Massimo Bortolotti

Current Position
Adjunct Professor at the University of Bologna since 2022. His research focuses on plant toxins (Ribosome-Inactivating Proteins, RIPs) and toxin/carrier conjugates, with the aim of developing targeted experimental therapies for various diseases.

Education

• 2004: Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, University of Bologna

• 2008: PhD in Oncology and Experimental Pathology (Project 2: Experimental Pathology), University of Bologna

Academic Career

• 2008–2019: Research fellow (assegnista di ricerca), University of Bologna

• 2020: Independent professional contract (VAT-based)

• 2021: Non-occasional freelance collaborator

• Oct. 2021 – Dec. 2022: Technical Officer (Category D, “Area dei Funzionari”), Department of Specialist, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine

• From Jan. 2023: Technical Officer, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences

• Since 2022: Contract Professor, University of Bologna

Teaching Activity

• Since 2022, lecturer in General Pathology Laboratory within the Master’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery – Forlì Campus

• From 2010 to 2021, academic tutor and teaching assistant in the same course – Bologna Campus

Research Activity

Main research interests include:

1. Identification, purification, and characterization of new plant toxins (RIP)

2. Investigation of the pathophysiological mechanisms of RIP intoxication

3. Design and construction of toxin/carrier conjugates for targeted experimental therapies

He is the author of 55 scientific publications, including 30 as first or last author in international indexed journals, and has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences.

Institutional Roles

• Jul. 2025 – present: Technical-administrative staff representative in the Department Board (DIMEC)

• May 2022 – present: Staff representative in the Department Council (MEDSPEC → DIMEC)

• Jan. 2022 – May 2022: Technical-administrative staff representative in the Department Council (MEDSPEC)

• Jun. 2015 – Dec. 2017: Member of the Research Group for Third Mission and Public Engagement – MEDSPEC

• 2013 – 2016: Member of the Joint Academic Staff-Student Committee – Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

• 2011 – 2016: Staff representative in the Department Council – Experimental Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES)

Editorial and Scientific Committee Memberships

• Editorial Board Member of Toxins (since 2021)

• Guest Editor of Special Issues for Toxins and Frontiers in Pharmacology

Awards and Recognitions

• 2012: Travel Grant – XXXI National Congress of the Italian Society of Pathology and Translational Medicine

• 2008: “Prof. Luciano Balli” Award – I National Congress of Biotechnology, Medicine and Health

• 2006: “Young Researcher” Award – XXVIII National Congress of the Italian Society of Pathology

• 2005: “Tonino Pistani” Degree Award – Lions Club “Bologna Re Enzo”

Other Activities

• Delegate of the DIMEC Director for the STRIMS area concerning the management of radioactive materials (since August 2023)