Lorena REBECCHI is a Full Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her research focuses on tardigrade biology, particularly their survival mechanisms under extreme conditions such as desiccation, temperature extremes, and radiation. She explores phylogenetic relationships, symbiotic microbiota, and evolutionary adaptations of these organisms. REBECCHI's work integrates morphological, molecular, and physiological approaches, contributing to understanding anhydrobiosis, stress responses, and tardigrade ecology. Key research areas include tardigrade phylogeny (e.g., resolving their position within Panarthropoda), environmental adaptations (e.g., thermal tolerance and acid resistance), and astrobiology applications (e.g., space flight experiments). She has described multiple new species and revised taxonomic classifications within Tardigrada. REBECCHI collaborates internationally, evidenced by conferences like the 2024 IADCI meeting hosted at her institution. Publications emphasize comparative transcriptomics, symbiont evolution, and the structural basis of tardigrade feeding mechanisms. Her lab's work on Antarctic tardigrades highlights climate change impacts and genetic diversity. REBECCHI's research has practical applications in biotechnology (e.g., space food systems) and environmental monitoring.
Damiano Piovesan is Associate Professor in Bioinformatics (SSD BIO/10) at the Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Padua , Italy. Since March 2022 he has held this rank, having previously served as Assistant Professor (2022) and PostDoc researcher (2019) in the same department. Education 2013 – PhD in Biotechnology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bologna 2009 – MSc in Bioinformatics, University of Bologna 2007 – BSc in Biotechnology, University of Bologna Research Focus Piovesan’s research integrates machine-learning approaches with structural bioinformatics to advance understanding of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and protein function prediction . He develops widely used resources such as MobiDB for disorder annotation, DisProt for functional curation of disordered regions, and RING for residue interaction networks. Additional interests include tandem repeat proteins , cancer-related IDP targets , and community benchmarking initiatives (CAFA, CAID, CAGI). Publication Trends His 2024–2025 output is dominated by updates to flagship databases ( InterPro , DisProt , MobiDB ), next-generation disorder predictors leveraging deep learning ( PredIDR , MobiDB-lite 4.0 ), and large-scale genomics challenges ( CAGI6 ). Across the decade, recurring themes include methodological advances in disorder prediction, creation of interoperable bioinformatics platforms, and rigorous benchmarking to ensure community-wide reliability. Scientific Awards No specific awards are listed in the provided materials. Advising & Grants No individual students or grant details are explicitly supplied; however, his leadership in multi-institutional consortia (e.g., InterPro, DisProt, CAFA) implies substantial supervisory and funding coordination roles. Labs & Teams Piovesan is affiliated with the BioComputingUP Lab ( https://biocomputingup.it/ ) at the University of Padua, a hub for computational biology and bioinformatics tool development.
Donato Romano serves as Associate Professor at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy, where he coordinates the Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab and co-founded the spin-off company HUBILIFE srl. His interdisciplinary work bridges robotics, biology, and AI to develop biohybrid systems for biodiversity preservation, sustainable environmental management, and life support in extreme scenarios including space exploration. With over 90 publications and an H-index of 27 (Scopus, March 2025), he has established significant academic leadership through editorial roles across 12+ international journals. Romano's educational foundation includes advanced degrees with honors: an M.Sc. in Agriculture Science and Technologies (2014) and a PhD in BioRobotics (2018), both from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. His academic journey includes visiting scholar positions at Khalifa University and substantial industry-academia collaboration through HUBILIFE srl, which commercializes bioinspired devices for human daily life improvement. His research program focuses on bioinspired and biomimetic robotics with particular emphasis on animal-robot interaction, biohybrid systems, and natural intelligence. Key projects address critical global challenges: SENSORBEES develops biohybrid environmental surveillance for ecological monitoring; REGOLIFE investigates lunar soil-terrestrial organism interactions for space agriculture; and OCEAN ROBOCTO explores marine ecosystem solutions. This work demonstrates a strategic progression from fundamental behavioral studies toward applied ecological and extraterrestrial systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in AI-driven behavioral analysis, with deep learning increasingly applied to entomological studies and pest management. The research spans agricultural applications (precision monitoring traps, larval detection systems), ecological conservation (biodiversity surveillance), and extreme-environment adaptation (lunar regolith studies). A distinctive feature is the consistent integration of biohybrid approaches where living organisms and robotic systems create synergistic capabilities exceeding either component alone. Romano's scientific recognition includes election as Junior Fellow of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (2025), the Lucani fuori dal Comune award (2024), and multiple best-thesis prizes. His editorial leadership spans high-impact journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics and Pest Management Science, where he serves as Associate Editor. As principal investigator, Romano coordinates major international projects totaling over €15M in funding: HORIZON-EIC's SENSORBEES (2024-2029), ASI's REGOLIFE (2024-2027), National Geographic's OCEAN ROBOCTO (2024-2026), and PRIN's COSMIC (2023-2025). His teaching portfolio includes PhD courses in Biosystems for Biorobotics and M.Sc. instruction in Bionics Engineering at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and University of Pisa. The Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab under Romano's direction pioneers biohybrid technologies where living organisms and robotic systems create integrated solutions. Current initiatives include SENSORBEES' environmental monitoring swarms, REGOLIFE's moonworm colonization systems, and HUBILIFE's commercial vector-control devices. The lab maintains active collaborations with space agencies, agricultural institutes, and conservation organizations, positioning biohybrid systems as next-generation tools for planetary-scale challenges.
Andrea Passerini is a Full Professor in the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Trento, Italy, where he also serves as Coordinator of the PhD programme in Information Engineering and Computer Science (Ministerial Decree 45/2013). His academic footprint spans multiple departments including Mathematics, Sociology, Cellular Biology, and Industrial Engineering, reflecting deep interdisciplinary engagement across computational sciences and life sciences. His research centers on Machine Learning and Data Mining with specialized expertise in Neuro-Symbolic AI , Probabilistic Reasoning , and Statistical Relational Learning . He pioneers methods for graph-based learning, medical AI applications, and explainable systems, with significant contributions to bioinformatics (particularly RNA-protein interactions) and healthcare diagnostics. His work bridges theoretical rigor with practical implementations in critical domains. Analysis of his 2025 publications reveals dominant trends in neuro-symbolic integration for graph data, human-AI collaboration in medical decision-making, and robust recommender systems. His research increasingly focuses on interpretable AI for high-stakes applications like surgical planning and physician support, while advancing foundational techniques in graph neural networks and concept-based modeling. As PhD programme Coordinator, Professor Passerini mentors doctoral candidates across AI and computer science disciplines. His collaborative network extends to medical researchers at CIBIO (Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology department) and industrial partners, though specific lab structures aren't documented in available materials. Current projects emphasize medical AI validation, temporal network modeling, and LLM integration with structured reasoning frameworks.
Professor Franca Zanardi is a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Parma, Italy. With a career spanning over two decades, she transitioned from University Researcher (1998-2002) to Associate Professor (2002-2019) before achieving her current role in 2019. Her research focuses on biomedical applications of peptidomimetics, asymmetric synthesis methodologies, and radiolabeled agents for disease diagnosis. Research Interests: Design and synthesis of integrin-targeting peptidomimetics for tumor therapy and diagnostics Development of asymmetric organocatalytic strategies for molecular diversity Creation of radiolabeled compounds for non-invasive diagnosis of neoplastic diseases Scientific Awards: Adolfo Quilico Medal (2024) Premio alla Ricerca Scientifica 'Chimica Organica per le scienze della vita' (2017) Three Excellence Citation Awards (2012, 2012, 2016) Two Hot Paper Recognitions (2015, 2020) Grants and Leadership: Principal Investigator for SARS-CoV-2 biomedical projects (2020-2022), PRIN2020 grant recipient (2022-2024), and participant in multiple international research collaborations. She leads the BioOrganicSynthesiS (BOSS) Group and serves on editorial advisory boards including ACS Central Science .
Prof.ssa Elda Favari is a Full-Time Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Italy . Her research focuses on atherosclerosis physiology , cholesterol metabolism , and cellular cholesterol efflux processes . She has collaborated with international institutions in the USA , Australia , and Switzerland . PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology (University of Parma, 2005) Academic Editor for the journal Medicine Member of Italian Society of Pharmacology , European Lipoprotein Club , and International Atherosclerosis Society Her scientific contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed publications , an H-index of 23 , and 16 Q1-journal publications from the last 15 years. Key research areas cover reverse cholesterol transport , PCSK9 mechanisms , and HDL functionality in diseases like familial hypercholesterolemia , cancer , and autoimmune disorders . Recent Google Scholar publications (2023-2025) examine: HDL modulation through nutraceuticals and 3D-printed devices Immune checkpoint inhibitors in relation to lipid profiles PCSK9-lomitapide interactions in genetic lipid disorders Anti-ApoA-1 IgGs as atherogenic factors 2000: AstraZeneca Grant at SISA Congress 2011: National Research Grant for Lupus Study She has held institutional roles including Student Orientation Delegate and serves on scientific committees for international congresses. Teaching spans Toxicology , Anticancer Chemotherapy , and Pharmacovigilance across Pharmacy , Food Safety , and Drug Sciences programs.
Prof. Chiara Dall'Asta is a Full Professor of Food Chemistry at the University of Parma's Department of Food Science. Since 2023, she serves as the Rector's Delegate for Doctoral Programs and has coordinated the PhD Course in Food Science since 2019. She acts as the Chancellor’s liaison to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and contributes to EFSA Working Groups, authoring multiple scientific opinions on mycotoxin risk assessment. Her research spans natural bioactive compounds, mycotoxins, metabolomics, and computational toxicology, with recent expansion into food fraud detection using non-targeted mass spectrometry. Key methodologies include HR-MS metabolomics, ion mobility MS, and computational models to study xenobiotic interactions. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and edited the book Masked Mycotoxins . Recent publications (2022-2025) highlight trends in mycotoxin analysis, food safety risk assessment, plant-based product safety, and computational toxicology. Work frequently integrates advanced analytical technologies (e.g., GC-IMS, LC-HRMS) with chemometrics for food authenticity and contamination studies. Teaching responsibilities include courses in Food Characterization, Risk Assessment of Chemical Compounds, and Xenobiotics in Food across undergraduate and graduate programs in Gastronomic Science, Food Safety, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Prof. Alessandro Bertucci is an Associate Professor at the University of Parma, Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences, specializing in Analytical Chemistry (CHIM/01). He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences through a dual Italian-French program at the University of Parma and the University of Strasbourg, receiving the "Best Scientific Thesis in France" award. Education: Master's in Chemistry (2011, University of Parma), Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences (2015, University of Parma/Strasbourg) Postdoctoral Experience: University of Rome Tor Vergata (2015-2016), Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Institute (2016), University of Melbourne (2016), UC San Diego (2017-2020) His research integrates molecular recognition with synthetic design for biomolecular systems programming , focusing on nanoscale diagnostics and precision medicine . Key methodologies include DNA nanotechnology, electrochemical biosensing, and responsive nanomaterials. Recent publications highlight CRISPR-based diagnostics and low-cost spectrophotometric platforms . His work has been recognized with the Galileo Galilei International Prize (2021) and ISSNAF Young Investigator Finalist (2018). Scientific Awards: Galileo Galilei Prize (2021), ISSNAF Finalist (2018) Fellowships: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship (2017), Endeavour Research Fellowship (2016), Umberto Veronesi Fellowship (2020) He teaches Bioanalytical Methods (Master's in Genomic, Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology) and Analytical Chemistry for Materials (Bachelor's in Materials Science), with extensive experience in course coordination and curriculum development.
Davide Menozzi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Food and Drug of the University of Parma, specializing in Agri-food Economics. He teaches courses such as Agri-Food Economics and Consumer Behavior across undergraduate and graduate programs in Food Science, Gastronomic Science, and Quality Procurement. His research focuses on sustainability of agri-food systems, consumer behavior regarding novel foods (e.g., edible insects, GMOs), and Mediterranean diet adherence. Education: Bachelor's in Economics (University of Parma, 1999) MSc in Sustainable Development of Agri-Environmental Systems (University of Bologna, 2001) PhD in Agri-food Economics (University of Parma, 2006) Research highlights include EU projects like ALTERNATIVA (alternative proteins), BALANCE (aquaculture sustainability), and STRENGTH2FOOD (sustainable procurement). He has also led national projects ONFOODS and AGRITECH under Italy’s National Recovery Plan. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the European Association of Agricultural Economists (EAAE) Fellow of the Italian Association of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AIEAA) He is Deputy Chairman for the Gastronomic Science and Quality Procurement degree programs and has served on committees for UNESCO’s Parma Creative City of Gastronomy. His lab focuses on consumer-driven innovations in sustainable food systems.
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.
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.
Francesco Neri is a Professor at the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS) at the University of Turin, Italy. His research focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying aging and cancer development, particularly in intestinal stem cells. He leads the Epigenetics of Aging & Cancer Lab located at the Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC) "Guido Tarone" in Turin and maintains collaborations with the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena, Germany. Professor Neri's research interests span several interconnected areas related to aging and disease: Epigenetic drift and DNA methylation changes during aging Intestinal stem cell biology and regeneration in aging Inflammaging (age-related chronic inflammation) Gut microbiome dysbiosis in elderly individuals Development of dietary interventions for healthy aging Colon cancer development and epigenetic mechanisms His research group employs cutting-edge technologies including single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid culture systems, and various genome-wide approaches (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Bisulfite-seq) to investigate the molecular mechanisms connecting aging with intestinal dysfunction and cancer. Recent work has revealed important connections between interferon gamma signaling, intestinal stem cell function, and tissue regeneration in aging. Professor Neri's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on aging, epigenetics, and intestinal biology, with numerous high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Communications, Cell Reports, and Nature Reviews. His work shows a clear trajectory from fundamental epigenetic mechanisms to translational applications in aging and cancer. His research has important implications for developing interventions to improve intestinal health in elderly individuals and potentially prevent age-related diseases including cancer.
Bianca Papotti is a fixed-term Researcher at the Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Parma. Her academic career spans interdisciplinary research in Pharmacology Cholesterol Metabolism Neurodegenerative Diseases Cardiovascular Pathology Immunometabolism . She teaches courses including Experimental Pharmacology and Food Toxicology. Her research focuses on the role of PCSK9 and cholesterol efflux in Alzheimer's Disease Atherosclerosis Rheumatoid Arthritis Lipoprotein Biology Inflammatory Disease Drug Development . Key trends in her publications (3 in 2025, 12 in 2024) reveal strong emphasis on PCSK9 inhibition mechanisms, cholesterol-immune crosstalk in rheumatoid arthritis, and fasting interventions in lipid-related pathologies. Her work has explored PCSK9's neuroinflammatory effects ABCA1/ABCG1 transporter dynamics Macrophage cholesterol loading Natural compound screening HDL dysfunction in diabetes Covid-19 lipid interactions .
Paola Lorenzon is an Associate Professor of Physiology at the University of Trieste 's Department of Life Sciences since 2002. She coordinates the International Master's Degree in Neuroscience , serves as Coordinator of the OPBA program , and holds key roles in multiple PhD cycles including Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (XXVIII to XXXVIII cycles) and Biology (SM50). Her research focuses on neuromuscular plasticity , aging effects, and microgravity adaptation mechanisms. Education : Bachelor's in Biological Sciences and PhD in Biochemistry from University of Trieste Research Experience : University of Milan, San Raffaele Milan, University of Ljubljana, University of Bonn Her research spans three main areas: neuromuscular junction plasticity , electrostimulation protocols for muscle regeneration, and Piezo1 ion channels in mechanotransduction. Current projects funded by the Italian Space Agency (MIAG, NEMUSY) investigate muscle atrophy in spaceflight and aging. Notable collaborations include working with Annalisa Bernareggi (electrophysiology), Marina Sciancalepore (electrostimulation), and Alessandra Bosutti (project coordination). Her lab employs primary satellite cell cultures , electrophysiology , and mechanotransduction studies to explore muscle regeneration mechanisms.
Marco Maggini is a Full Professor in the Department of Information Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Siena, a position he has held since joining the university in 1996. His academic career spans over 25 years with foundational expertise in computer engineering and artificial intelligence, focusing on theoretical and applied machine learning research. His educational background includes: Laurea degree (cum laude) in Electronics Engineering from the University of Florence (1991) Ph.D. in Computer Engineering and Control Systems from the University of Florence (1995) Prof. Maggini's research encompasses machine learning, neural networks, kernel machines, and the integration of symbolic and sub-symbolic knowledge systems. He extends these foundations into practical applications including web mining, search engine technology, pattern recognition, natural language processing, and computer vision. This interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical computer science with real-world implementation challenges across multiple domains. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a dominant focus on multilingual NLP applications, particularly educational puzzle generation for low-resource languages (Italian, Arabic, Persian, Turkish) using LLMs. His work demonstrates consistent innovation in named entity recognition, commonsense reasoning evaluation, and cross-lingual adaptation techniques. Secondary research threads include medical imaging segmentation, molecular property prediction, and AI security vulnerabilities, reflecting his broad technical mastery across computer vision, bioinformatics, and adversarial machine learning. No specific scientific awards were mentioned in the provided documentation, though his editorial roles indicate peer recognition within the academic community. While student mentoring details are absent from the source material, his position as Full Professor and leadership of SAILab imply active graduate supervision. His extensive publication record (120+ papers) and editorial service suggest significant research grant involvement, though specific funding sources remain undocumented. He directs the Siena Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAILab), which serves as an interdisciplinary hub for advancing machine learning theory and applications. The lab's current projects emphasize educational technology, multilingual NLP systems, and the integration of symbolic reasoning with neural architectures, maintaining strong industry and international academic collaborations.
