PhD student in Heritage Science enrolled in Sapienza University of Rome starting from 2022, she is carrying out her research activities in collaboration with Alma Mater Studorum - Bologna University, at the Microchemistry and Microscopy Art Diagnostic Laboratory (M2ADL), Ravenna Campus.
Her main research topic concerns the development of technologies for the diagnostics, monitoring, and study of Cultural Heritage, with particular emphasis on advanced analytical methods for the study and biomolecular characterization of modern and ancient human teeth. Currently, her research is focused on amelogenins, a family of structural proteins of dental enamel, which are particularly significant for sex determination in archaeological and forensic contexts.
Thanks to the collaborations started and solidified during her PhD, she develops highly innovative, biocompatible, and cost-effective biomimetic receptors based on Molecularly Imprinted BioPolymers (MIBPs). These sensors are capable of recognizing the presence of amelogenins both in commercial protein solutions and in protein extracts obtained from real samples. The use of these biosensors has been integrated with optical detection techniques, such as Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI).
Additionally, she has acquired experience in the analysis of burned human teeth from archaeological contexts, with the aim of acquiring compositional characterization of dental tissues and determining combustion temperature ranges. The methodological approach for these unique samples involved non-invasive and micro-destructive techniques, combined with advanced data processing and multivariate data analysis.
Through collaboration with international institutions, she conducts analyses on protein residues present in mature enamel using tandem mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS) and imaging through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MSI).
Education
BSc in Diagnostic and Materials for the Conservation and the Restoration achieved in 2020, at the University of Florence. MSc in "Science for the Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Heritage" achieved in 2022, at the University of Bologna, Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician".
Research activities for the redaction of the MSc thesis focused on the exploration of Avar mandibular variability from Hungarian archaeologiacal contexts by means of geometric morphometrics. Acquisition of knowledge and expertise in the field of virtual anthropology and practical application of softwares for the segmentation (Avizo), 3D modelling (GeoMagic Design X), geometric morphometrics (dHal software ViewBox 4) and multivariate analysis.
In the framework of her PhD studies, in September 2023 she started a research period in collaboration with the INSTM (Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, Florence, Italy), where she focused her activities on the development of a biomimetic sensor based on MIBPs coupled with optical (SPR) and colorimetric (BELISA, LFA) biosensing capable of detecting the presence of amelogenins and further discriminate the two sex forms X/Y in human dental enamel.
