Ph.D. Graduate

PhD in Microwave Antenna Engineering (Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland)
B.E. (Hons) in Computer Engineering (Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland)
Technical Telecommunications Engineering (Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain)

About

Sergio Curto completed his PhD in 2010. His thesis was on "Antenna Development for Medical Applications" in the Antennas & High Frequency Research Centre at the Dublin Institute of Technology. Following completion of his Technical Telecommunication Engineering degree from the UAH, Madrid and a B.E. (Hons) degree in Computer Engineering at DIT in 2005, he started research into electrically small antennas. His work focused Small Antennas for Ultra Wideband applications on an Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept fund.
Later, his research focused on the design, analysis and measurements of antennas for medical applications. In 2007, he spent 6 months with the Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore, where he worked on analysis and SAR measurements of antennas for hyperthermia treatments. This research was founded by the IRCSET Embark Initiative Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme.

From September 2010 to March 2014 he worked at Rymsa Espacio, Madrid, Spain, where he was responsible for designing antennas and passive equipment for communication satellites.

In April 2014, Dr. Curto joined the Biomedical Devices and Computing Lab, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kansas State University, as Postdoctoral Research Associate. His main research interests include the electromagnetic interaction antenna-human tissue, hyperthermia and ablation cancer treatment, MRI compatible antennas, and medical implantable devices.

Professional Affiliations

• Student Member of the IEEE
• Student Member of Engineers Ireland
• Student Member of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology (ESHO)
• Student Member of Society for Thermal Medicine (STM)

Research Interests and Expertise

Antenna Development for Medical Applications
The research is undertaken in the development of suitable antennas for treatment of cancer by the use of radio frequency power at 434 MHz. The RF energy is used as a sensitiser for subsequent X-Ray/drug treatment. The study of electromagnetic interaction with antennas has benefited from research motivated by safety concerns and the minimization of exposure to human tissue. A priority consideration of this research is to reduce the size of applicators for the treatment of small tumors situated on curved sites of the body surface and to safely deliver high powered electromagnetic energy. However, the antenna efficiency is lowered when its size is reduced and antenna properties are strongly influenced when in presence of human tissue. The challenge is to create small, efficient antennas that can be located in close proximity to human tissue without significant detuning. The electromagnetic coupling mechanism between antennas and human tissue will be analyzed.

This research involves collaboration with The Institute for Infocomm Research, in Singapore, who are world renowned for SAR evaluation. The Rose Lodge Clinic, in Dublin and the D.I.T. Radiation and Environmental Science Centre, who have experience in the areas of non-ionizing and ionizing radiation effects and their exposure to cultured cells, are currently using some of the investigated antennas.

Publications

Awards

Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept founding
IRCSET Embark Initiative Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme