From 2021 Jessica Fiori is Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Bologna. Her current research activity is devoted to mass spectrometric strategies for the identification and characterization of metabolites, macromolecules, bioactive molecules and natural compounds in different matrices. Recently she focused her interest on metabolomics studies, by using targeted and semi-untargeted approaches, in particular on gut microbiota metabolites, which provide a relevant contribution to the host’s nutritional, immunological and physiological status. Moreover, in the proteomics field, she studies peptides and proteins involved in envinronmental pollution or pathological events. She is author and co-author of many scientific articles published on peer reviewed international journals.
Education
Master Degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical
Technology in 1998 from the University of Bologna, PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2003, from the same University
for studies regarding the photochemical properties of drugs.
Academic career
After several years of post-doc fellowship, since 2021 she works as Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician,
University of Bologna. In 2015 she obtained the National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor in Medicinal Chemistry. In 2018 she obtained the National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry. In 2000 she spent a research period at
GlaxoSmithKline (Ware, United Kingdom), carrying out a research
project aimed at the development of analytical methodology for
photostability studies on drugs; in 2005 she collaborated with the
Prof. A. P. Bruins group at the Mass Spectrometry Core Facility,
University of Groningen (The Netherland), working on the
optimization of conditions for effective electrochemical cleavage
of peptides and proteins.
Scientific activities
Her work at the Department of Chemistry has been mainly focused on the development of new
analytical methods for the characterization and dosage of metabolites, macromolecules, bioactive molecules and natural compounds. The methodologies involved in these studies
are spectroscopic techniques such as UV and mass spectrometry (MS),
separation techniques, like liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas
chromatography (GC), and combined techniques, i.e. LC-MS, GC-MS,
MALDI-MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization – MS). The
research interests and applications are: (i) microbiology, determination of gut microbiota metabolites by targeted and semi-untargeted approaches, which provide a relevant contribution to the host's nutritional, immunological and physiological status; (ii) proteins and peptides (proteins mutation, acetilation and isoforms, protein-protein interactions, biomarkers) involved in envinronmental pollution or pathological events such as Alzheimer’s disease and leukemia; (iii) medicinal chemistry (characterization, determination, dosage of drugs, natural compounds and bioactive molecules in complex matrices).She has established national and international scientific
collaborations. Dr. Fiori is the author of 71 papers on
international journals, one book chapter, and several oral communications at
international congresses.
Teaching activities
From 2020 to today: Lecturer of the Analitical Chemistry Internationl Course (Module 2), Single-cycle Master's Degree Course in Pharmacy, University of Bologna, Rimini Campus.
From 2019 to today: Lecturer in the course of Clinical and Forensic Analytical Chemistry (Module 2), Master's Degree Course in Chemistry, School of Sciences, University of Bologna.
From 2018 to today: Lecturer of the course of Cosmetic Ingredients Analysis and Quality Assurance (Module 1), Master's Degree International Course in Advanced Cosmetic Science (ACS), School of Sciences, University of Bologna, Rimini Campus.
From 2009 to 2016: Lecturer in the course of Pharmaceutical Analysis II then Analysis of Health Products II, Degree Course in Quality Control of Health Products (CQPS), School of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Rimini Campus.
International and national research projects, selected for funding based on calls that involved competitive peer-reviewed
2017. Antibiotic prophylaxis in infants with congenital abnormalities of kidney and urinary tract: the impact of the developmental trajectory of gut microbiome assembly, metabolic programming and the gut resistome profile. Progetto finanziato dalla ricerca finalizzata, Ministero della Salute (Project code RF-2016-02363563), WP leader of the Università of Bologna.
2016. Plant food in human evolution: Factors affecting the harvest of nutrients from the floral environment (HARVEST), ERC Starting Grant 2015, Collaborator.
2015-2018. Innovative Food Product Development Cycle: Frame for Stepping Up Research Excellence of FINS – FOODstars. H2020-TWINN-2015 (H2020-EU.4.b. - Twinning of research institutions, project ID: 692276), Collaborator.
2015. Composition of Gut Microbiota and impact on immune system recovery and acute graft versus host disease in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation”. Finanziato dalla ricerca finalizzata, Ministero della Salute (Project code GR-2013-02357136), Collaborator.
2017. Scientific Research Project of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) 2017 entitled "Cutting Edge Analytical Chemistry Methodologies and Bio-Tools to Boost Precision Medicine in Hormone-Related DIseases". Partner.
2007-2013. Bio-Inspired Self-assembled Nano-Eanabled Surfaces (BISNES), FP7 SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME THEME 4 NMP - Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies (H2020, Grant No. 214538), Collaborator.
2007. Scientific Research Project of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) 2007 entitled "Advanced analytical methodologies for the safe and effective use of drugs". Partner.
2004. Scientific Research Project of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) 2004 entitled "Advanced analytical methodologies in drug research and development". Partner.
2002. Scientific Research Project of Relevant National Interest (PRIN) 2002 entitled "Advanced analytical methodologies for the development and safe and effective use of drugs". Partner.
Referee for international scientific journals
Referee for the following international scientific journals: Analytica Chimica Acta, Chromatographia, Journal of Chromatography A, Journal of Chromatography B, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Analytical Letters.
