Hello
Luca Latronico
Spoke Leader
About Me
Dr. Latronico is a Research Director at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN).
After earning a PhD in elementary particle physics, he focused on the design and construction of advanced detection systems for high-energy cosmic radiation measurements. His work includes contributions to the silicon strip tracker of NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and to the photosensors of the Cherenkov detectors at the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. In addition to sensor design and qualification, he has coordinated telescope calibration activities aimed at achieving high-precision measurements and advancing the understanding of major scientific questions such as the nature of dark matter and the origin of cosmic rays.
Since 2017, he has led the construction of detection units onboard NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), based on an INFN-developed gas pixel detector technology capable of measuring X-ray polarization.
From 2023 onward, he has been involved in the proposal for the third-generation gravitational wave interferometer, the Einstein Telescope, and coordinates the INFN group supporting the candidacy of a site in Sardinia to host the observatory.
He is also engaged in cross-cutting areas such as technology transfer and project management methodologies, with active roles in INFN committees defining related strategies.
He coordinates the activities of the many partners involved in Spoke 4 of the Space It Up! program, where new sensors and measurement systems for particles and fields are being developed for future Earth observation space missions.
After earning a PhD in elementary particle physics, he focused on the design and construction of advanced detection systems for high-energy cosmic radiation measurements. His work includes contributions to the silicon strip tracker of NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and to the photosensors of the Cherenkov detectors at the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. In addition to sensor design and qualification, he has coordinated telescope calibration activities aimed at achieving high-precision measurements and advancing the understanding of major scientific questions such as the nature of dark matter and the origin of cosmic rays.
Since 2017, he has led the construction of detection units onboard NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), based on an INFN-developed gas pixel detector technology capable of measuring X-ray polarization.
From 2023 onward, he has been involved in the proposal for the third-generation gravitational wave interferometer, the Einstein Telescope, and coordinates the INFN group supporting the candidacy of a site in Sardinia to host the observatory.
He is also engaged in cross-cutting areas such as technology transfer and project management methodologies, with active roles in INFN committees defining related strategies.
He coordinates the activities of the many partners involved in Spoke 4 of the Space It Up! program, where new sensors and measurement systems for particles and fields are being developed for future Earth observation space missions.