in honor of International Women's Day 2025: “Meet the Female Winners of the Sensors Travel Award”! This series of interviews focuses on female scientists who received our journal’s 2025 travel awards.
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Dimitra Kourti, from the Immunoassays/ImmunoSensors Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear & Radiological Sciences & Technology, Energy & Safety, NCSR “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, Greece, and Dr. Lara Franhin, from the Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, are among the five winners of the Sensors 2025 Travel Award.
The Sensors Travel Award was launched in 2016 and is presented each year to encourage junior scientists to present their latest research at academic conferences concerning the field of sensors, helping to enhance their influence. As a winner of this award, both Dr. Kourti and Dr. Franchin will receive CHF 600 and a certificate. All winners were chosen by the journal’s award committee.
Let us hear their opinions and hear about their experiences with scientific research and awards.
Meet Dr. Dimitra Kourti—Winner of the Sensors 2025 Travel Award
1. Can you briefly introduce the main focus of your research and its significance in the field of sensors? How does your work contribute to advancements in sensor technology or related applications?
My field of interest involves the development of portable immunosensors for the on-site detection of harmful agents in food matrices, specifically photonic sensors based on the Broadband Mach–Zehnder Interferometry principle. The unique design of these sensors allows for direct immersion into the sample, making them easy to use while eliminating the need for microfluidics and pumps. This innovation enables the construction of a compact, portable instrument for rapid on-site determinations providing real-time and quantitative results within minutes. This platform has been successfully applied to detect goat, ewe, and donkey milk adulteration with bovine milk, as well as aflatoxin M1 and bacteria in milk, allergens, and antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human sera. The development of these immunosensors and measuring systems could help to ensure compliance with regulatory limits for various harmful agents in food matrices, making them a valuable asset for improving food safety and protecting public health. Additionally, these sensors can be adapted for the detection of various biomarkers used in disease diagnosis and monitoring, as well as for identifying environmental pollutants.
2. When and how did you become aware of the Sensors journal? What inspired you to pursue research in this field, and what motivated you to apply for the Sensors 2025 Travel Award?
I became aware of Sensors early in my career, as my focus on biosensors naturally led me to explore the extensive research published in the journal. Keeping up with its cutting-edge research not only broadened my understanding of the field but also inspired me to contribute my own work. My passion for advancing biosensor technology further motivated me to attend conferences, where gaining insights from world-famous experts could directly benefit my current and future projects by allowing me to integrate advanced methodologies and techniques into my research. Therefore, when I learned about the Sensors 2025 Travel Award and its potential to support my participation in such conferences, I was immediately excited and eager to apply.
3. Do you have any other suggestions on how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?
The support that Sensors already provides to young researchers and the academic community is significant. Through its publication platform, awards, and recognition opportunities, the journal plays a crucial role in promoting scientific progress and encouraging young researchers to contribute high-quality work. To further enhance this support, Sensors could offer scholarships for outstanding young researchers, helping to mitigate financial barriers to research and academic growth. Additionally, organizing seminars on effective scientific writing and the publication process would be highly beneficial, equipping researchers with the necessary skills to successfully publish their work. Also, hosting specific seminars at various institutions, potentially through academic exchange programs, could also strengthen collaborations and knowledge sharing across different research communities. These initiatives would further empower young researchers and enhance Sensors’ impact within the academic world.
4. What impressed you most about your previous collaboration with MDPI?
What impressed me most about my previous collaboration with MDPI was its rapid response throughout the publication process. From manuscript submission to peer review and final decision, the efficiency and prompt communication ensured a smooth and transparent experience.
5. What is your opinion on open access publishing, and how do you think it benefits the scientific community?
By making research freely accessible to everyone, regardless of institutional affiliation or financial resources, open access ensures that scientific advancements are not limited to a select few but are available to all. This accessibility allows researchers to stay informed about the latest developments and refine their work based on ongoing studies. Moreover, educators and the public, who may otherwise lack access to advanced research, can stay updated on groundbreaking discoveries, promoting a more informed and scientifically engaged society.
Meet Dr. Lara Franchin—Winner of the Sensors 2025 Travel Award
1. Can you briefly introduce the main focus of your research and its significance in the field of sensors? How does your work contribute to advancements in sensor technology or related applications?
My research is devoted to the development of low-cost sensing systems with high sensitivity and reliability that can be applied in point-of-care analysis, addressing practical diagnostic needs in the agricultural and healthcare sectors. The core of my work focuses on designing, validating, and modeling biosensors employing electrochemical measurement techniques and optical methods, including impedance spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance. In particular, I aim to tackle the electrode design and layout optimization issues through the multiphysics model I developed for biosensors’ electrochemical response. In addition, I have dedicated the last year of my research to the fabrication of field-effect transistor-based biosensing systems using innovative graphene-based materials, as this technology has high potential for achievable sensitivity and circuit integration, which are crucial factors in point-of-care diagnostics.
2. When and how did you become aware of the Sensors journal? What inspired you to pursue research in this field, and what motivated you to apply for the Sensors 2025 Travel Award?
I first became aware of the Sensors journal through discussions with colleagues who frequently referenced it as a leading journal in the field. I explored its publications and came across several insightful articles on novel biosensor applications. The journal focuses on all the aspects of sensor technologies with an interdisciplinary approach, making it a valuable resource for my research. My initial interest in this field began during my master’s thesis work, where I had the opportunity to start learning about sensors and their applications. I then solidified my decision to pursue this area of study thanks to the influence of my supervisor, who encouraged me to deepen my knowledge, along with the growing impact of sensor technologies. As a Ph.D. candidate, I applied to the Sensors 2025 Travel Award, knowing it was a wonderful opportunity to take part in high-level international conferences with abundant occasions for research dissemination and enriching discussions, where I hope to engage with and learn from a dynamic community of experts.
3. How will you promote the Sensors journal at a conference? Apart from conferences, what are your preferred avenues for promoting Sensors within your community?
I would promote the Sensors journal, sharing that my participation in the conference was made possible in part by the Sensors 2025 Travel Award, showcasing the journal’s commitment to supporting researchers and highlighting the high-impact articles published in the journal. Beyond conferences, I would promote the Sensors journal through online platforms, including LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and relevant professional groups. I also believe in word-of-mouth promotion, discussing the journal’s impact factor, editorial process, and open access benefits with colleagues and collaborators.