Background
Luigi Occhipinti has over 30 years of experience leading research and innovation across academia and industry, covering multiple disciplines including flexible and wearable sensor systems, biomedical devices, advanced signal processing, artificial intelligence and robotics, renewable energy systems, and advanced nanomaterials.
He joined Loughborough University in April 2026 as Chair Professor of Digital Transformation and Engineering in the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, from his previous appointment at the University of Cambridge, where he was a Research Full Professor of Smart Electronics, Biosystems and AI, in the Department of Engineering and Director of Facilities for the Electrical Engineering, the Nanoscience Centre and the Cambridge Graphene Centre.
Since joining the University of Cambridge in April 2014 Prof. Occhipinti has been the founder and head of the OcchipintiGroup, a world-leading multi-disciplinary research team developing scientific discovery and groundbreaking innovation in advanced materials and intelligent wearable electronics, neuromorphic computing, and digital twin technologies for healthcare and wellbeing applications. He also founded multiple University spin-offs and start-up companies, together with his former students, postdoc and colleagues.
Prior to joining the University of Cambridge, Dr Occhipinti was a senior R&D group manager and technical director at STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor player, where he recruited and led 40 members of staff in R&D teams located in Italy, France and Singapore, and was a member of Corporate R&D technical staff contributing to the company’s front-end and manufacturing technology R&D agenda for the post-silicon roadmap.
Dr Occhipinti received his education in Italy with a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and a Laurea (master) degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Catania.
Hir research is captured in over 200 peer-review publications, including several Nature and Science publishing group contributions, with over 1000 citations per year, 4 books and book-chapters, 2 international standards, and over 90 patents and patent applications.
Qualifications and Awards
- 2024 – IEEE Technical Achievement Award in Sensors – Advanced Career awarded by the IEEE Sensors Council for his contribution to “2D material-based flexible sensors with huge impact in academia and industry”
- 2020 – Elevation to Senior Member IEEE awarded by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, NYC
- 2013 – Best patent awards (no.2) awarded by STMicroelectronics CEO for the invention of “Optically-controlled electrical switch device based upon carbon nanotubes and electrical switch system using the switch device” and “Method for realizing a thin film organic electronic device and corresponding device”
- 2012 – Best patent awards (no.2) awarded by STMicroelectronics CEO for the invention of “Low-cost method of fabrication of vertical interconnections combined to metal top electrodes” and “Optical switch device and method”