Prof. Michele Penza Appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Environmental Sensing Sensors” in Sensors

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Michele Penza as the new Section Editor-in-Chief of Section “Environmental Sensing Sensors” in Sensors (ISSN: 1424-8220).

Michele Penza received his degree in physics in 1990 from the University of Bari, Italy. He first worked at CNRSM SCpA (Science & Technology Park) before joining ENEA in 2001 as a Junior Researcher (L3). From July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2024, he served as the Head of the Laboratory Functional Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Applications (headcount: 45 persons) at ENEA’s Brindisi Research Center. Since January 1, 2023, he has held the position of Prime Researcher (L2). Currently, he manages various research projects and teams in material science and technology, functional materials, sensors, and solid-state devices at the Brindisi Research Center, Italy.

Michele Penza holds the Italian National Scientific Qualification as a Full Professor in Experimental Physics of Matter (02/B1 - ASN 2021-23), valid from 6 February 2023 to 6 February 2035 (Ministry of University and Research Ministerial Decree n. 553/2021 dated on 26 February 2021 and MUR Ministerial Decree n. 589/2021 dated on 05 March 2021). He has been nominated as the World's Top 2% Most-Cited Scientist (2020-now) in Analytical Chemistry and Applied Physics as published by Scopus (Elsevier) and Stanford University.

Notable Roles and Achievements:

• Chair of the Pan-European Research Network for International Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST Action TD1105 EuNetAir, 2012-2016)—European Network on New Sensing Technologies for Air Pollution Control and Environmental Sustainability;
• Chairman of the European Sensor Systems Cluster (ESSC), launched by ECDGR in November 2014, to define a roadmap for sensors and sensor systems for Horizon 2020 calls;
• Coordinator of the EIT Raw Materials Hub – Regional Center Southern Italy (RCSI), 2019-2022;
• Invited Lecturer for the course “Advanced Materials Characterization: From Needs to Opportunities in Sustainability Applications” (6 CFD/30 hours) for the 39^th Cycle PhD students in Nanotechnology at the Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Salento, Lecce (Italy), 2023-2024;
• Adjunct Professor at the University of Salento, Lecce (Italy), teaching the bachelor’s Program in engineering for Sustainable Industry, with a course on the Laboratory of Technologies for Sustainable Production (6 CFD/54 hours, Academic Year 2024-2025) at the Brindisi Teaching Pole.

Michele Penza manages research projects (regional, national, and international) and teams on material science, sensors, and solid-state devices in the Research Center of Brindisi, Italy. His research interests are in functional materials, sustainable materials, critical raw materials, advanced materials, nanostructured materials, sensor materials, gas sensors, portable sensor systems, sensors network for air quality monitoring, functional applications, environmental measurements and technologies, test and functional characterization of materials and devices, wearables, advanced coatings, piezoelectric materials, thermoelectric materials, thin films, multifunctional coatings, nanomaterials, sensing, surface characterization techniques, 2D materials, processing technologies, sustainable processing, carbon nanotubes, graphene and graphene oxide, materials processing, interfaces, metal oxides, smart materials, solid-state materials, nanostructures, nanotechnologies, sputtering, zinc oxide.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Michele Penza, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area:

1. Could you briefly introduce your main research areas and achievements?
My research interests are focused on materials science and engineering for chemical sensing and environmental monitoring, including sensor systems, devices, technologies, and measurements for sustainability applications. At this stage, my publication score consists of 180+ peer-reviewed publications, 3 book chapters, 12 special issues, 1 topical collection, 2 international reports, 150+ conference communications, including 40+ invited/keynote speakers, and 3 national patents. H-index (Sept 2025): 42 (Scopus); 41 (Web of Science); 49 (Google Scholar). Nr. Citations (Sept 2025): 5330+ (Scopus); 4550+ (Web of Science); 7800+ (Google Scholar). I have peer-reviewed 340+ manuscripts and 175+ editor decisions.

I am honored to be listed (2020-now) as the World's Top 2% Most-Cited Scientist in analytical chemistry and applied physics, as published by Elsevier and Stanford University.

My main career achievements include Prime Researcher (2023-now), Head of Laboratory Functional Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Applications (headcount: 45 persons) at ENEA—Brindisi Research Center (1 July 2015 - 30 June 2024), and now I am serving as a Direction Office Member at the Division Advanced Materials and Technologies for Sustainable Manufacturing Industry in ENEA. Furthermore, I was engaged as Chair of the International Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action TD1105 EuNetAir (2012-2016)—European Network on New Sensing Technologies for Air Pollution Control and Environmental Sustainability—including 250+ researchers and scientists belonging to 150+ teams from 35+ Countries (Europe, USA, China, Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Morocco). Also, I have coordinated (2019-2022) the EIT Raw Materials Hub—Regional Center Southern Italy, devoted to the development of critical raw materials in the Mediterranean eco-system for eco-innovation and environmental sustainability. Moreover, my expertise has been useful as Chairman of the European Sensor Systems Cluster (ESSC), launched by EC DG R&I in November 2014, to define a roadmap for sensors and sensor systems for Horizon 2020 calls. Moreover, I have achieved the Italian National Scientific Qualification as a Full Professor in Experimental Physics of Matter (02/B1 - ASN 2021-23), valid from 6 February 2023 to 6 February 2035 (Ministry of University and Research Ministerial Decree n. 553/2021 dated on 26 February 2021 and MUR Ministerial Decree n. 589/2021 dated on 05 March 2021); and currently I serve as Adjunct Professor at University of Salento, Lecce (Italy), teaching the Bachelor’s Program in Engineering for Sustainable Industry, with a course on the Laboratory of Technologies for Sustainable Production (6 CFD/54 hours, Academic Year 2024-2025) at the Brindisi Teaching Pole.

Currently, I am engaged as an international expert reviewer of research projects funded by national and international research councils and agencies.

Finally, before appointment as Section Editor-in-Chief of “Environmental Sensing” in Sensors, I have also served as Associate Editor for MDPI journals (Sensors, Chemosensors) and other international publishers.

2. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role of Section Editor-in-Chief?
Sensors is a high-quality, open access and excellent journal with a high impact factor indexed in many important research archives to share knowledge on environmental sensors at the global level. My previous experience as Associate Editor of Sensors confirmed that the rigorous peer-review and relatively short timing of acceptance for publication are an optimal basis to corroborate our journal as a top magazine to host outstanding research on sensors for environmental monitoring, sustainability, resilience, and eco-innovation. These objectives will be pursued by thematic Special Issues and specific Topical Collections edited by outstanding scientists and excellent researchers to update the current state-of-the-art. Reviews and Research Articles will be continuously welcomed by rigorous peer review actions. Scientific Webinars, as online editions, will be supported and promoted by outstanding Invited Speakers from academia, research, and industry to inspire the sensor community, attract new Editorial Board Members, and disseminate ongoing Special Issues and Topics of the “Environmental Sensing” Section in Sensors.

3. What are your expectations and suggestions for the future development of our Section and the journal?
My vision for Sensors is to consolidate its editorial position as the top global platform for outstanding research with multidisciplinary and innovative aspects, bridging academia and industry. I am engaged as Section Editor-in-Chief to expand the section scope to include emerging fields such as green and digital technologies for sustainable energy applications, AI-supported sensors development, IoT sensor-systems integration, novel electronic devices for environmental monitoring and measurements, and sustainable manufacturing, taking into account the highest standards of peer-review and open access. The topics and contents of the Section will be in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN). With key involvement of leading scientists, senior experts, and early-stage researchers, I will push Sensors as a reference journal for shaping the future of environmental sensing technologies and measurements at a higher impact.

4. Do you have any suggestions for young researchers in this field?
The engagement of young researchers in Sensors is crucial for future sustainable development. They will be encouraged to attend webinars, participate as peer-reviewers, co-author excellent papers and reviews, author a thesis or dissertation in the field of applied sensors, environmental sensor technologies, and sustainable applications, and receive grants for best posters and/or best oral presentations should be awarded to boost their scientific interests in innovative environmental sensors. Gender balance between females and males will be supported as much as possible in all agendas of Sensors initiatives.

We wish Prof. Michele Penza every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.