Alfredo Edoardo Ongaro

I’m the engineer with a knack for turning everyday objects into ingenious solutions, just like MacGyver, but with a lab coat and a dash of artistic flair. My mission? Bringing scientific tech from the lab to the market while weaving together microfluidics, material science, product innovation, and sustainability.

Microfluidic Eng. and Product Developer of BioAirWatch ICFO Launchpad initiative                         Spain/2021 – ongoing

• Conducted in-depth analysis of product competitiveness and market research for BioAirWatch, a microfluidic device for real-time and on-site monitoring of air quality (bioaerosol), Identification of product requirement definitions and KPI
• Prepared a comprehensive pitch deck for BioAirWatch, showcasing its potential impact on the market and its competitors.
• Designed, built, and tested a microfluidic sensor prototype (LOD: about 500 cfu/mL) to detect TBC (tuberculosis) for the portable BioAirWatch device as part of the ICFO Launchpad initiative. 

PostDoctoral Researcher[1] ICFO/Barcelona                                                                                                                       Spain/2019-ongoing

• Led a team of 6 researchers in the development and testing of an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) biomedical device for SARS-CoV-2 detection from saliva, achieving 91.2% sensitivity and 90% specificity, using agile methodologies.
• Co-led the development and validation (TRL3-TRL6) of a modular system for quality control of water matrices, demonstrating involvement in product validation and assessment (sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 60% and accuracy of 80%).
• Successfully translated a sensor for airborne monitoring into a market product, securing 150 K funding.
• Established a Fast-Lab for rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices within a short timeframe of 4 months, equipped with 3D printers, laser cutter, heated press, and UV curing lamp.
• Developed and implemented automated bio-staining protocols (e.g., immunoassays and Liquid-FISH) for monitoring bacteria and viruses.
• Prepared technical reports, project proposals, and patents, demonstrating the ability to draw up records and reports for conformity assessment.

 Postgraduate Researcher Heriot Watt University/ Edinburgh                                                                                           UK/ 2016- 2019 Development of rapid prototyping and mass-scalable methods for the production of high quality environmentally sustainable microfluidic devices for point-of-care and organ-on-chip applications.

• Pioneered the creation of a green microfluidic consortium between major European manufacturers and universities, contributing to environmentally sustainable microfluidic device production.
• Successfully demonstrated the mass production of 300 microfluidic devices made of PLA, showcasing expertise in manufacturing and scaling methods.
• Developed rapid prototyping methods, including laser cutting, 3D printing, electrospinning, TIPS, and innovative surface functionalization, to manufacture microfluidic devices and membranes for blood-plasma separation.

[1] 2022- Ongaro et al., Engineering a sustainable future for point-of-care diagnostics and single-use microfluidic devices (LOC); 2022-Ongaro et al., A small form factor flow virometer for SARS-CoV-2 (BOE); 2020-Ongaro et al., Polylactic is a Sustainable, Low Absorption, Low Autofluorescence Alternative to Other Plastics for Microfluidic and Organon-Chip Applications. Anal. Chem; 2022- patent application: P34377EP0.

PhD in Sustainable Microfluidic 

Heriot Watt University, UK

2016-2019

MsC in Material Science and Engineering

Politecnico of Palermo, IT

2015-2016

BEng Civil and Environmental Engineering

Politecnico of Palermo

2015