Alberto Credi

Alberto Credi is full professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Bologna and associate research director at the National Research Council of Italy.

Born in Bologna in 1970, he received the laurea in Chemistry cum laude from the University of Bologna in 1994, defending a thesis on the photophysical, photochemical and electrochemical properties of catenanes and their components. After a one-year fellowship by Ciba-Geigy S.p.A., he spent a research period at the University of Virginia (USA) within the NATO Supramolecular Chemistry special programme, working on circularly polarized luminescence of metal complexes. Back in Bologna, he started the graduate program in Chemical Sciences under the supervision of prof. Vincenzo Balzani and earned the PhD in 1999 with a dissertation entitled “Molecular-Level Machines and Logic Gates”. After a brief period as a research associate, in october 1999 he started as an assistant professor in general and inorganic chemistry at the Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, Faculty of Mat. Phys. and Nat. Sciences, of his Alma Mater. In 2005 he became associate professor in the same discipline at the Chemistry Department and was tenured in 2008. Since 2016 he is full professor of General and inorganic chemistry at the University of Bologna, first in the Department of Agricultural and Food Science and Technology, and, since october 2019, in the Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari". He is also Associate Research Director at the Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity of the National Research Council. In 2017 he founded the Center for Light Activated Nanostructures (CLAN), a joint research lab between Università di Bologna and National Research Council, of which he is the Scientific Director.

Education

High school diploma (industrial technique), I.T.I.S. "Belluzzi", Bologna, 1988
M.Sc. (laurea) in Chemistry, Università di Bologna, 1994
Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences, Università di Bologna, 1999

Teaching

He taught chemistry in courses of astronomy (2003-2016) and biotechnology (2008-2016) of the University of Bologna. Since 2016 he has been teaching chemistry for the course in agricultural technologies. Between 2000 and 2021 he has taught courses dealing with supramolecular chemistry, photochemistry and nanoscience at the Dipartimento di Chimica "G. Ciamician". He has been providing courses for the graduate schools of chemistry and of nano science of the University of Bologna.

Publications

He is the author or coauthor of more than 320 scientific articles, of one European patent and of more than 400 communications to scientific meetings in the field of spectroscopy, photochemistry and electrochemistry of molecular and supramolecular species, coordination compounds, and nanoparticles. h-index = 77. His papers currently receive more than 1,000 citations per year, with a total number of citations exceeding 32,000 (source: Google Scholar). The scientific profile and the complete list of publications are included in the CV available for download at the top of the page.

 He is the co-author of four monographs on molecular devices and machines (chinese and japanese editions available) and of a handbook of photochemistry:

• A. Credi, V. Balzani, Molecular machines, 1088press, Bologna, 2020
• A. Credi, V. Balzani, Le macchine molecolari, 1088press, Bologna, 2018
• V. Balzani, A. Credi, M. Venturi, Molecular devices and machines: concepts and perspectives for the nanoworld, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2008
• V. Balzani, A. Credi, M. Venturi, Molecular devices and machines: a journey into the nano world, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2003
• M. T. Gandolfi, A. Credi, M. Montalti, L. Prodi, Handbook of Photochemistry, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2006

On the teaching front, he is co-author of a chemistry textbook:

• A. Credi, A. Del Zotto, A. Gasparotto, F. Marchetti, D. Zuccaccia, Viaggio nella Chimica, EdiSES, Napoli, 2023

He is also editor of volumes on supramolecular electrochemistry, molecular motors and machines, and luminescent nanocrystal quantum dots, and he has been Guest Editor of journals such as Chemical Communications, Chemical Society Reviews, Advanced Functional Materials and Australian Journal of Chemistry.

Research projects

He took part in several research programs at the international, european, national, regional and local levels, with more than 5.5M€ in terms of funds raised. He had/has scientific lead/coordinating roles in the following projects:

• Molecular and supramolecular systems for information processing, MURST young researchers (2000)
• Surface treatment for photocatalysis devoted to air and water cleaning by means of different deposition technologies (local coordinator), PRIITT Mis. 1 Az. A (2004-2006)
• Light-powered molecular engines based on luminescent rotaxanes, MAE high relevance projects, Italy-China protocol (2006-2008)
• PROMINER: Project for micro- and nano-technologies in Emilia Romagna (local coordinator), PRIITT Mis. 4 Az. A (2008-2010)
• Chemically modified luminescent semiconductor quantum dots, ICS-UNIDO, Fellowship programme in Nanotechnologies (2008-2009)
• Design, synthesis and study of semiconductor nanoparticles with modified surface for luminescence applications, Université Franco-Italienne, "Galilée" Program for mobility of researchers (2009)
• Self-assembling luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals for analyical and materials science applications, MAE high relevance projects, Italy-South Korea protocol (2010-2012)
• HYSENS-Hybrid molecule/nanocrystal assemblies for photonic and electronic sensing applications, EU-FP7 NMP (2011-2013)
• Molecular systems and photoresponsive materials for applications in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and oncology, Consorzio Spinner, PhD Programme (2012-2014)
• InfoChem-Integrated supramolecular technologies for chemical information processing: advanced molecular devices and materials, MIUR PRIN2010 (deputy coordinator, 2013-2015)
• Development of functionalized quantum dots for photoinduced applications in nanomedicine, Université Franco-Italienne, "Vinci" Programme for co-tutelled docorate (coordinator, 2014-2016)
• SLAMM-Spin Labelled Molecular Machines, Progetti FARB Università di Bologna (coordinator, 2014-2015)
• LEAPS-Light effected autonomous molecular pumping systems, H2020 ERC Advanced Grant (principal investigator, 2016-2022)
• AMPLI-Amplification of nanometer movements at larger scales: towards molecule-based artificial muscles, MIUR FARE (principal investigator, 2017-2022)
• MAGNIFY-From nano to macro: a groundbreakIng actuation technology for robotic systems, H2020 FETOPEN (2018-2022)
• NEMO-Next generation of molecular machines, MIUR PRIN2017 (coordinator, 2019-2022)
• ArtMoMa-Artificial molecular machines, H2020 ITN (2020-2023)
• Transmembrane molecular pumps, RSE Saltire International Collaboration Awards (partner, 2022-2024)
• COSMO-Controlled shuttling inside molecular tubes, MUR PRIN2022 (coordinator, 2023-2025)
• MonaLisa-MOtorized NAnomachines: fundamentaLs, InnovationS, Applications, Horizon Europe MSCA DN (2024-2028)
  

Awards

• Luigi Ungarelli award, University of Bologna (best student of the Faculty of Sciences 1990-93)
• Fabio Busi award, University of Bologna (1994)
• Myriam Borsari award, University of Bologna (1994)
• Award for the best PhD dissertation in Inorganic Chemistry, Italian Chemical Society (1999)
• IUPAC Prize for Young Chemists (2000)
• Vincenzo Caglioti award, Ministery for Cultural Activities (2002)
• Grammaticakis-Neumann international prize for photochemistry, Swiss Chemical Society (2007)
• Raffaello Nasini award, Inorganic Chemistry division, Italian Chemical Society (2008)
• Finalist, European Research Council, Starting Grant (2011)
• European Research Council, Advanced Grant (2016)
• Enrico Santoro award, Accademia dei Lincei (2016)
• Bologna-Brown Lectureship, Brown University (2018)
• Riccardo Ferro Lectureship, Università di Genova (2019)
• The Netherlands Scholar Award for Supramolecular Chemistry (2021)
• French-Italian Prize, Société Chimique de France (2021)
• Holger Erdtman Lecture, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden (2022)
• Lamberto Malatesta prize, Inorganic Chemistry division, Italian Chemical Society (2023)

Organisation of conferences

He has been member of the scientific and/or organising committee of >40 conferences, including: International Conference on Coordination Compounds, 2022 (session organiser), 2018; EuCheMS Congress, 2018 (convenor), 2012 (convenor); 3rd Telluride Conference on Molecular Rotors, Motors and Switches, 2018 (chair); 8th International Symposium on Photochromism, 2016; Congresso Nazionale di Chimica Inorganica, 2018 (chair), 2016, 2015; Faraday Discussion on Supramolecular Photochemistry, 2015; Italian Photochemistry Meeting, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2008; 4th International Conference on Molecular Sensors and Molecular Logic Gates, Shanghai, 2014; International Conference on Molecular Electronics-ELECMOL, France, 2022, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006; XXIV IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry, Coimbra, 2012.

Participation to seminars and conferences

He attended more than 150 national and international meetings, >100 of which as an invited speaker, including:

• Scientia Europæa n.2, La Baule, France (1997)
• Gordon Research Conference "Organic Structures and Properties", Hyogo, Japan (2002)
• Conference "Foundations of Nanoscience: Self-assembled Architectures and Devices", Snowbird, USA (2004)
• XX IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry, Granada, Spain (+ session chair) (2004)
• CERC3 Young Chemists Workshop “Functional Molecular Nanostructures”, Baden Baden, Germany (plenary talk + session chair) (2005)
• 8th FIGIPAS Meeting in Inorganic Chemistry, Athens, Greece (2005)
• XXII International Conference on Photochemistry, Cairns, Australia (+ session chair) (2005)
• Conference on Molecular Electronics "ELECMOL' 05", Grenoble, France (2005)
• Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society, San Francisco, USA (2006)
• NanoTech Insight '07, Luxor, Egypt (plenary talk + session chair) (2007)
• International Conference on Molecular Machines and Switches, Shanghai, China (+ session chair) (2007)
• The Young(-ish) Giants of Chemistry, Edinburgh, Scotland (2007)
• Fall Meeting, Swiss Chemical Society, Lausanne, Switzerland (2007)
• The 21st Solvay Conference in Chemistry, Bruxelles, Belgium (2007)
• XXIII Congresso Nazionale della Società Chimica Italiana, Sorrento, Italy (2009)
• 42nd IUPAC Congress, Glasgow, Scotland (2009)
• International Conference on Molecular Sensors and Molecular Logic Gates, Antalya, Turkey (+ session chair) (2010)
• International workshop "Molecular logic", Leiden, The Netherlands (plenary talk) (2011)
• Convegno Nazionale di Fotochimica, Giardini Naxos, Italy (plenary talk) (2011)
• 6th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry, Brighton, UK (2011)
• X Congresso Nazionale di Chimica Supramolecolare, Perugia, Italy (keynote lecture) (2011)
• 3rd International Conference on Molecular Sensors and Molecular Logic Gates, Seoul, South Korea (2012)
• ISACS 10, Challenges in Supramolecular Chemistry and Organic Materials, Kyoto, Japan (plenary talk) (2013)
• 64th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Electrochemistry, Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico (2013)
• XXV IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry, Bordeaux, France (2014)
• Beilstein Nanotechnology Symposium “Molecular Machines and Devices”, Potsdam, Germany (plenary lecture) (2014)
• 4th International Conference on Molecular Sensors and Molecular Logic Gates, Shanghai, China (2014)
• 1st Gordon Research Conference on Artificial Molecular Switches and Motors, Easton, USA (2015)
• 21st International Symposium on Photochemistry and Photophysics of Coordination Compounds, Krakow, Poland (plenary lecture) (2015)
• 16th Austrian Chemistry Days – Joint meeting of the Italian and Austrian Chemical Societies, Innsbruck, Austria (plenary lecture) (2015)
• 11th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry, Seoul, Korea (2016)
• 5th International Conference on Molecular Sensors and Molecular Logic Gates, Bath, UK (2016)
• 8th International Symposium on Photochromism, Shanghai, China (2016)
  
• International Symposium “Chemistry Beyond the Mechanical Bond”, Cambridge, UK (2017)
•  XI International School on Organometallic Chemistry, San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy (2017)
•  The Molecular Machines Nobel Prize Conference, Groningen, The Netherlands (keynote) (2017)
•  XXVIII International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry, Firenze, Italy (keynote) (2018)
• International Symposium on Advanced Molecular Sciences, Shanghai, China (2018)
• 14th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry, Lecce, Italy (keynote) (2019)
• Central European Conference on Photochemistry, Bad Hofgastein, Austria (conferenza plenaria) (2020)
• Telluride Science Summer Lecture Series, online meeting (2020)
• Symposium "Future directions in Chemistry: from Biology to Advanced Materials", IST Austria, Vienna (2021)
• Kroese-Duijsters Symposium “Molecular Receptors and Machines in Lipid Bilayer Membranes”, Leiden, The Netherlands (2022)
• EuChemS Chemistry Congress 2022, Lisbon, Portugal (2022)
• 5^th ERC Grantees Conference “From Dynamic and Active Materials to Supramolecular Catalysis”, Edinburgh, UK (2023)
• XXVIII National Meeting of Portuguese Chemical Society, Aveiro, Portugal (plenary lecture) (2023)
• 49th National Meeting on Inorganic Chemistry, Perugia, Italy (plenary lecture) (2023)
• Molecular Rotor Workshop 2023, Prague, Czech Republic (2023)
• 18th International Symposium on Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry, Hangzhou, China (2024)

He delivered seminars in more than 70 universities, research centers and companies, as well as several conferences for the dissemination and popularization of chemistry in schools and science festivals, including talks at the "Festival della Scienza", Genova (2011), and "FestivalScienza", Cagliari (2019). 

Academic and scientific appointments

He is fellow of scientific societies, also with executive duties, and I received several appointments in academic committees and boards. He is member of the board of the Ph.D. course in Nanoscience for Health and Environment of the University of Bologna. He has been supervisor or co-supervisor of >30 BSc/MSc students, >15 PhD students, and 20 post-doctoral fellows. His laboratory hosted >20 visiting professors, fellows and students from abroad. He regularly plays the role of referee for main international journals (including Nature, Science, PNAS, Chem, Nature Chem., Nature Nanotechnol., Nature Mater., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Chem. Commun., Chem. Eur. J., Nano Lett.) and of evaluator of research projects (ERC, ESF, DOE, ANR, NWO, SFI, FNRS). He has been Associate Editor of the Australian Journal of Chemistry and he is currently Advisory Board member of the journals ChemistryOpen, ChemPhotoChem and Australian Journal of Chemistry.

• Member of the administration board of the Fondation de la Maison de la Chimie in Paris (since 2014)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (since 2016)
• Member of the European Academy of Sciences (since 2017)
• President of the Italian Group of Photochemistry (2015-2017 and 2018-2020)
• Board member of the Inorganic Chemistry division of the Italian Chemical Society (2015-2017 and 2018-2020, treasurer office in 2015-2016)
• Member of the International Relations Committee of the Italian Chemical Society (2017-2019)
• Chairman of the scientific committee of the Chemistry central library of the University of Bologna (2020-2021)
  
• Member of the Executive Committee of the European Photochemistry Association (2018-2023)

Institutional appointments

• Vice Rector for Research, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (2021-)
• Chair of the Committee for Research Evaluation (VRA), Università di Bologna (2022-)
• Member of the Board, Representación en la República Argentina dell'Università di Bologna (2021-)
• Vice-President, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (2021-)
• Member of the Board, Fondazione Heal Italia, Palermo (2022-)
• Member of the Steering Committee, Centro di Ricerca “Ambiente, energia e mare”, Marina di Ravenna (2022-)
• Member of the Supervisory Board, Fraunhofer Innovation Platform FIP@UNIBO (2022-)
• Member of the Board, Consorzio per il Centro Interuniversitario di Biologia Marina ed Ecologia Applicata “G. Bacci”, Livorno (2022-)
• Member of the Technical and Scientific Committee, ART-ER Soc. cons. p.a. (2022-)
• Member (alternate) of the Monitoring Committee, FSE+ Program 2021-2027 Emilia Romagna region (2022-)
• Member of the Executive Board, Italian Computing and Data Infrastructure (ICDI) (2022-2023)
• Member, Osservatorio sulla Chimica della Provincia di Ravenna (2022-)
• Member of the Assembly, Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, Cesenatico (2022-)
• Member of the Board, European Bioeconomy University (2022-)
• Member of the Assembly, ART-ER Soc. cons. p.a. (2021-)
• Member (alternate) of the Technical and Scientific Committee, ART-ER Soc. cons. p.a. (2021-2022)
• Member of the Steering Committee, Fondazione Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC), Lecce (2021-)
• Member of the Research Strategy Group, UNA Europa (2021-)