In Memoriam – Prof. Matteo Pastorino

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Professor Matteo Pastorino on June 5th, 2023.

Matteo Pastorino, Fellow of IEEE, was a full professor of electromagnetics fields at the University of Genoa, Italy, and a distinguished scientist and researcher in the field of applied electromagnetics. He was born in Rossiglione (Genoa), Italy, in 1961. His fruitful academic career started with the Laurea degree in Electronic Engineering, received from the University of Genoa in 1987, and the Ph.D. degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering, received from the same University in 1992. Subsequently, he joined the University of Genoa as an assistant professor and associate professor, arriving to the position of full professor in 2008. In the same academic institution, Prof. Pastorino was Director of the Department of Biophysical and Electronic Engineering (DIBE) from 2008 to 2011, and Director of the Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture (DITEN) for two terms in office, from 2012 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2021. From 2021 to 2022 he assumed the role of Vice Rector for Technology Transfer.

Prof. Pastorino was a very prolific and brilliant scholar. Since 1988, he has been co-authors of more than 600 papers in international journals and conferences, more than 90 in IEEE journals. He has also authored the book Microwave Imaging (Wiley, 2010) and co-authored the book Microwave Imaging Methods and Applications (Artech House, 2018). His research interests mainly included electromagnetic imaging and diagnostic systems, antennas and propagation, direct and inverse electromagnetic scattering. He was one of the pioneers in the development of microwave imaging theory, techniques, and systems starting his work in the field in the eighties of the previous century. His vision opened the door to significant advances in the field, also establishing a “school” of thought with several researchers and students following his example and teachings. He proposed several innovative approaches, ranging from stochastic techniques to novel regularization schemes, which have been applied in various applicative fields. Moreover, he contributed to the development of analytical and numerical techniques for scattering analysis, such as in the case of elliptical structures.

Prof. Pastorino was involved in the IEEE and URSI with a high level of commitment. He was nominated IEEE Fellow in 2009 “For the contributions in the analysis of electromagnetic scattering”. Among all his other duties, he served as Associate Editor for several IEEE journals, such as the IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, the IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, and the IEEE Antennasand Propagation Magazine. He was chair of the 2023 IEEE International Conference on Antenna Measurements and Applications and honorary co-chair of the IEEE International Conference on Imaging Systems and Techniques since its establishment. He also served as Officer (chair) of the Commission B (Fields and Waves) of the Italian CNR-URSI Commission.

In addition to his great scientific accomplishments, Prof. Pastorino was primarily a wonderful person, beloved among all his colleagues and relatives. He was always very sensitive to others’ needs, providing help and sharing words of wisdom to anyone who needed it. He always had a kind word for everyone, in all situations, with a smile to embellish everything. From a didactic perspective, he was a teacher much loved by all his students. Many of them have found a true passion for science through his enthusiasm in teaching and researching. Prof. Pastorino was always eager to share his knowledge with others – but also his doubts and points of criticism – and to learn from them, as well. His kind, humble and sympathetic character, together with his tenacity, made him an extraordinary example among colleagues and friends. He was always ready to express his gratitude to others, and now we cannot find suitable words to thank him.

His death is a tremendous loss to his family, his friends, and the entire scientific community. It is impossible to express with simple words how much we will miss him.

“Di un giovane che non fece mai in tempo ad invecchiare
E non si fece mai dimenticare”