ML Focarete is Full Professor of Polymer Materials Science and Technology (CHIM/04) at the Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" of the University of Bologna, where she leads the Polymer Science and Biomaterials research group.
Since May 2024, she has served as the Director of the Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician" at the University of Bologna.
She is also a member of the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research in Life Sciences and Health Technologies (CIRI-SDV) of the University of Bologna, where she carries out research activities in the field of biomaterials.
She serves as co-chair of the Value Chain MatERialS – Materials for Health and Life Sciences within the ClustER Health of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
She is Rector’s delegate within the Innovative Advanced Materials Initiative (IAM-I), which supports the establishment of the upcoming European partnership on advanced materials (IAM4EU), aimed at fostering a multidisciplinary European ecosystem for research, innovation, and industrial adoption of sustainable advanced materials.
In 2006, she founded the interdepartmental research group on electrospinning technology (RGE-UniBo) at the University of Bologna.
Her research interests focus on polymer chemistry and technology for applications in the biomedical, environmental, and energy sectors. In particular, her main research topics include: functional polymeric materials, biomaterials, polymers for controlled drug release, scaffolds for regenerative medicine, polymer nanostructures, physical properties and rheology of polymers, mechanical characterization, and surface modification of polymeric materials.
Her expertise includes:
(i) structure-property relationships of synthetic and natural polymers, copolymers, and polymer blends for the design of materials with tailored properties;
(ii) molecular, structural, morphological, thermal-mechanical, and rheological characterization of macromolecular systems;
(iii) chemical and physical functionalization of polymers, surface modification, biomolecule conjugation, and surface characterization;
(iv) electrospinning for the production of innovative nanostructures;
(v) 3D bioprinting and evaluation of bioink printability.
CURRICULUM STUDIORUM
ML Focarete graduated in Chemistry from the University of Bologna in 1995 with a final mark of 110/110 cum laude. She qualified to practice as a professional chemist in 1996.
From 1996 to 1999, she completed a PhD in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Bologna. Her doctoral research focused on: "Relationship between structure, physical properties, and biodegradability of polymeric materials". She earned her PhD in March 2000.
During her doctoral studies, she spent a research period abroad at the University of Göttingen (Germany) from June to December 1998.
Academic Career
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From 2000 to 2006, she was a Research Fellow at the Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician" at the University of Bologna and held adjunct teaching positions.
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From 2006 to 2014, she served as Assistant Professor in Polymer Materials Science and Technology at the same department.
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From September 2014 to September 2020, she was Associate Professor.
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Since October 2020, she has been Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna.
Teaching Activities
ML Focarete teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the CHIM/04 scientific-disciplinary sector at the University of Bologna, including:
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Chimica delle Macromolecole (Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Materials Chemistry)
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Chimica e Tecnologia dei Materiali Polimerici (Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Materials Chemistry)
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Polymeric Materials for Life Science (Master’s degree in Photochemistry and Molecular Materials)
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Functional Polymeric Materials (Master’s degree in Photochemistry and Molecular Materials)
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Cosmetic Packaging (Master’s degree in Advanced Cosmetic Sciences)
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Progettazione di Materiali Polimerici e Sostenibilità (Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science)
She is Director of the second-level professional Master’s programme jointly organized by the University of Bologna and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia:
“Materials and Processes in the Production of Devices for the Health Sector (MABIOMED)”.
She is a faculty member and instructor in the first-level Master’s programme in Composite Materials at the University of Bologna.
She has also been a tutor at the Collegio Superiore of the University of Bologna and has supervised numerous Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD theses.
She regularly organizes and coordinates seminars in her fields of expertise.
Coordination of Research Projects
ML Focarete has coordinated and managed numerous national and international research projects and industrial contracts, for a total funding of approximately €600,000 (€400,000 from public research grants and €200,000 from industry collaborations). Selected projects include:
- POR-FESR project (2024–2027): "NEWMAT4CEC" – Unit Coordinator
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H2020-RISE "GreenMap" – Local Unit Coordinator
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H2020-ICT project (2018–2022): "Smart and intuitive osseointegrated transfemoral prostheses..." – Unit Leader
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FET-OPEN project (2018–2022): "From nano to macro..." – Co-PI
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POR-FESR project (2016–2018): "TECNO_EN-P" – Unit Coordinator
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FP7 project “NEFELE” (2011–2013): Scientific Coordinator
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POR-FESR 2007–2013 (2009–2010): Collaboration with RI.MOS. S.R.L. – Unit Coordinator
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PRIN 2006 project (2007–2009): Local Unit Coordinator
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Strategic University Project (2007–2009): Coordinator
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Regione–Università 2007/2009 Research Programme: Unit Coordinator
Participation in Recent Research Projects
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MAT2REP – POR-FESR (2019–2021): Multifunctional biomaterials for tissue and organ self-repair
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Step-by-step – POR-FESR (2016–2018): Integrated approach for patients with acute neurological lesions
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PLASMAT (2013–2016): Plasma-assisted preparation and modification of materials for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and energy applications
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Italy–USA Bilateral Project (2008–2010): Novel polymeric materials through biocatalytic routes and nanotechnology
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“Engineered cardiac tissue constructs for myocardial regeneration” (2007–2009): Funded by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna
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Marie Curie Host Fellowship – BIOMAHE (2004–2008): Biodegradable Polymeric Materials for Health and Environment
Visiting Positions
ML Focarete has been a visiting researcher at the following international institutions:
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Institute of Polymer Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), Zabrze, Poland
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Center for Bio-Catalysis and Bio-Processing, Polytechnic Institute of New York University (USA)
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National University of Singapore – NUS Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Initiative (Singapore)
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Faculty of Chemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (March 2018)
Participation in COST Actions and Scientific Committees
She is or has been a member of the following European COST Actions:
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MP1206 – Electrospun nanofibers for bio-inspired composite materials and innovative industrial applications
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MP1301 NEWGEN – New Generation Biomimetic and Customized Implants for Bone Engineering
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CA23110 INFOGUT – International networking on in vitro colon models simulating gut microbiota-mediated interactions
She also served as:
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Chair of the European evaluation team for the POLINNOVA project (2016)
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Vice-Chair for the Horizon 2020 Science with and for Society call (2016–2017)
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Reviewer for national and international research projects
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Referee for international journals in the fields of polymeric materials and biomaterials
Editorial Activity
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Editor of the book "Filtering Media by Electrospinning – Next Generation Membranes for Separation Applications" (Springer International Publishing)
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Editor of the book "Core-shell nanostructures for drug delivery and theranostics: Challenges, strategies and prospects for novel carrier systems." (Elsevier)
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Editor of the book "Advances in Nanostructured Materials and Nanopatterning Technologies – Applications for Healthcare, Environmental and Energy" (Elsevier)
International Collaborations
ML Focarete collaborates with several internationally renowned researchers and institutions, including:
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S. Ramakrishna (National University of Singapore)
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R.A. Gross (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA)
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A. Korsunsky (Oxford University)
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D. Mantovani (Laval University)
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L. Moroni (Maastricht University)
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N. Tirelli (University of Manchester)
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M. Kowalczuk (Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
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I.K. Radecka (University of Wolverhampton)
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I. Noda (University of Delaware)
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E. Zussman (Technion – Israel Institute of Technology)
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Mark Saltzman and Zhaozhong Jiang (Yale University)
Institutional Roles and Academic Appointments
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Member of the PhD Programme in Health and Technology at the University of Bologna
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Former Third Mission Delegate for the Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician"
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Former member of the PhD Programme in Nanosciences for Medicine and the Environment
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Member of the University Thematic Group: Digital Industry and Space
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Former Erasmus Programme Coordinator with the University of Wolverhampton (UK)
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Former Coordinator for the PIRE (Partnerships for International Research and Education) agreement – NSF project "Materials for Renewable Energy: Nature’s Way (RENEW)"
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Member of the PhD Programme in Chemical Sciences (2014–2016)
Scientific Output
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Author of nearly 170 international peer-reviewed publications,
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3 book chapters,
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6 PCT patents and 2 Italian patents
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Presented over 100 contributions at national and international conferences in the fields of polymeric materials and electrospinning
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H-index: 38 (Web of Science)
