His research focuses on the development and application of advanced imaging systems, primarily in the field of nuclear medicine for diagnostic, interventional, and preclinical purposes. Operating within a multidisciplinary framework, he integrates engineering, medicine, and biology to create innovative technologies for biomedical research and clinical translation.

He has led the design and realisation of several imaging prototypes, including compact intraoperative gamma cameras and directional gamma probes, aimed at improving surgical precision and lesion localisation. His contributions to silicon photomultiplier-based systems have enabled the development of miniaturised, high-performance devices.

He pioneered the application of super-resolution techniques in nuclear imaging (SSR), resulting in patented methodologies validated through in vivo studies. This approach enhances image quality beyond the intrinsic limits of conventional detectors.

His research activity has led to the production of several patents, fostering effective technology transfer and enabling the development of innovative imaging devices with potential clinical and industrial applications.

His work also involves coordinating operations of a MILabs “OI/CT” preclinical imaging system at the animal facility within the EMMA/INFRAFRONTIER/IMPC International Research Infrastructure at IBBC-CNR, managing hybrid morphological (CT) and functional (scintigraphy, fluorescence/bioluminescence) imaging acquisition, reconstruction, post-processing, and data analysis, supporting collaborations with biological research groups.

Education:

• 2nd Level Master’s Degree in Nuclear Techniques for Environment, Industry and Cultural Heritage, jointly offered by University of Rome “La Sapienza”, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN).
• Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering, University of Rome “La Sapienza”. Thesis conducted at ENEA-Casaccia Research Centre within the European COST524 program, Working Group 5, focusing on neutron imaging techniques and evaluation of tomographic reconstruction algorithms.

Positions:

• From 2003 to 2011: Researcher at the CNR spin-off “Li-tech” (Miniaturised Scintigraphic Devices);
• Since Oct. 2011: Researcher at Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (Italian National Research Council) – Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology/Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, “A. Buzzati-Traverso” Int. Campus, Monterotondo (Rome), Italy;
• Since Sept. 2017: Co-founder of the CNR innovative start-up “Imagensys”;
• Since 2018: University lecturer in Electronics at the Postgraduate School of Nuclear Medicine, University “La Sapienza” of Rome;
• Since 2020: Member of the Joint Analysis and Feasibility Committee (CAFC) of the PROMO-TT Instrument project, a collaborative initiative with Unioncamere for the technology transfer and promotion of CNR technologies;
• Since 2022: Coordinating operations of in vivo multi-imaging laboratory (Optical/CT) at IBBC-CNR, Monterotondo Research Campus.
• Since 2023: Technical Scientific Evaluator for project proposals under the Italian Programme “Fund for Sustainable Growth” (FCS – Fondo per la. Crescita Sostenibile, managed by the Ministry of Economic Development MiSE);

Awards and Recognitions:

• 2018 – Health Technology Challenge AIIC Award, XVIII National Conference of the Italian Association of Clinical Engineers (AIIC) Best work: “Gamma Camera for Oncological Diagnostics”;
• 2018 – AIIC “Innovation Health Care” Award XV National Innovation Award, received with the Imagensys Team;
• 2017 – Second Prize, Start Cup Lazio 2017. Awarded with the Imagensys Team;

Patents selection:

• EP-4423535-A1 / US-2025012932-A1 “Scintigraphic intracavitary measurement device”, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, R. Massari et al.
• EP-4302139-A1 / US-2024230931-A9 “Scintigraphic measurement device with extended area”, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, R. Massari et al.
• EP-4136479-A1 / US-2023161056-A1 “Directional gamma detector”, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, R. Massari et al.
• EP-4189441-A1 / US-2023284985-A1 “Multifunction gamma radiation detector”, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, R. Massari et al.
• EP-4305466-A1 / US-2024151861-A1 “Scintigraphic detection device with a high degree of compactness and simplified Electronics”, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, R. Massari et al.
• EP-2909654-A1 / US-20150282773-A1 “Portable gamma camera”, Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, R. Massari et al.

• Valentini, G. Mele, M. Attili, M.R. Assenza, F. Saccoccia, F. Sardina, C. Rinaldo, R. Massari, N. Tirelli, A. Pontecorvi, F. Moretti, “Targeting the MDM2-MDM4 interaction interface reveals an otherwise therapeutically active wild-type p53 in colorectal cancer”, Molecular Oncology, 28 February 2025. Doi:10.1002/1878-0261.70006
• Prosperi, N. Marchetti, A. D’Elia, R. Massari, M. Giusto, A. Pietrodangelo, T. Rossi, A. Nucara, F. Scavizzi, G. Strimpakos, S. Marinelli, S. Mandillo, F.R. D’Amato, S. Farioli-Vecchioli, “Inhalation of nanoplastics in the mouse model: Tissue bio-distribution and effects on the olfactory system”, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 968, 10 March 2025, Pages 178853. Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178853
• Lazar, F. Gelardi, A. Sagona, M. Rodari, L. Leonardi, R. Massari, A. D’Elia, A. Soluri, A. Chiti & L. Antunovic, “Smaller is better? Compact vs. Conventional gamma camera for sentinel lymph node localization in patients with breast cancer”, European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Volume 52, 05 November 2024, Pages 1028–1037. Doi: 10.1007/s00259-024-06970-w
• Massari, G.S.P. Mok, “Editorial: New trends in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)”, Frontiers in Medicine, Volume 10, 20 December 2023. Doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1349877
• D’Elia, A. Soluri, F. Galli, S. Schiavi, G. De Silva, A. Biasini, A. Soluri, V. Trezza, R. Massari, “Development of a high-resolution SSR-SPECT system for preclinical imaging and neuroimaging”, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Volume 1025, 11 February 2022, Pages 166161. doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2021.166161.
• D’Elia, S. Schiavi, A. Soluri, R. Massari, A. Soluri and V. Trezza, “Role of Nuclear Imaging to Understand the Neural Substrates of Brain Disorders in Laboratory Animals: Current Status and Future Prospects”, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, Volume 14, 11 December 2020. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.596509
• Massari, A. D’Elia, A. Soluri, A. Soluri, “Super Spatial Resolution (SSR) method for small animal SPECT imaging: A Monte Carlo study”, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Volume 982, 1 December 2020, Pages 164584. doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2020.164584.

Imaging Lab

Roberto Massari , Annunziata D’Elia

Emma European infrastructure

• Novel sustainable BIOactive COATings to preserve metal surfaces in Cultural heritage and Healthcare (BIO-COATCH). Bando PRIN 2022 PNRR dall’Unione Europea Next Generation EU – D.D. MUR (2023).
• Sviluppo di modelli paziente specifico di micro-ambiente tumorale e sistema immunitario magneto-guidato per lo sviluppo di nuovi approcci terapeutici in medicina personalizzata (MESSENGER). Lazio Innova POR FESR 2014-2020 Avviso Pubblico “Gruppi di Ricerca – 2020” (2020).
• High Resolution Imaging System (HiRIS). Lazio Innova POR FESR 2014-2020 Avviso Pubblico “Gruppi di Ricerca – 2020” (2020).
• Project Platform for the acquisition, analysis and classification of biomedical images for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (PACIB). Lazio Innova POR FESR 2014-2020 Avviso Pubblico “Creatività 2020” (2020).
• Directional Gamma Probe. Progetto di ricerca stipulato tra l’Istituto di Biologia Cellulare e Neurobiologia (IBCN) – CNR e TORRENT SpA (2019).
• Portable Gamma Camera. Progetto di ricerca stipulato tra l’Istituto di Biologia Cellulare e Neurobiologia (IBCN) – CNR e TORRENT SpA (2017).
• Dispositivo Mini Gamma Camera a Super Risoluzione. Contratto con Università La Sapienza, Facoltà di Medicina e Psicologia (2020).
• SPECT Detectors for Small Animal Imaging. Progetto di ricerca stipulato tra l’Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB) – CNR, Peking University (PKU-COE) e ConBio (Shangai) Co., Ltd. (2016).
• Progetto di ricerca stipulato tra l’Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini (IBB) – CNR e Doctormix S.r.l. (2015).

• Il Cnr alla mostra “L’Italia dei Brevetti. Invenzioni e Innovazioni di Successo”
  https://www.cnr.it/it/nota-stampa/n-13111/il-cnr-alla-mostra-l-italia-dei-brevetti-invenzioni-e-innovazioni-di-successo

• La start up Imagensys vince il premio Health Technology Challenge 2018 AI
  https://www.cnr.it/it/news/8111/la-start-up-imagensys-vince-il-premio-health-technology-challenge-2018-aiic

• La start up Imagensys premiata al PNI di Napoli
  https://www.cnr.it/it/news/7802/la-start-up-imagensys-premiata-al-pni-di-napoli

• Il Cnr tra i vincitori della StartCup Regione Lazio 2017
  https://www.cnr.it/it/news/7743/il-cnr-tra-i-vincitori-della-startcup-regione-lazio-2017

• Tutti i vincitori di Start Cup Lazio. E la ricerca si fa impresa
  https://www.fsitaliane.it/it/media/comunicati-stampa/2017/10/24/tutti-i-vincitori-di-start-cup-lazio–e-la–ricerca-si-fa-impres.html

• Nanoplastiche e olfatto, lo studio del Cnr: danni alle capacità sensoriali dopo l’inalazione, possibili correlazioni con Alzheimer e Parkinson
  https://www.ilmessaggero.it/salute/ricerca/nanoplastiche_e_olfatto_lo_studio_del_cnr_danni_alle_capacita_sensoriali_dopo_l_inalazione-8679709.html

• Premio Top Young Engineer per la start-up ‘Imagensys’: è in finale per il Premio Leonardo 2018
  https://www.cnr.it/it/news/8521/premio-top-young-engineer-per-la-start-up-imagensys-e-in-finale-per-il-premio-leonardo-2018

• 100 Italian Life Sciences Stories
  https://symbola.net/ricerca/100-italian-life-science-stories/
  https://symbola.net/approfondimento/imagensys-ls100/