Barbara is Full Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Politecnico di Milano (Italy), where she received her M.S. degree in 1997 and her PhD degree in 2002, both in Industrial Engineering. She is the director of  SITEC—Laboratory for Laser Applications at Politecnico di Milano and leads PromozioneL@ser within AITeM association, which connects Italian laser users in industry and academia.  Her research interests lie in the area of advanced manufacturing processes, specifically laser processes and additive manufacturing. Current focus is on monitoring and close-loop control of laser cutting, development of innovative SLM solutions, such as multi-material and high-preheating chambers, robotic laser metal deposition of large components in aluminium and titanium alloys.