Find Academic Supervisors

Aldo Todaro is an Associate Professor of Food Science and Technology at the University of Catania since October 1, 2024. Previously, he worked as a University Researcher (2007–2011) and Associate Professor (2019–2024) at the University of Palermo. His research focuses on enzymatic activity in food processing, brewing innovation (malting processes and beer production), and sustainable food technology. Education: PhD in Food Science and Technology (University of Catania, 2006); Laurea in Food Science and Technology (University of Catania, 2001). His research has resulted in over 100 publications (74 ISI/SCOPUS-indexed) and an H-index of 24. He has participated in national and international projects (PRIN, PON, HORIZON 2020) and collaborated with food companies. Currently, he teaches Fundamentals of Unit Operations and has previously taught Unit Operations in Food Technology , Technology and Quality in the Food Supply System , and Food Processing . Scientific Awards: National Scientific Qualification for first-tier professorships (2021) Open badges for digital competence and language proficiency courses Ordinary member of SISTAl since 2012 International Engagement: Visiting professor at the University of Burgundy (2021) Visiting scientist at Hohenheim University (2009) He serves as a referee for journals like the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and is on the editorial board of three open-access journals. His work spans sustainability assessments (LCA in agrofood), technological innovation in citrus derivatives (via CRA-ITIDA), and digital pedagogy in food science education.

• Food Science
• Food Technology
• Enzymology
• +8 more

Alessandra Pesce is an Associate Professor at the Department of Physics (DIFI) of the University of Genoa, Italy. Her research focuses on structural biology of globins, protein aggregation, and cold-adapted enzymes, with applications in life sciences, environmental monitoring, and cultural heritage preservation. She teaches Applied Physics and Biophysics at both undergraduate and graduate levels in Physics and Biological Sciences. Her work spans from atomic-level characterization of protein crystals using Atomic Force Microscopy to large-scale ecological projects like the LIFE+ WHALESAFE initiative for sperm whale conservation through acoustic monitoring. Email: alessandra.pesce@unige.it Phone: +39 010 33 56243 Research Interests: Structural characterization of hexa-coordinated globins in marine organisms Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of truncated hemoglobins in pathogenic bacteria Quaternary structure adaptations in Antarctic enzymes Development of acoustic monitoring systems for marine mammal conservation Protein aggregation mechanisms in amyloid-related diseases Publication Trends: Over 15 years, her research demonstrates expertise in combining X-ray crystallography with biophysical techniques to study globin family proteins across diverse species (from nematodes to whales). Key themes include heme reactivity modulation, ligand diffusion pathways, and structure-function relationships in extremophile proteins, with recent emphasis on marine conservation technology.

• Biochemistry
• Structural Biology
• Molecular Biophysics
• +4 more

Giacomo Parigi is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florence, affiliated with the Magnetic Resonance Center and the Department of Chemistry. His work focuses on paramagnetic effects in NMR, MRI contrast agents, and protein dynamics. He holds a Physics degree (1992) and a Chemistry PhD from the University of Florence, with postdoctoral and research roles at CERM since 1999. Research Interests: Parigi’s research explores paramagnetic effects in biological molecules, including protein structure determination, MRI contrast agent design, and relaxometry. He co-authored seminal books on NMR of paramagnetic molecules and pioneered methods for studying protein dynamics via field-cycling NMR. His lab integrates computational biology, bioinformatics, and experimental NMR to address biomedical challenges. Publications & Trends: Recent work emphasizes machine learning-enhanced NMR analysis, novel MRI probes (e.g., Mn-based nanogels), and structural studies of metalloproteins. His articles highlight innovations in paramagnetic NMR restraints, dynamic aggregation imaging, and low-field MRI applications. Awards & Grants: No explicit awards mentioned, but his extensive publications reflect significant contributions to NMR methodology. Active in securing grants for structural biology and biomedical imaging projects. Labs & Teams: Leads the Magnetic Resonance Center’s NMR group, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects involving biomaterials, drug design, and protein engineering. His team develops cutting-edge tools for in-cell NMR and metabolomics analysis.

• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
• Paramagnetism-Based Effects
• MRI Contrast Agents
• +4 more

Andrea Nardini is a Full Professor at the University of Trieste , Department of Environmental Biology, specializing in Plant Physiology and ecophysiological responses to environmental stressors. He serves as Coordinator for the Environmental Biology Board of Studies and member of multiple doctoral college boards (XXIX–XXXIX cycles). His research group focuses on Plant Physiological Ecology , investigating hydraulic strategies, drought tolerance, and xylem functionality across diverse species. University of Trieste, Department of Environmental Biology Full Professor of Plant Physiology Coordinator, SM56 - Environmental Biology Board of Studies Research areas: Plant Hydraulics, Drought Adaptation, Ecophysiology His recent work analyzes climate extremes' impacts on grasslands, xylem embolism reversal mechanisms, and green roof plant water relations. Collaborative projects include the H2020 Graphene Flagship and national grants on drought-resistant crops. Students in his group (Agnese Cometto, Giada Caorsi, et al.) explore topics from lichen symbiosis to biomonitoring applications. While no explicit awards are listed, his 15+ recent publications highlight leadership in plant stress physiology and environmental adaptation.

• Plant Physiology
• Ecophysiology
• Environmental Biology
• +3 more

Silvia Holler is a Researcher (RTD-A) at the Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO) at the University of Trento. She specializes in biochemistry, biotechnology, and synthetic biology with a focus on enzymology, catalysis, and structural biology. Her work spans experimental and computational studies of protocells, droplet-based systems, and self-organizing soft matter. Teaching responsibilities include co-teaching the Biochemistry course at CIBIO, where she collaborates with scholars like Giovanni Piccoli and Martin Michael Hanczyc. The course covers foundational topics in biochemistry, enzymology, and molecular structures with practical skills in chromatography and enzymatic kinetics. Research interests emphasize artificial life systems, droplet engineering, and the physics of biological organization. Key themes include protocell formation, compartmentalized biochemistry, and ethical implications of synthetic biology innovations. Recent work explores self-organized patterns in soft matter, active matter dynamics, and computational modeling of multi-phase systems. Publications focus on droplet microfluidics, vesicle interactions, and agglomeration phenomena across scales. Collaborative efforts include editorial roles for artificial life conference proceedings and interdisciplinary projects combining biophysics with materials science. No scientific awards were explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. Her research lab activities are embedded within CIBIO's facilities, focusing on experimental setups for droplet-based synthetic biology and computational simulations of complex systems.

• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Enzymology
• +6 more

Giovanna Di Nardo is an Associate Professor at the University of Turin , affiliated with the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology . Her research focuses on the structure-function relationship of human aromatase , its role in brain function, and estrogen-dependent tumors. Key research areas include: Drug metabolism Post-translational enzyme regulation Electrochemical and spectroscopic methods X-ray crystallography Biocatalyst engineering Endocrine disruptor screening Recent publications highlight innovations in: P450-based drug discovery platforms Phosphomimetic protein studies Monkey/dog cytochrome P450 comparisons Pesticide endocrine disruption Genomic analysis of plant sterility She contributes to teaching in Biochemistry and participates in academic governance bodies.

• Biochemistry
• Enzymology
• Structural Biology
• +7 more

Leonardo PUPPULIN is a Researcher at the Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice. He specializes in Physical Chemistry, with a focus on nanoscale material characterization, biomaterials, and sustainable chemistry. His work includes advanced microscopy techniques such as high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to study biological systems, molecular dynamics, and material degradation mechanisms. He oversees laboratory safety and teaching activities, including courses in Physical Chemistry, Colloids and Interfaces, and Electron Microscopy techniques at both undergraduate and doctoral levels. Research interests span diverse areas: Dynamic imaging of proteins and channels (e.g., TRPV1, TMEM16F) using HS-AFM Development of protective silica-based coatings for cultural heritage artifacts Upcycling chitin into catalytic materials for green chemistry applications Biomedical materials analysis, particularly polyethylene and ceramic implants Optical properties of nanomaterials like NaBiF4 for photonics applications Teaching responsibilities include laboratory supervision and theoretical modules for Chemistry and Nanomaterials programs. He collaborates on interdisciplinary projects combining physical chemistry with biomedical and environmental applications. His 15 most recent articles (2023–2025) highlight advancements in HS-AFM imaging, nanomaterial synthesis, and biomaterial degradation studies, reflecting a strong emphasis on experimental techniques and interdisciplinary applications.

• Physical Chemistry
• Nanosystems
• Atomic Force Microscopy
• +4 more

Stefano Bruno is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma with a focus on Biochemistry . He holds a PhD in Biochemical Sciences from the University of Turin (2002) and has been teaching since 2004, including courses like Applied Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemical Analysis across multiple degree programs. Education : 1997: MS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Parma 2002: PhD in Biochemical Sciences, University of Turin His research spans heme proteins , enzyme characterization , and pharmaceutical applications . Key areas include: Structural and functional analysis of hemoproteins (e.g., neuroglobin, cytoglobin) Development of blood substitutes via hemoglobin modifications Investigation of serine racemase and phosphoserine phosphatase in neurological contexts Protein immobilization in silica gels for functional studies His publications (70+ peer-reviewed, H-index 20) emphasize Antarctic bacterial proteins , enzymatic inhibition , and radiopharmaceutical quality control . He has supervised 8 PhD students and contributed to international conferences like the International Symposium on Blood Substitutes . Recent work includes fluorescent biosensors, NO sensing proteins, and covalent enzyme inhibitors for cancer therapy . Awards : No specific scientific awards listed. Teaching & Leadership : Active in PhD programs ( Biochemistry , Pharmaceutical Sciences ), international schools like the ULLA Summer School , and conference organization (e.g., New Challenges in Protein Science ).

• Biochemistry
• Protein Science
• Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• +2 more

Luca Dellafiora is an Associate Professor at the Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Parma, specializing in Food Chemistry (SSD CHIM/07-B). He leads international mobility coordination for the Master's Degree in Human Nutrition Sciences and manages internship programs. His research focuses on hybrid in silico/in vitro approaches to assess chemical risks and benefits in foods, particularly xenobiotics and mycotoxins. Education PhD in Food Science and Technology (2015), University of Parma Master's in Molecular Biology (2011), University of Parma Bachelor's in Biology (2008), University of Parma Research Interests Prof. Dellafiora investigates chemical and chemico-toxicological aspects of food compounds using computational and experimental methods. Key areas include mycotoxin metabolism , bioactive compound interactions , endocrine disruption , and food risk assessment . His work addresses detoxification strategies and masked mycotoxin analysis. Recent publications highlight trends in in silico modeling for toxin-receptor interactions, foodborne pathogen adhesion , and molecular mechanisms of contaminants . Articles span computational toxicology, mycotoxin research, and food safety innovations. Coordinates Telephone: 902073 Office: Science Park Area 17/A, Chemical Building Email: luca.dellafiora@unipr.it

• Food Chemistry
• Computational Toxicology
• Mycotoxin Research
• +7 more

Dr. Beatrice Cobucci-Ponzano is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Naples Division. She leads research on enzyme biochemistry, particularly focusing on carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), glycosidases, and their applications in biorefineries, green chemistry, and human disease therapeutics. She is the National Coordinator for the IBISBA-IT research infrastructure and a member of the steering committee of the Italian Society of Astrobiology. Her research interests span enzyme structure-function relationships , metagenomics of extreme environments , pharmacological chaperones for lysosomal storage diseases , and translational recoding in Archaea . She investigates extremophilic enzymes for industrial applications and explores the flexibility of the genetic code in relation to the limits of life, contributing to astrobiology. Her work integrates biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural biology. The most recent publications reflect a strong trend in extremozyme discovery , biorefinery applications , glycosynthase engineering , and structural insights into human enzymes like acid alpha-glucosidase for Pompe disease. Her studies often combine omics technologies with functional characterization to bridge sequence data with biological function. Pharmacological Enhancement of α-Glucosidase by the Allosteric Chaperone N-acetylcysteine (2012) Structure of human lysosomal acid alpha-glucosidase - a guide for the treatment of Pompe disease (2017) Ten years of CAZypedia: a living encyclopedia of carbohydrate-active enzymes (2018) Dr. Cobucci-Ponzano has been involved in advising through collaborative research and mentoring within funded projects. She has contributed to patents on pharmacological chaperones and has participated in national and EU-funded grants such as IBISBA 1.0, PREP-IBISBA, Bioindustry 4.0, and ITINERIS under the PNRR. Her lab is part of the European Research Infrastructure IBISBA-EU and the national astrobiology network IAI-ASTROBIOLab, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in biotechnology and space life sciences.

• Enzyme Biochemistry
• Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZymes)
• Glycosidases and Glycosynthases
• +12 more

Dr. Anna Maria Giudetti is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (University of Salento) since December 2001. She earned her PhD in Cellular Biochemistry and Cellular Pharmacology (XIII cycle) in 1997 and Doctor of Research in 2001. Her collaborations span the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University (Netherlands), University of Foggia's Medical Faculty, and the University of Rome 'La Sapienza' Pharmacy Faculty. Expertise in lipid metabolism and mitochondrial bioenergetics Teaches Master's course on Food Science: Principles and Applications Key research areas: diet-related diseases, neurodegeneration, and marine biochemistry Her scientific work focuses on: Nutritional/hormonal regulation of lipid enzymes Pathological lipid metabolism in NASH and diabetes Brain cholesterol in Alzheimer's disease Lipid peroxidation in psychiatric disorders Marine animal lipid synthesis mechanisms Article trends show sustained investigation into mitochondrial carriers (tricarboxylate, citrate), dietary interventions for liver diseases, and lipid metabolism connections to: Neurodegenerative disorders Cancer progression Psychosocial stress responses Inflammatory disease treatment

• Biochemistry
• Food Science
• Lipid Metabolism
• +4 more

Prof. Gabriele Costantino is a Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Parma's Department of Food and Drug Sciences. He has held visiting scientist roles at Searle R&D (USA) and University of Barcelona (Spain), and served as Visiting Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt (Germany). His leadership roles include Director of the Department of Food and Drug Sciences, Scientific Coordinator of the H2020 MSCA-ITN ETN project INTEGRATE , and past President of the Italian Chemical Society's Medicinal Chemistry Division. Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry (University of Perugia, 1992) Academic Career: Research Assistant (1994), Associate Professor (1998), Full Professor (2007) His research focuses on the design and synthesis of neuroprotective agents targeting metabotropic glutamate receptors and the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation, alongside antibacterial agent discovery . Publications include over 140 papers with an h-index of 33. Key article trends involve carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, natural product-based antimicrobials, and structure-activity relationship studies of antitubercular compounds. Scientific Awards : Farmaindustria/SCI prize (2003) XVI Friederich Merz Fellowship (2003) Prof. Costantino coordinated the Ph.D. program in Medicinal Chemistry at University of Parma (2007–2011) and participates in multiple EU-funded research initiatives. Teaching responsibilities span courses like Chemistry of Redox Systems and Molecular Bases of Drug Action across second-cycle and full-cycle degree programs in pharmaceutical and health sciences.

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Antibacterial Agents
• Neuroprotective Agents
• +3 more

Simona Polo is an Associate Professor at the Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, and Director of the Molecular Machines in Signaling Pathways research program at IFOM since 2005. Her work focuses on deciphering ubiquitin's role in cellular communication systems, particularly in cancer and neurodegenerative disease contexts. University of Milan (Biology, 1991) San Raffaele Hospital (Molecular Virology, 1996-1999) European Institute of Oncology (Endocytosis research, 1999-2005) IFOM (Signaling pathways, 2005-present) Her research revealed ubiquitin as a multifaceted signaling device governing processes like EGFR internalization, lysosomal damage response, and neuronal integrity in ALS. She has trained over 20 researchers, including Elena Maspero and Carlos Alberto Niño Suarez. Key awards include EMBO Young Investigator (2009), EMBO Membership (2016), and Milan's Ambrogino d'Oro (2018). Scientific Trends : Polo's publications show sustained focus on ubiquitin's role in endocytosis, cancer signaling, and neurodegenerative disorders. Her structural biology work (X-ray crystallography) and proteomic analyses of ubiquitin networks underpin therapeutic target identification in EGFR-dependent tumors. Honors : EMBO Young Investigator Award (2009) EMBO Membership (2016) Ambrogino d'Oro Civic Medal (2018) Research Impact : Her lab has produced 40+ papers in top journals like Nature and Cell. The team's discovery of ubiquitin's role in lysophagy and identification of novel ubiquitin-binding domains (e.g., CoCUN) have advanced understanding of protein homeostasis in health and disease.

• Ubiquitin signaling
• Cellular signal transduction
• Endocytosis
• +5 more

Fabrizia Fabrizi de Biani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Siena, Italy, specializing in General and Inorganic Chemistry (GSD: 03/CHEM-03). Her academic profile demonstrates a strong commitment to both research and teaching in the chemical sciences. Dr. Fabrizi de Biani's research interests span multiple specialized areas within inorganic chemistry: Electrochemical behavior of transition metal complexes, particularly gold(III) and platinum(II) compounds Synthesis and characterization of organometallic compounds with biological applications Investigation of metal clusters and their redox properties Applications of copper-based enzymes in materials synthesis Electrochemical properties of nanomaterials and their sensor applications Development of metal complexes for agricultural fungicides Analysis of her publication record from 2018-2025 reveals a consistent research trajectory focused on the relationship between molecular structure and electrochemical behavior in metal complexes. A significant portion of her recent work examines gold and platinum complexes with potential biological applications, while other studies explore the electrochemical properties of nanomaterials and metal clusters. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental inorganic chemistry with practical applications in medicine, agriculture, and materials science. As an educator, Dr. Fabrizi de Biani teaches Inorganic Chemistry with Laboratory for the Chemical Sciences degree program at the University of Siena, maintaining regular office hours on Mondays from 14:00 to 17:00. Her laboratory is located on the III floor, II lotto, room B_03_90 at Via A. Moro n. 2 in Siena.

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Bioinorganic Chemistry
• +5 more

Maria Moreno is a Full Professor of Physiology (BIO/09) in the Department of Science and Technology at the University of Sannio, Italy. She has held multiple leadership roles including Director of the Department (2016–2022) and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences. Her academic journey began with a PhD in Physiology from the University of Naples in 1995, followed by progressive appointments at the University of Sannio. Her research centers on thyroid hormones, particularly 3,5-diiodothyronine (T2), and their impact on energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and metabolic disorders. She has published extensively on T2’s ability to reduce adiposity, enhance metabolic rate, and reverse hepatic steatosis without thyrotoxicity. Her work integrates molecular, cellular, and whole-animal physiology, with applications in obesity and metabolic syndrome. The most recent articles highlight her focus on mitochondrial adaptations in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, cold tolerance, insulin resistance, and inflammatory responses under high-fat diets. Her research consistently points to T2 as a potent, non-thyrotoxic modulator of energy metabolism. She has received scientific recognition including the Beckman Coulter Award in Proteomics (2006). She serves as an associate editor for Frontiers in Thyroid Endocrinology , Frontiers in Physiology , and Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry , and regularly reviews for top journals and national research projects. Maria Moreno has supervised approximately 100 doctoral theses and is actively involved in PhD programs in Life and Earth Sciences and Environmental and Health Sciences at the University of Sannio. She has also served on multiple national and international academic evaluation committees. She is a member of the Italian Society of Physiology and the European Thyroid Association, reflecting her active engagement in the scientific community.

• Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Thyroid Hormone Metabolism
• +7 more