Laura Mercolini is Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna. She is qualified for Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.
She is the Head of the research group of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis (PTA Lab), Mercolini’s group.
She is Director of the second level professional Master's programme of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna in Forensic Chemical and Chemical-Toxicological Analyses (MASTFORCHERM).
EDUCATION
1998: High school diploma (classical studies with modern languages) at Liceo Classico Sperimentale Terenzio Mamiani, Pesaro.
2005: Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2010: Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
RESEARCH TOPICS
1. Since 2004, an important line of research deals with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of patients treated with all types of drugs. TDM is designed to detect correlations between drug dosages and their levels in biological fluids, studying therapeutic effects, side effects and toxicity.
2. Since 2004, a special focus is on the study of psychiatric patients and their treatments, in the perspective of a precision medicine, personalised therapies and patient-centric approaches.
3. Since 2004, drug pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are investigated, together with stability assays, on biosamples (fluids, tissues, organs) and within clinical studies.
4. Since 2005, the research on illicit drugs is aimed at the development of analytical methods for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of classical compounds (cannabinoids, cocaine, opiates/opioids, amphetamines) and new psychoactive substances (NPS). Hormones, endogenous neurotransmitters (for example catecholamines), biomarkers together with their metabolites, are also investigated to search for specific risk factors and correlations in pathologies or addiction cases.
5. Since 2006, active ingredients from natural extracts, food and beverages and related commercial products are studied by developing extraction and separation approaches to investigate their contents, possible presence of substances banned in sports and quality control purposes in general.
6. Since 2010, innovative and alternative analytical strategies are developed for sport drug testing, proposing advanced and miniaturised procedures of sampling, treatment and processing of biological microsamples (i.e. DBS), focusing on identification and quantitation of substances used for doping purposes.
The analytical techniques used for these research lines are: mass spectrometry (MS, MS/MS and HRMS) also coupled to liquid chromatography (UHPL, HPLC), spectrophotometric detection (UV-Vis and DAD/PDA), spectrofluorimetric detection (natively or after derivatisation), electrochemical detection (amperometric and coulometric), capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to DAD, and ATR-FTIR. All the analytical methods are originally designed and optimized in order to set up, validate and apply novel cutting-edge methodologies.
Great attention is also paid to the development and validation of miniaturised collection procedures and pretreatment strategies for both biological specimens (in vitro samples, animal and human fluids and tissues) and non-biological samples (i.e. seized materials, formulations, supplements). Microsampling is the field where Assoc. Prof. Laura Mercolini is recognised as one of the pioneer scientists in the international community, having started to significantly widespread microsampling classical procedures (such as dried blood spot, DBS) in the first 2000s, and still developing and applying innovative microsampling techniques, such as volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS), microfluidic DBS-based devices, volumetric capillary microsampling, in order to promote all-in-one devices, point-of-care testing and patient-centric strategies.
SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION (Scopus - from 2004 to June 14th, 2024)
Laura Mercolini's scientific production is embodied in:
- 141 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals
- 7 book chapters
- 1 national patent (Italian patent)
- 62 communications (opening lectures, plenary lectures, keynote lectures and oral communications) to national and international scientific conferences and workshops
- 260 co-authorship in poster presentations and colleagues’ communications to national and international scientific conferences and workshops.
BIBLIOMETRIC PARAMETERS (Scopus, June 14th, 2024)
Years of scientific production: 21 (2004-2024)
N. of publications: 141
N. of citations: 3666
H-index: 38.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
April – May 2005: Graduated attendee at Laboratory of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis for research purposes.
June – December 2005: Grant holder at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences for a study on "Development of analytical methods for the quantitation of catecholamines, analogues and metabolites", funded by the Ministry of Health, Presidency of the Council of Ministers, National Department of Antidrug Policies.
January – October 2006: Grant holder at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and at the Ottonello Institute - Psychiatric Services for Diagnosis and Care, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, for a study on "Mortality and morbidity control in psychiatric patients: importance of TDM as a rational approach” funded by Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
January 2007 – December 2009: Ph.D. student in Pharmaceutical Sciences (XXII Cycle) at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
November 2008 – January 2009: Marco Polo grant for Visiting Ph.D. students at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Long Beach (CA, USA), collaborating with the Mental Health Group (Prof. Lawrence J. Albers, MD) and the Research and Development Group (Prof. Christopher Reist, MD, MBA) in the field of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics in schizophrenia therapy.
September 2009 – December 2009: Visiting Ph.D. student at the University of Geneva (Switzerland), collaborating with the Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Group (Prof. Gérard Hopfgartner) for the development of innovative mass spectrometry analytical methods in the identification and quantification of drugs and substances of abuse.
April 2010: Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
July 2010 – August 2010: Visiting Ph.D. student at the University of Geneva (Switzerland), collaborating with the Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Group (Prof. Gérard Hopfgartner) for the development of innovative sampling techniques for biological fluids and tissues.
March 2010 – March 2011: Post-doc grant holder at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences for a study on "Development of innovative analytical methods for the determination of cannabinoids, neurotransmitters and their metabolites in biological tissues", funded by the Department of Antidrug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
June 2011 – June 2012: Post-doc grant holder at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences for a study on "Development of innovative analytical methods for the determination of drugs of abuse, with focus on cannabinoids and their metabolites in biological tissues", funded by the Department of Antidrug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
July 2011: Scientific consultant at the Novartis Centre de Recherche Santé Animale, Saint-Aubin, Switzerland, for the development of innovative methods for the use of Dried Blood Spots (DBS) in veterinary medicine.
September 2012 – August 2015: Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
September 2012 – present: Researcher at the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research-Advanced Applications in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (CIRI-MAM), Operative Unit of Materials Chemistry and Toxicology, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Rimini Campus.
November 2013 – present: Head of the research group of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis (PTA Lab), Mercolini’s Group, at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
September 2015 – 2018: Confirmed Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
March 2017 - Qualified for Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.
Since March 2019 – present: Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
November 2019: Scientific consultant at Krka d.d., Novo mesto, Ljubljana, Slovenia, for the implementation of Volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) for pharmacokinetics and preclinical research.
Year 2020: Member of the Italian Group COVID MS Coalition.
Since 2020 – present: Qualified for Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry.
Since 2020 – present: Qualified as a Commissioner of Medicinal Chemistry.
Since 2023 – present: Scientific advisor (section of Chemical Contaminants) of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna for EFSA (European Food Safety Authority).
Since 2024 – present: Chair of the Dried Blood Spot Technical Working Group (DBS WG) of the World Antidoping Agency (WADA).
PARTICIPATION TO PEER-REVIEWED FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
2005: Grant holder, project "Development of analytical methods for the determination of catecholamines, analogues and metabolites". Funding: Presidency of the Council of Ministers, National Department for Antidrug Policies.
2006: Grant holder, project "Reduction of mortality and morbidity in psychiatric patients: the importance of clinical and therapeutic monitoring". Funding: "P. Ottonello" Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, with Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna funds.
2006: Member, project "Metabolic changes related to behavioural disorders and psychotropic substance consumption". Funding: Presidency of the Council of Ministers, National Department for Antidrug Policies.
2007: Ph.D. student, project "Toxicity of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs: using therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) to reduce toxic and side effects in psychiatric patients". Funding: Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
2008-2010: Member, project "Heterocycles with targeted biological activity from highly functionalised precursors: synthesis and in vitro - in vivo preclinical evaluation". Funding: Ministry for Education, University and Research (MIUR) with PRIN (Scientific Projects with High National Impact) funds.
2009: Ph.D. student, project "Toxicity of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs: using therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) to reduce toxic and side effects in psychiatric patients". Funding: Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
2010: Post-doc fellow, project "VulCan – Evaluation of the vulnerability to the use of Cannabis and to addiction onset: neuro-endocrine correlations and quali-quantitative approaches". Funding: Presidency of the Council of Ministers, National Department for Antidrug Policies.
2011: Member, project "Novel approaches in psychiatric patient care – therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for therapy optimisation and toxic effect reduction". Funding: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Imola.
2011: Post-doc fellow, project "VulCan2 – Evaluation of the vulnerability to the use of Cannabis and to addiction onset: neuro-endocrine correlations and quali-quantitative approaches". Funding: Presidency of the Council of Ministers, National Department for Antidrug Policies.
2011: Member, project "Psychoactive compound monitoring for road traffic injury prevention". Funding: Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
2012: Member, project "VulCan3 – Evaluation of the vulnerability to the use of Cannabis and to addiction onset: neuro-endocrine correlations and quali-quantitative approaches". Funding: Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Department for Antidrug Policies.
2012: Member, project "Addiction prevention: development of novel analytical methods for the monitoring of Cannabisand other drug consumption". Funding: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Imola.
2012: Member, project "Monitoring of formaldehyde levels in indoor air at the lecture hall, Vespignani Palace". Funding: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Imola.
2012: Member, project "Innovative analytical methods for the monitoring of «club drugs»". Funding: Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
2013: Member, project "Traditional medicine plants as sources of compounds with antimicrobial and antiviral activity". Funding: University of Bologna, FARB (University Funds for Basic Research) funds – line 1 feasibility studies (ref. FFBO123113).
2013: Member, project "Mental disorders and drug addiction in correctional facilities: the therapeutic drug monitoring challenge". Funding: Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
2014: Principal Investigator, project "VulCan4 – Evaluation of the vulnerability to the use of Cannabis and to addiction onset: neuro-endocrine correlations and quali-quantitative approaches". Funding: Department for Antidrug Policies, Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
2014-2019: Principal Investigator of the Operative Unit 2, project "Alcohol intake and abuse in workplaces: development of an integrated protocol based on screening questionnaire and new methods for biological sampling and analysis. Application in healthcare workers according to Italian legislation". Funding: Italian Ministry of Health, "Targeted Research and Young Researchers" funds. RF-2011-02352096.
2015-2017: Principal Investigator, project “Innovative sampling and analysis strategies for an effective anti-doping control”. Funding: Anti-doping Commission at the Italian Ministry of Health.
2015-2018: Member, European project “Learning toxicology through open educational resources (TOX-OER)”. Funding: Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership (Ref. 2015-1-ES01-KA203-015957).
2017: Principal Investigator, project “Advanced applied instrumental analysis for the monitoring of new psychoactive substances (NPS)”. Funding: Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE).
2017-2020: Member: project “Enhancement of waste products from the processing of Albana and Sangiovese grapes to be used in the nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical fields”. Funding: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Imola (Ref. 6197).
2017: Principal Investigator, project “Enhanced urinary stability and detection window of peptide hormones and growth factors by dried urine microsampling”. Funding: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA, Ref. 17A20LM).
2017: Principal Investigator of the Operative Unit 4, project "Linking tryptophan catabolism to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from the pathogenesis to the pharmacological treatment". Funding: Ministry for Education, University and Research (MIUR) with PRIN (Scientific Projects with High National Impact) funds.
2018: Member, project “Therapeutic monitoring of second-generation antidepressant drugs in patients with food disorders, performed by means of mini-invasive techniques: a pilot study”. Funding: Servizio Sanitario Regionale Emilia Romagna (707/2018/ SPER /AUSLBO).
2019: Member, project “Antitumor activity of Artemisia extracts in dog osteosarcoma cell cultures: a multidisciplinary project of translational medicine”. Funding: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna (Ref. 2019.0535)
2019-2022: Member, project “2019 - Finding new targets to counteract brain progenitor cells dysregulation in AGC1 deficiency hypomyelination: a multi- disciplinary approach (Ref. GGP19067), Funding: Fondazione Telethon.
2019: Principal Investigator, project “Dried microsamples: multi-matrix, long-term stability study of doping-relevant peptides”. Funding: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA, Ref. 19A08LM).
2021: Principal Investigator, project “Advancing peptide analysis in dried blood spots: application potential and stability study of doping-relevant peptides”. Funding: World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA, Ref. 20A12LM).
2020-2023: Principal Investigator of the Unibo Operative Unit, European project “Open access educational materials on naturally occurring molecules – sources, biological activity and use (OEMONOM)”. Funding: Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership (Ref. 2020-1-CZ01-KA203-078218).
2021-2024: Member, European project “Innovative teaching and learning path for the prevention of new drugs abuse (INES)”. Funding: Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership (Ref. 2021-1-IT02-KA220-SCH-000032570).
2022-2023: Co- Principal Investigator of the EFSA European Project “Threat-or-treat: Chemical risk assessment of confectionery products in various age groups of European population”. Funding: EFSA, European Food Safety Authority (Ref. GP/EFSA/ENCO/2020/04-GA17).
2022-2024: Member, project "Postbiotics for women's health and future generations: A bio- and green-strategy in line with innovation and sustainable development priorities" (DIANA). Funding: Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna (Ref. FdM/23645).
SCIENTIFIC EVENT ORGANISATION
- International Meeting, member of the scientific and organising committee, "TDM 2008 - Therapeutic and toxic effects of central nervous system drugs: the importance of drug monitoring", Bologna, October 2-3, 2008,
- National Meeting, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Light beyond the hedge. Drugs, alcohol, road traffic injuries. Which prevention?", Bologna, April 24, 2009.
- National Workshop "Drugs, alcohol, road traffic injuries: a very dangerous triangle", Imola, May 11, 2011.
- National Meeting, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Central nervous system drugs: innovative aspects in the fields of formulation and monitoring", Imola, November 30, 2011.
- Seminar "Old and new drugs: chemical-toxicological, clinical and social aspects", Imola, May 11, 2013.
- National Seminar, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Toxicological and forensic questions", Bologna, October 3, 2013.
- National Seminar, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Forensic investigations and risks of new consumption models", Bologna, October 25, 2013.
- National Seminar, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Problems related to the use of psychoactive substances”, Imola, March 13, 2014.
- National Seminar, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Drugs, alcohol, foodstuffs: clinical, chemical-toxicological and forensic aspects", Imola, May 8, 2014.
- National Seminar, member of the scientific and organising committee, "New regulatory aspects and analytical strategies within anti-doping framework", Bologna, October 2, 2014.
- National Seminar, member of the scientific and organising committee, "Application of modern technologies at the service of forensic chemical analysis", Bologna, March 12, 2015.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) - Young Scientists Symposium (2nd YSS): Annual International Symposium”, Barcelona, Spain, November 17, 2015.
- International Workshop, Chair “New Methods and New Techniques for Forensic Analysis” Bologna, April 14, 2016.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “TOX-OER - Learning toxicology through open educational resources”, Bologna, May 16-22, 2016.
- National Workshop, Chair “Drugs, foodstuffs and safety: new challenges, new solutions” Bologna, June 23, 2016.
- International Workshop, member of the scientific and organizing committee, “TOX-OER Project: an international proposal for open-access courses (MOOC) for lifelong education”, Bologna, November 11, 2016.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) - Young Scientists Symposium (3rd YSS): Annual International Symposium”, Barcelona, Spain, November 15, 2016.
- International Conference, member of the scientific and organizing committee, “An international proposal for open access courses (MOOC) for lifelong education: TOX-OER Project”, Bologna, January 18, 2017.
- National Conference, member of the scientific and organizing committee, “Prevention and control of alcohol-related disorders in healthcare workers”, Bologna, May 31, 2017.
- International Conference member of the scientific committee, “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) - Young Scientists Symposium (4th YSS): International Symposium”, Ghent, Belgium, March 15-16, 2018.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee "Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2019)", Pescara, Italy, September 8-11, 2019.
- International Conference member of the scientific and organizing committee, “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) - Young Scientists Symposium (4th YSS): International Symposium”, Bologna, Italy, March 20-21, 2019.
- National Workshop, Chair “Doping and anti-doping: actions and reactions in continuous evolution” University of Bologna in collaboration with WADA, June 20, 2019.
- National workshop, member of scientific and organising committee “FaBiT Retreat”, Bologna, Italy, September 25-26, 2019.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) - Young Scientists Symposium (4th YSS): International Symposium”, Bologna (virtual edition), Italy, March 19-20, 2020.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, "Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2021)", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Virtual Edition), 5-8 September 2021.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “Translational Chemistry, IC3TC 2021”, member of the scientific committee, Caparica (Lisbon, Portugal), 6th – 8th December 2021.
- International Workshop, Chair “The role of scientific research in anti-doping” University of Bologna in collaboration with WADA, May 7, 2022.
- International Workshop, Co-Chair “Traditional and "Emerging" PFAS: a common concern for environmental and food science, connected by food packaging issues” University of Bologna in collaboration with IMaSS, September 15, 2022.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “Forensics 2020”, Caparica (Lisbon, Portugal), November 14-16, 2022.
- American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2023 “Harnessing the Power of Data” Virtual/In-Person annual Meeting and Expo - Session Chair “Advances and Perspectives of Cannabis Research in Medicinal Chemistry, Analysis and Bioanalysis”, San Francisco, August 15, 2023.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, "Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2023)", University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, 4-7 September 2023.
- International Workshop, Chair “IMaSS Drug Analysis Day: A day dedicated to pharmaceutical and pharmaco-toxicological analysis in biological and non-biological samples” University of Bologna in collaboration with IMaSS, September 25, 2023.
- International Conference, member of the scientific and organizing committee, “Proteomics and metabolomics for Biomarker Development in Cardiovascular-related diseases”, Milan (Italy), October 27, 2023.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “Sample Treatment 2023”, Caparica (Lisbon, Portugal), December 4-17, 2023.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “Prescriptomics and Precision Medicine 2024”, Caparica (Lisbon, Portugal), May 11-13, 2024.
- International Workshop, Co-Chair “IMaSS Day on Health and Wellness”, Rimini (Italy), University of Bologna in collaboration with IMaSS, May 30, 2024.
Session Chairperson:
- 3rd National SINut (Italian Nutraceutical Society) Congress, Milan, 20-21 September 2012.
- XV Sigma-Aldrich Young Chemists Symposium - SAYCS 2015, Rimini, 27-29 October 2015.
- EBF Young Scientist Symposium, 2nd YSS “Future of Bioanalysis… A bridge between industry and Academia”, Barcelona, Spain, 17 November 2015.
- Merck Young Chemists International Symposium - MYCS 2016, Rimini, 27-25 October 2016.
- EBF Young Scientist Symposium, 4th YSS “BioA brain, Embracing new ideas”, Ghent, Belgium, 15-16 March 2018.
- International Conference "Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2019)", Pescara, Italy, 8-11 September 2019.
- National workshop “FaBiT Retreat”, Bologna, Italy, 25-26 September 2019.
- International Conference, “Chemistry 2020”, Rome, Italy, 28-29 February 2020.
- International Conference "Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2021)", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Virtual Edition), 5-8 September 2021.
- International Workshop “The role of scientific research in anti-doping” University of Bologna in collaboration with WADA, May 7, 2022.
- International Workshop “Traditional and "Emerging" PFAS:a common concern for environmental and food science, connected by food packaging issues” University of Bologna in collaboration with IMaSS, September 15, 2022.
- International Conference "Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2023)", University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, 4-7 September 2023.
- International Workshop IMaSS Drug Analysis Day: A day dedicated to pharmaceutical and pharmaco-toxicological analysis in biological and non-biological samples” University of Bologna in collaboration with IMaSS, Bologna, September 25, 2023.
- International Conference “29th International Symposium on Electro- and Liquid-Phase Separation Techniques – ITP2023, Rome – San Felice Circeo, September 13-17, 2023.
- International Conference “Caparica Conference on Sample Treatment”, Caparica (Portugal), December 4-7, 2023.
- International Conference, member of the scientific committee, “Prescriptomics and Precision Medicine 2024”, Caparica (Lisbon, Portugal), May 11-13, 2024.
EVALUATION PANELS
- Since 2012, project peer reviewer for MIUR (PRIN and FIRB proposals).
- Since 2015, expert panel member for Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO).
- Jury Member for best poster evaluation, International Conference “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) 2ndYSS: Annual International Symposium”, Barcelona, Spain, November 17-20, 2015.
- Jury Member for best poster evaluation, International Conference “CHIMIA 2016 - New Trends in Applied Chemistry”, Constanta, Romania, May 26-28, 2016.
- Jury Member for best poster evaluation, International Conference “European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) 4thYSS: International Symposium”, Ghent, Belgium, March 15-16, 2018.
- Judging panel member (leading expert in bioanalysis) for “Bioanalysis Rising Star Award” - Bioanalysis Zone and Waters Corporation, January-March 2018.
- Judging panel member (leading expert in bioanalysis) for “Bioanalysis Rising Star Award” - Bioanalysis Zone and Waters Corporation, January-March 2020.
- Jury Member for best poster evaluation, International Conference “Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis (RDPA 2021)", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Virtual Edition), 5-8 September 2021.
- Since 2023, project peer reviewer for Swill National Science Foundation (FNSNF, Switzerland).
- Since 2023, project peer reviewer for La Caixa Foundation (Spain).
- Since 2024, project peer reviewer for Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS, Slovenia).
INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL COLLABORATIONS
Since 2021: Associate Editor of Medicinal Research Reviews (Wiley)
Since 2015: Editorial Advisory Board Member of Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis (Elsevier)
Since 2019: Editorial Advisory Board Member of Molecules (MDPI)
Since 2021: Editorial Advisory Board Member of Advances in Sample Preparation (Elsevier)
Since 2021: Editorial Advisory Board Member of Frontiers in Drug Safety and Regulation (Frontiers Media)
Since 2023: Editorial Advisory Board Member of Frontiers in Analytical Science (Frontiers Media)
Since 2024: Editorial Advisory Board Member of Microchemical Journal (Elsevier)
2019: Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Molecules (MDPI)
2020: Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Molecules (MDPI)
2020: Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Molecules (MDPI)
2020: Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Separations (MDPI)
2020: Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Frontiers in Psychiatry (Frontiers Media)
2021: Guest Editor for a Special Issue of Nutrients (MDPI).
PRIZES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
2007: Award for the best graduation thesis in the field of "Mortality and morbidity control in psychiatric patients: importance of TDM as a rational approach", University of Bologna.
2008: Marco Polo grant for Ph.D. students, University of Bologna.
2010: Italian Chemical Society's (SCI) Silver Seal for the best oral communication at the 10th SAYCS - Sigma-Aldrich Young Chemists Symposium (Pesaro, October 18-20, 2010), for a communication entitled "Cocaine and alcohol analysis, is one blood drop enough?"
2011: Award for the best Ph.D. thesis in the field of "Development of original analytical methods for the therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of central nervous system drugs in biological fluids", University of Bologna.
2018: Best Poster Award, international conference “European Bioanalysis Forum - Young Chemists Symposium” (EBF-4th YSS), March 15-16, 2018, Ghent (Belgium).
2018: Best Poster Award, international conference “Chimia2018 - New trends in applied chemistry”, May 24-26, 2018, Constanta (Romania).
2018: Best Poster Award, international conference “Sample Treatment 2018”, December 3-6, 2018, Caparica (Portugal).
2021: American Chemical Society (ACS) “El Sohly Award” for research excellence in the chemistry of cannabis.
2021: Best poster award, international conference “XXIII International Symposium on Advances in Extraction Technologies” (ExTech2021), June 30 - July 2, 2021 (virtual meeting).
2021: Best poster award, international conference “Recent Developments in Pharmaceutical Analysis” (RDPA 2021), 6-8 September 2021 (virtual meeting).
2021-2022: Highly Cited paper 2021-2022 in the section “Micronutrients and Human Health” of the journal Nutrients (MDPI): Vitamin C - Sources, Physiological Role, Kinetics, Deficiency, Use, Toxicity, and Determination” Nutrients 2021, 13(2), 615.
2023: Best poster award, international workshop “IMaSS Drug Analysis Day”, September 25, 2023.
2023: Best shotgun presentation award, international conference “Sample Treatment 2023”, December 4-7, 2023, Caparica (Portugal).
PARTICIPATION IN ACADEMIC ORGANS
2015-2018, Member of the Council of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
2015-2018, Member of the Council of the School of Pharmacy, Biotechnology and Sport Science (FarBioMot), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna
2017-2023, Delegate for University and Society of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2024-present, Delegate for Quality of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2024-present, Member of the Research Committee of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2024-present, Member of the Didacts Committee of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2024-present, Member of the Committee for University and Society of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
TEACHING ACTIVITY IN ITALY
Academic Year 2012/2013: "Documentation and Communication" course (Bachelor in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6 ECTS Credits).
Academic Year 2012/2013: "Environmental Pollutants Analysis" teaching module of "Chemical-Toxicological Analysis II" course (Bachelor in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3 ECTS Credits).
Academic Year 2013/2014- 2017-/2018: "Chemical-Toxicological Analysis I" course (Bachelor in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8 ECTS Credits).
Since Academic Year 2013/2014: Member of the Proposing and Scientific Committee, Second Level Professional post-lauream Master Programme in Chemical and Chemical-Toxicological Forensic Analysis, University of Bologna.
Since Academic Year 2013/2014: "Forensic Chemical Analysis of Drugs of Abuse" course (4 ECTS Credits) and of "Forensic Chemical Analysis of Doping Substances" course (3 ECTS Credits), Second Level Professional post-lauream Master Programme in Chemical and Chemical-Toxicological Forensic Analysis, University of Bologna
Academic Year 2015/2016: Member of the Proposing and Scientific Committee, Ongoing Formation Course (CFP) in Doping substances in sport, University of Bologna; in charge of the "Analytical-Toxicological Approach for Doping Substances" course.
Since Academic Year 2016/2017: Didactic tutor in Medicinal Chemistry at Collegio Superiore, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
Since Academic Year 2018/2019: Member of the Ph.D. Programme in Health, Safety and Green Systems, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
Academic Year 2018/2019: “Phytochemistry” (3 ECTS) course of the Second Level Professional post-lauream Master Programme in Veterinarian Phytotherapy, University of Bologna.
Since Academic Year 2018/2019: “Phytoderivative Analysis II” course (Bachelor in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7 ECTS Credits)
Since Academic Year 2018/2019: “Chemical-Toxicological Analysis II” course (Bachelor in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7 ECTS Credits)
Since Academic Year 2018-2019: “Analytical-Toxicological Approach to Drugs of Abuse” course (Bachelor in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3 ECTS Credits)
Academic Year 2019/2020: “Phytochemistry” course (3 ECTS) of the Second Level Professional post-lauream Master Programme in Veterinarian Phytotherapy, University of Bologna.
Since Academic Year 2020-2021: “Analysis of Medicines I - Module 2” course (Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies, 3 ECTS Credits)
Since Academic Year 2020/2021: Director of the Second Level Professional post-lauream Master Programme in Chemical and Chemical-Toxicological Forensic Analysis, University of Bologna.
Since Academic Year 2023-2024: “Phytopharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis - Module 2: Phytopharmaceutical Analysis” course (Master’s Degree in Pharmacy, 3 ECTS)
TEACHING ACTIVITY ABROAD
Academic Year 2013/14: University of Granada (Spain), monitoring visit (5 days), Visiting Professor (Erasmus+ Program).
Academic Year 2014/15: Charles University in Prague (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic), teaching activity (8 h), Visiting Professor (Erasmus+ Program).
Academic Year 2016/17: Transilvania University in Brasov (Romania), teaching activity (6 h), Visiting Professor (Erasmus+ Program).
Academic Year 2017/18: University of Porto (Portugal), Transylvania University in Brasov (Romania), teaching activities (8 h), Visiting Professor (Erasmus+ Program).
Academic Year 2017/18: Transilvania University in Brasov (Romania), monitoring activity (3 days), Visiting Professor (Erasmus+ Program).
Academic Year 2018/19: Transilvania University in Brasov (Romania), teaching activity (10 h), Visiting Professor (Erasmus+ Program).
Academic Year 2020/21: King’s College, London (UK), virtual teaching activity (4 h), Visiting Professor
Academic Year 2021/22: King’s College, London (UK), virtual teaching activity (4 h), Visiting Professor
Academic Year 2021/22: University of Malaga (Spain), teaching activity (2 h), Visiting Professor
Academic Year 2021/22: University of Muenster (Germany), monitoring visit (1 day) with the delivery of a seminar, Visiting Professor
Academic Year 2022/23: King’s College, London (UK), virtual teaching activity (4 h), Visiting Professor
Academic Year 2022/23: University of Malaga (Spain), teaching activity (1 h), Visiting Professor
Academic Year 2023/24: NOVA University of Lisbon (Portugal), virtual teaching activity (2 h), Visiting Professor.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS, GRANT HOLDERS AND ASSISTAN PRFESSORS
- Internationalisation: Since 2012, Coordination of eight international exchanges for students of The University of Bologna within the Erasmus+ Programme: University of Geneva (Switzerland), University of Oslo (Norway), University of Granada (Spain), University of Salamanca (Spain), University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Lincoln (UK), University of Monte de Caparica (Portugal), Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic).
- Supervision of experimental graduation theses: Years 2005-2012 Laura Mercolini has assisted (as co-supervisor) a large number of last-year students of the degree courses in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies, Pharmacy and Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences. Since 2013 Laura Mercolini is coordinating (as supervisor) several last-year students of the degree courses in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies, Pharmacy and Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences.
- Supervision of Ph.D. students
2013-2015 - Tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences/Analysis curriculum, University of Bologna.
2016-2020 - Co-tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University in Prague (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic).
2018-2021 - Co-tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Bologna.
2019-2022 - Tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Health, Safety and Green Systems, University of Bologna.
2020-2023 - Co-tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Health, Safety and Green Systems, University of Bologna.
2021-2023 - Tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Health, Safety and Green Systems, University of Bologna.
2022-2025 - Co-tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Health, Safety and Green Systems, University of Bologna.
2023-2026 - Co-tutor of a Ph.D. student of the Programme in Health, Safety and Green Systems, University of Bologna.
- Supervision of grant holders
2013-2015, supervisor of five graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2016-2020, supervisor of a post-doc research fellow in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2016, supervisor of one graduated grant hold in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum – University.
2017, supervisor of two graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2018, supervisor of four graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2019, supervisor of two graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2020, supervisor of two graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2021, supervisor of two graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2022, supervisor of two graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2023, supervisor of a post-doc research fellow and two graduated grant holders in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2024, supervisor of a post-doc research fellow in Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
- Supervision of Assistant Professors
2020-2022, Tutor of the junior Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
2022-2025, Tutor of the senior Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna.
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC)
- International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT)
- Patient Centric Sampling Interest Group (PCSIG)
- Italian Chemical Society (SCI), Medicinal Chemistry Division
- Italian Toxicology Society (SITOX)
- Gruppo di Tossicologi Forensi Italiani (GTFI)
- Italian Society of Mass Spectrometry (IMaSS).
LANGUAGES
- Italian: mother tongue
- English: mastery
- French: vantage
- German: waystage.
