It is with great sadness that the School of Engineering announces the recent passing of our Senior Lecturer Dr Enrico Mastropaolo, who died in hospital on 15 July 2019. 

Enrico gained his Laurea degree in Micro-Electronics Engineering from the University of Padova (2006) before completing a PhD in Microsystems and Microfabrication in our School in 2011, working in the Institute for Integrated Micro and Nano Systems (IMNS). He was then a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the School before his appointment to a lectureship in 2013, and further promotion to Senior Lecturer in 2019. 

Enrico's research focused on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), their design, simulation, fabrication, and characterisation, with a special interest in transduction techniques and the dynamics of microstructures. Latterly, he worked on polymer-based structures and the interaction of micro and small-scale structures with fluid flows, along with Khelil Sefiane.

Possibly one of the most significant contributions that Enrico made to engineering was a paper published in Nature, which analysed the extraordinary flying ability of dandelion seeds and in doing so revealed a form of flight that had not been seen before in nature. 

Funeral and Book of Condolences

Enrico’s funeral will be held in his hometown of Padua, Italy, on Thursday 18 July at 10.30am at San Carlo Church. He will also be remembered at the 5.15pm mass on the same day, at St. Albert’s Catholic Chapel, 23 -24 George Square in Edinburgh.

The School has opened a Book of Condolences at the Engineering Teaching Office, where staff and students may record their memories and feelings about Enrico. This will be passed to his family at a future date.

A full obituary will be published in coming weeks.