Interview with Dr. Fabrizio Lo Regio—Winner of the Sensors Travel Award

1. Congratulations on winning the Sensors Travel Award! Could you tell us about your current research interests? What motivated you to pursue this area of study?
Thank you for the opportunity. I am truly honored to receive this recognition. My current research explores the fundamental duality between quantum systems and measurement engineering, investigating how paradigms like quantum machine learning and quantum communication can transcend classical limits in sensor networks. Concurrently, as we navigate the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, where hardware remains inherently constrained, I leverage advanced measurement frameworks to characterize these limitations, thereby establishing a strategic roadmap for practical implementation. My work identifies the vital trade-off between theoretical performance and physical realizability, ensuring that quantum integration remains both effective and sustainable. This metrological rigor is the essential bridge for translating theoretical advantages into robust, real-world instrumentation. My motivation for pursuing this field is rooted in my academic journey, which began as a biomedical engineer. This background instilled in me a fascination with the physical boundaries of data acquisition and processing, which led me to pivot toward the quantum domain to tackle classical bottlenecks.

2. Attending international conferences is an essential part of scientific collaboration and growth. How do you plan to promote the journal at the conference? What is the significance of attending such conferences in expanding your international cooperation or enhancing your academic influence?
Attending a cornerstone event like the IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC 2026) is indispensable for cultivating a robust international research footprint. The conference provides a unique forum to bridge the divide between theoretical quantum physics and practical engineering, fostering the cross-pollination of ideas and spontaneous collaborations that are impossible in isolation. This exposure is vital for integrating global perspectives into my research and contributing to the strategic roadmap of modern instrumentation. Having previously published with Sensors, I can personally attest to the expeditious peer-review cycles. As a recipient of the Sensors Travel Award, I intend to promote the journal’s commitment to excellence and highlight the transformative impact such support can have on accelerating the careers of researchers.

3. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?
My primary advice would be to cultivate a relentless curiosity. In an era often dominated by fast science and the pressure to publish, the most profound impacts are made by those who dare to look beyond the immediate horizon. Rather than simply adhering to prevailing paradigms, we should critically interrogate and deconstruct them. I am firmly convinced that the most meaningful contributions emerge at the intersection of disciplines, where the synthesis of different perspectives stimulates true innovation. Above all, we should recognize that research is a collective pursuit, which requires a shift from individualistic competition to a culture of shared knowledge and mutual advancement.

4. Do you have any suggestions for improving the visibility of these awards?
Firstly, increasing the on-site editorial presence at international conferences would facilitate direct engagement with potential applicants. Additionally, establishing formal communication channels with the administrative offices of university doctoral schools would ensure that announcements are disseminated directly to their most pertinent audience, thereby optimizing both reach and institutional recognition.

5. Do you have any other suggestions on how our journal could further support young researchers and the academic community?
I believe there is a significant opportunity to further integrate young researchers and doctoral students into the journal’s ecosystem. Currently, the eligibility requirement for reviewers to hold a PhD may overlook the contributions of PhD students and candidates. I suggest formally adopting a Co-Reviewer framework that allows them to contribute to the evaluation process under the direct supervision of expert reviewers. This would provide doctoral candidates with essential professional development and a deeper understanding of editorial standards. To further incentivize this participation, the journal could introduce an Outstanding Junior Reviewer Award to specifically recognize the critical contributions and high-quality feedback provided by these emerging scholars. Furthermore, to bridge the gap between research and publication, the journal could host targeted seminars or webinars focusing on effective scientific communication and the peer-review process.