Dr. De Dea is a semiconductor/biotechnology engineering professional and program manager
focused on translating research concepts into product solutions. For 13 years she developed and engineered key aspects of the core technology for the next-generation EUV (Extreme Ultra Violet) lithography systems for chip making that were introduced into high-volume manufacturing by Cymer/ASML in 2019. These systems have been defined as the most complicated machines humans have built (NYT article in 2021); they are and will enable innovation in, for example, self-driving cars, IoT, wireless communication and machine learning. She holds several patents on aspects of the technology and has executed mission-critical problem-solving. She has led cross-functional teams through several complete product cycles from initial concept through product release.
In 2021 Dr. De Dea joined Singular Genomics, a biotechnology company that leverages novel next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multiomics technologies to empower researchers and clinicians. She joined as a technical lead and program manager for the engineering team and led the planning and coordination effort for the launch of the first product. She is now responsible for managing programs and building teams that support the development and launch of new products by leading the effort of all different departments across the organization.
Dr. De Dea holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from UC San Diego where she developed novel analytical instrumentation solving fundamental challenges in mass spectrometry high-pressure sources. She developed products and/or authored publications and patents in the areas of Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) laser-produced plasma lithography sources, mass spectrometry, fluid dynamics, etching, corrosion, advanced materials, coatings, optics, plastics recycling, biotechnology and supercritical fluids. She earned her BS and MS in industrial chemistry at the University of Bologna, Italy in 2001.
Dr. De Dea is very passionate about collaborations between academia and industry. She initiated and managed research collaborations with universities and industry focusing on the development of new technologies to support product development and commercialization. She was the UC San Diego liaison at ASML, member of the Corporate Affiliate Program at UC San Diego for 10 years, and member of advisory boards both at USD and UC San Diego. She has been mentoring graduate, undergraduate students and new hires. In her free time she enjoys spending time in the outdoors surfing, skiing and hiking.