EDUCATION
2000-2005 Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Physiopathology of Aging - University of Bologna.
2004-2005 Master in Bioinformatics - University of Bologna:
1995-2000 Single cycle degree/Combined Bachelor and Master in Food Science and Technology, graduation mark 110/110 with honours (summa cum laude) - University of Bologna, Faculty of Agronomy.
1987-1992 Single cycle degree/Combined Bachelor and Master in Computer Science, graduation mark 108/110 - University of Bologna, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences
NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
2018 National scientific qualification to function as full professor
2000 National Qualification as “Food Technologist”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2021 – Today Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
2016 – 2021 Associate Professor of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
2012-2016 Research technician at the Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Italy
2005-2016 Research technician at the Department of Biochemistry and University of Bologna, Italy
2004-2005 Fellowship from the University of Bologna “Traditional Italian Foods in the prevention of cardiac injury” 2005-today Research technician at the University of Bologna
2003-2004 Fellowship from the “Consorzio Interuniversitario per la Ricerca Cardiovascolare” – University of Bologna “Phytonutrients effects of natural components of the common diet on ischemia/reperfusion injury”
2003 Fellowship from the Italian Biochemistry Society for graduated studies outside Italy (Centre For Age-Related Diseases – King’s College London)
2002 Fellowship at Department of Protection and Improvement of Agricultural Food Products (DIPROVAL) “Innovative strategies to improve safety and differentiation of diary products”.
2001 Fellowship at Department of Biochemistry “G. Moruzzi”, Nutrition Research Center – University of Bologna ”Importance of Selenium supplementation to counteract oxidative damage in cardiomyocyte cell cultures”
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
· Professor at the department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Professor at the department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Second cycle degree program in Huma Nutrition, Well-being and Health: Nutrition and supplementation in sport
· Professor at the department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Professor at the department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, (LMCU) in Pharmacy: Nutrition and supplementation in sport
· Professor at the department of Agricultural and Food Sciences - DISTAL, University of Bologna, First cycle degree program degree program in Sciences and Culture of Gastronomy: Biochemistry, Nutrition and Nutraceutics
· second cycle Degree Programme in Human nutrition, well-being and health
· Professor at the School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Single cycle degree program (LMCU) in Pharmacy: Molecular Biology, Food Science and Principles of Nutrition, General and Molecular Biochemistry, Biochemistry and Applied Biochemistry
· Professor at the Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China Single cycle degree program in Biotechnology: Molecular Biology
· Professor at the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Science, University of Bologna, Single cycle degree program (LMCU) in Pharmacy: Biochemistry,
· Professor at the School of Medicine, University of Bologna, Master in Nutrition and Health Education: Nutrition
· Professor at the School of pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Science, First cycle degree programmes (L) in Quality control of health products, University of Bologna: Nutritional Biochemistry
· Professor at the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Science - University of Bologna Master in Nutraceutics, Plant Therapy and Food Supplements: Biochemistry of nutrition and nutraceuticals
· Professor at the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Science, University of Bologna of Nutrition at the Master in Food Supplements And Nutraceuticals, Health, Safety And Marketing: Safety in Human Nutrition
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE RESPONSABILITIES
2001– Today Member of the Italian Society of Biochemistry (SIB), group “Nutrition and environment”
2017 – 2020 Member of “Assemblea delle rappresentanze” – University of Camerino
2019 – 2021 Member of the “Sustainability commission” – Univerisity of Camerino
2019 –2022 Member of the College of Professors of the PhD in "Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology" – University of Camerino.
2022 – today Member of the College of Professors of the PhD: "SPORT , HEALTH and WELL-BEING" – University of Bologna
2024 – Today Director of the Post-graduate learning program in “Nutrition and nutraceuticals for physical activity and sports” – University of Bologna
2024 – Today Director of the Master Course in Nutraceuticals, Nutritional Supplements, and Phytochemicals – University of Bologna
RESEARCH INTERESTS
The main focus of her research is the investigation of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the positive correlation between the consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetables and a decreased risk of chronic degenerative diseases and to develop novel dietary strategies to delay brain ageing, cognitive decline and cardiovascular diseases. In this context, his initial work provided considerable insights into the potential for nutraceuticals to counteract oxidative stress in in vitro model of cardiac reperfusion/injury by the enhancement of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. She then moved to neurodegeneration and investigated the role of nutraceuticals in counteracting glycation, oxidative stress and inflammation in cell culture of neurons and microglia. His recent interests concern how food bioactives modulate ageing and neurodegenerative disorders and their underlying mechanisms in D. melanogaster models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
AWARDS
"Food & Function" Poster Prize at the 1st International Conference on Food Bioactives and Health, Norwich (UK) 13-15/09/2016
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
Member of the editorial board of the journal
· Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi Publishing Corporation,
· Neurodegenerative Disorders, JSciMed Central
· International Journal of Molecular Scienes, MDPI
· Current Issues in Molecular Biology
· Oxygen,
· Nutrition & Aging, IOS Press dal 01-01-2012 al 31-12-2015
Guest Editor of the following special Issues:
· New Mechanisms of Action of Natural Antioxidants in Health and Disease Vol II: Antioxidants, MDPI 2020
· Natural Products and Neuroprotection Vol II: Antioxidants, MDPI 2020
· New Mechanisms of Action of Natural Antioxidants in Health and Disease: Antioxidants, MDPI 2019
· Natural Products and Neuroprotection: Antioxidants, MDPI 2019
· Dietary Polyphenols and Their Effects on Cell Biochemistry and Pathophysiology 2014 ": Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi Publishing Corporation
· Redox Signaling in Degenerative Diseases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Health Implications published in the journal BioMed Research International, Hindawi Publishing Corporation
· Dietary Polyphenols and Their Effects on Cell Biochemistry and Pathophysiology published in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi Publishing Corporation
· Annual Special issue "Dietary Polyphenols and Their Effects on Cell Biochemistry and Pathophysiology 2013", published in the journal Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi Publishing Corporation
GRANT SUPPORT (Last 15 years)
PRIN (Relevant National Interest Research Projects) 2022 PNRR: A precision medicine ecosystem for Alkaptonuria through clinical and experimental knowledge management and sharing system for an integrated approach 30/11/2023 – 29/11/2025 – Research Unit leader
PRIN (Relevant National Interest Research Projects) 2022: Tackling neurodegeneration with by-product-based-nanohydrogels for the nose-to-brain-delivery of natural bioactive compounds 28/09/2023 – 27/09/2025 –Partecipant
Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca (FAR) 2019: “Modulation of A2A adenosine receptors as a neuroprotective strategy in Parkinson’s Disease – MANTRA”, 12/05/2020 – 12/05/2022 – Research Unit leader
Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca – Year 2018: Silverskin and spent coffee: two by-products of the coffee production chain as promising source of nutraceuticals and ingredients for fertilizing products- University of Camerino – 24 months - Participant
Horizon 2020: TWINN-2015 Innovative Food Product Development Cycle: Frame for Stepping Up Research Excellence of FINS ( FOODstars) - A.A. 2014/2015-2017/2018 – Part of the team
FP7-KBBE-2012-6-singlestage: Beneficial effects of dietary bioactive peptides and polyphenols on cardiovascular health in human – 48 months- Participant
FIRB (Investment in basic research) 2011: Neurodegenerative diseases and brain damage: cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in humans and correlation to functional damage – 36 months– Participant
PRIN (Relevant National Interest Research Projects) 2005: Pharmacological and nutritional strategies for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases with isothiocyanates from cruciferous - 24 months - participant
ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES
· Organizer of the "2st International Conference on Neuroprotection by Drugs, Nutraceuticals and Physical Activity" Virtual Edition 9 to 10 December 2021.
· Organizer of the "1st International Conference on Neuroprotection by Drugs, Nutraceuticals and Physical Activity" Rimini (IT) 6 to 7 June 2019.
· Member of the Scientific Committee of the "1st International Conference on Food bioactives and Health" Norwich (UK) 13 to 15 September 2016)
· Member of the Organizing Committee of the 49th Congress of the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Riccione Italy, 28 September to 1 October 2004)
REVIEWER ACTIVITY:
· She has performed reviewer activity for a wide list of biochemical and biomedical Journals.
· Evaluator for "The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO)" for the award of a grant worth € 250,000.00 to projects presented in the "Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Veni" program. February 2016
· Expert for the evaluation of projects relating to funding applications for additional PhD scholarships issued under the National Operational Program for Research and Innovation 2014-2020, D.D. 4 May 2018, n. 1090.
RESEARCH PRODUCTIVITY (01.03.2024)
Author of 104 research papers. Invited speaker in 30 National and International Meetings
Sum of the Times Cited: 3720 (Scopus)
H index: 34 (Scopus)
