University Education and Training
1986: Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Bologna (Italy) cum Laude.
1987-1989: Post-Doc Fellow at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bologna (Italy)
1990-1991: Visiting Scientist at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology,
University of Perugia (Italy)
1992: Visiting scientist at the Mayo Clinic, Dept of Medicinal Chemistry, Jacksonville FL (USA)
Appointments and positions
2000- present: Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry SSD CHIM/08, University of Bologna (Italy)
2017: National Academic Qualification as Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
1990-2000: Researcher of Medicinal Chemistry SSD CHIM/08, University of Bologna (Italy)
Scientific activity
Author of 110 publications in international ranked journals, 3 book chapter, 1 patent (PCT).
Bibliometric parameters (reported from Scopus July 2024): H-index = 35; Citations ≈ 4000;
Research interest
The main line of research is aimed at identifying new biologically active small molecules, which can be both innovative anticancer lead candidates and useful chemical tools to study molecular pathways in cancer cells. Chemically, the focus is on synthetic strategies that take into account the principles of green chemistry. In recent years, a study has also been undertaken regarding the design and synthesis of multitarget small molecules that may be candidate leads for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and forgotten tropical diseases. Finally, attention has also turned to the design and development of RIBOTACs, molecules capable of degrading RNAs involved in disease processes.
Referee for several international medicinal chemistry journals (some examples are shown): Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ChemMedChem, Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry.
Peer reviewer for Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (MIUR) (IT).
Member of the Editorials Board of the journals “Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening” and “Biomolecules”.
2018-present: Faculty Member of PhD program in Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Bologna.
Since 2003, Supervisor of Doctoral Researchers of different PhD programs of the University of Bologna such as: Pharmaceutical Sciences; Chemistry; Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences at the University of Bologna.
Supervisor of a ESR student (01/01/2015-31/12/2018) in the framework of a EU-H2020-MSCA-ITN-2014 (ID: 642023). Project: Click Chemistry for future gene therapies to benefit citizens, researchers and industry.
Participation to National and International Funded Grants on a Competitive Basis
Associate investigator of several projects (the most recent are shown):
- PRIN project 2022 (Protocollo 20227S3BM7): A chemical biology approach towards a Synthetic Lethality-based Anticancer therapy through the use of RAD51/RAD52 inhibitors. Durata 24 mesi.
- PNNR project 2022 (CUP J33C22001140001): Spoke N.6 – RNA Drug Development. Durata 24 mesi.
FISR project 2019_03796 Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) to treat leishmaniasis;
AIRC project 2018 (id 21386): A chemical biology approach to synthetic lethality by means of DNA repair inhibitor;
PRIN 2012 project (code: 2012ZHN9YH): New anticancer agents at the interface between epigenetics and metabolism;
IIT-funded project 2010: An integrated approach to the simulation of ligand-target systems in membrane: predicting hERG liability of drug candidates, and beyond;
Leader of research programs funded by some italian SMEs (BIOFER SpA, Laboratori Baldacci SpA) regarding the design and implementation of new synthetic strategies, applicable in an industrial context, for the preparation of known active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) (2009, 2012).
