Lucia Maini is Full Professor of chemistry at the “Giacomo Ciamician” Department of Chemistry of the University of Bologna.
She graduated in Chemistry at the University of Bologna 1997 followed by a PhD in Chemistry in 2001 (University of Bologna). Having joined the University of Bologna with a post-doc position, she progressed as Research Assistant in 2006 and Associate Professor in 2014, culminating in her appointment as a Full Professor in November 2023.
Her research spans diverse areas within Crystal Engineering, with a focus on polymorphs, co-crystals, coordination polymers and organic material and mechanochemistry. She has a strong background in solid state characterization, structure solution from single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. Professor Maini has successfully collaborated with pharmaceutical industries and international research groups. Professor Maini has an H-index of 39, with over 129 articles and scientific contributions. Her research has been recognized and honoured, including receiving the 2012 Nardelli Prize from the Associazione Italiana Cristallografia.
Recently has been involved in project regarding History of chemistry by the replication of ancient recipes which was published as research paper “Exploring the ancient chemistry of mercury” on PNAS was awarded by the Cozzarelli prize in 2022.
She has been actively involved in teaching, offering courses in General Chemistry, General Chemistry Laboratory, Coordination Chemistry, and crystallographic competencies during the years. Notably, she initiated the innovative course "Chemistry Meets the City" and contributed to the design of the Laurea Professionalizzante program "Chemical Methodologies for Products and Processes.”
Beyond academia, Professor Maini has been actively engaged in public engagement, and organizing educational events for schools and the general public with the group “Conoscere la Chimica” (Dept. Chemistry “G. Ciamician” University of Bologna)
Her dedication to the scientific community is further evident through her involvement in the Italian Crystallographic Association and her directorship of the 55th International School of Crystallography in 2021, 50° AIC congress 2023, and convention CF@BO (all the editions), vice-chair of the cost Action MechSustInd 18112.
