Teresa Docimo

Teresa Docimo is a Researcher at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) within the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR-CNR), Research Division of Portici. Her work focuses on plant biochemistry and specialized metabolites, particularly their biosynthesis, regulation, and application in improving agricultural productivity. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Pathology of Drug’s Action from the University of Salerno (2008) and a degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the University of Naples Federico II (2003).

• Education:
  • PhD: University of Salerno, 2008
  • Bachelor’s: University of Naples Federico II, 2003
• Key Roles:
  • Researcher, CNR-IBBR (2018–present)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (2008–2011)

Research Focus: Docimo’s research emphasizes plant specialized metabolites, particularly phenylpropanoids, and their roles in environmental interactions and crop improvement. She explores how abiotic stresses (e.g., salinity, drought) and beneficial microbes modulate metabolic pathways. Her work also involves metabolic engineering in plants like cardoon and potato to enhance bio-based product yields.

Publications: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on cardoon biorefinery, licorice leaf valorization, and stress-responsive metabolite production. Her work bridges fundamental plant biology with applied biotechnology, targeting sustainable agriculture and industrial applications.

Grants & Collaborations: Involved in projects like the BOBCAT initiative, focusing on cardoon-based biorefinery systems. Collaborates with institutions worldwide, including Washington State University and the Max Planck Institute.

Labs & Teams: Leads projects in metabolic engineering and plant stress biology at CNR-IBBR, contributing to plant cell culture optimization and genetic modification strategies for enhanced metabolite production.