Jessica Groppi

Jessica Groppi serves as a permanent Researcher Level III at the Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) in Bologna since December 2021. Previously, she held postdoctoral positions at ISOF (2018-2021) and the University of Bologna (2016-2018), contributing to projects like MAGNIFY and LEAPS under Prof. Alberto Credi. She maintains teaching affiliations with the University of Bologna's Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Sciences and Technologies (2008) from University of Parma
• Master's Degree in Chemistry (2010) from University of Parma
• PhD in Chemistry (2016) from Queen Mary University of London

Groppi's research centers on stimuli-responsive molecular and supramolecular functional materials, with particular expertise in light-powered molecular machines and supramolecular pumps. Her work bridges supramolecular chemistry, photochemistry, and nanotechnology to develop artificial systems mimicking biological machinery for applications in energy conversion, sensing, and actuation. She has made significant contributions to non-equilibrium molecular systems and light-driven transport mechanisms.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on photochemical energy conversion and dissipative supramolecular architectures. Her work demonstrates progression from fundamental studies on molecular threading/dethreading to advanced second-generation light-fueled pumps, with consistent exploration of azobenzene derivatives and crown ether functionalization. The research consistently addresses challenges in operating molecular machines under non-equilibrium conditions.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Italian Photochemistry Group conference bursary (2017)
• Best Poster Prize at International Society of Electrochemistry meeting (2014)
• Queen Mary University of London Postgraduate Research Fund (2014)

Groppi actively mentors emerging researchers, having co-supervised 3 undergraduate students since 2018, and previously mentored 1 undergraduate and 1 PhD student (2016-2018) plus 4 PhD students (2013-2015). She contributes to major collaborative projects including MAGNIFY (From nano to Macro: a GrouNdbreakIng actuation technology For robotic sYstems) and LEAPS (Light Effected Autonomous PumpS), both directed by Prof. Alberto Credi.

As a core member of the Center for Light Activated Nanostructures at ISOF-CNR, she operates within a multidisciplinary team developing photoresponsive molecular devices. The group integrates synthetic chemistry, spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis to advance molecular machine functionality for potential applications in nanorobotics and energy systems.