Ilaria Testa lights up EVOLVE Mentoring Masterclass on interdisciplinary science, SMART microscopy and team building 

In a compelling EVOLVE Mentoring Masterclass hosted by Euro-BioImaging, Professor Ilaria Testa offered a multifaceted look into her scientific journey, from her interdisciplinary path in research to her innovations in super-resolution microscopy and her philosophy on building impactful research teams. 

The session resonated with scientists across all career stages from the EVOLVE Mentoring Team2025, blending personal insights with cutting-edge science and leadership wisdom.

Based at SciLifeLab and the Unit of Biophysics at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Ilaria leads a research team pioneering next-generation imaging tools that are redefining how we explore the microscopic world, particularly in live-cell environments.

Whether you're just starting out or reimagining your next step in science, Ilaria Testa’s story is a reminder that innovation thrives at the edges—between disciplines, within teams, and beyond the limits of what we thought was visible. 

Interdisciplinary careers: Finding your own scientific path

From physics to biology and a fearless curiosity for the unknown, Ilaria’s journey didn’t follow a straight line—and that’s exactly the point. She started out in physics, but found herself drawn to the complexity of biological questions. That leap across disciplines led her to develop powerful new ways of visualizing life at the nanoscale. Mentorship played a major role too, especially her time working with Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell.

There are many ways to do science, the key is finding the one that speaks to you.

Microscopy, but SMARTer

At the core of Ilaria’s lab is a bold mission: to see the invisible. Her team is at the forefront of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, pushing beyond the limits of traditional optics to uncover how proteins behave, how cells organize themselves, and how life unfolds in real time.

From STED and RESOLFT to her lab’s own innovations like MoNaLISA, Smart RESOLFT, and adaptive STED, Ilaria’s work is opening up completely new ways to look at biology.

Big idea: What if microscopes could think?
That’s the idea behind “event-triggered microscopy,” where the microscope reacts in real-time to what it sees—capturing fast, rare, or fleeting biological events that would otherwise be missed. Want to hear more? Check out Ilaria's TED Talk, where she dives into how these smart microscopes are revolutionizing how we observe the living world.

What makes a great researcher?

Beyond the science, Ilaria offered thoughtful advice on hiring and team-building, an often overlooked but critical component of leading a successful lab.

1. Project-specific expertise aligned with the research.
2. Genuine curiosity and a fascination with the topic.
3. An openness to feedback and self-reflection.
4. Awareness of unconscious biases in recruitment and evaluation.
5. Patience and resilience—because science takes time.
6. Ownership and a collaborative spirit.
7. Strong experimental design and problem-solving skills.

Hiring is not just about technical qualifications, it’s about mindset, passion, and the ability to grow together as a team