Nadia Lotti is Full Professor of Chemical Foundations of Technologies (GSD 03/CHEM-06/A and SSD CHEM-06/A) at the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering of the University of Bologna. She is also a member of the Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Research Advanced Materials for Photonic Design and Applications (CIRI-MAM) and of the Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-food Research (CIRI-Agrifood) of the University of Bologna.
Her research interests include the synthesis and molecular characterization, in solid and melt, of polycondensates and the chemical modification of commercial polymers. Her research is currently focused on polymers from renewable sources for applications in eco-friendly food packaging and biopolymers for biomedical use.
In particular, her expertise concerns: (i) melt synthesis and chemical modification of polycondensates; (ii) study of the structure-property correlations of synthetic and natural polymers, copolymers and polymer alloys for the design of new materials with physical properties aimed at the intended application; (iii) molecular, structural, morphological, thermo-mechanical characterization and study of gas barrier properties of macromolecular systems; (iv) development of nano/micro particles for controlled drug delivery; (v) study of the kinetics of crystallization from glass and melt and correlation with structural parameters; (vi) microplastics in food matrices; (vii) valorization of waste and by-products of the agri-food chain for applications in the packaging and agriculture sectors.
EDUCATION
She graduated in Chemistry (University of Bologna) in 1989 (June 26) with a grade of 110/110 cum laude with a thesis entitled “Binary polymer mixtures” (supervisor Prof. Maria Pizzoli). Qualification to practice as a Chemist in 1989. From 1989 to 1992: PhD in Industrial Chemistry, at the University of Bologna. Title of the research program: "Bacterial Polyesters" (Tutor Prof. Mariastella Scandola). She obtained the Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry in 1993 (September 7). In 1991, during the second year of the PhD, the undersigned completed a 4 and a half month internship (March 1-July 17) at the University of Massachusetts (U.S.A.) under the supervision of Prof. R.W. Lenz, during which she worked on the biosynthesis and biodegradability of bacterial polyesters.
ACADEMIC CAREER
• In 1993 (February 1), holder of a 4-month professional assignment on the specific topic "Packaging Materials", project manager Prof. P. Manaresi.
• In 1993 (June 1), holder of an annual scholarship funded by the National Research Committee (CNR) on the topic “Polymeric mixtures containing bacterial polyesters: correlations between biodegradability and morphology”, carried out at the Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician” of the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences of the University of Bologna, under the guidance of Prof. M. Scandola.
• In 1993, winner of a position in the qualification of Collaborating Chemist put up for competition by the Local Health Unit n° 38 of Forlì. Started 1/12/1993. Suspension of the scholarship of the National Research Committee after 6 months.
• In 1995, Researcher at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Bologna, branch of Reggio-Emilia, for the Scientific-Disciplinary Sector C06X (Chemistry); appointment July 1st.
• She was placed on pre- and post-natal leave from 08/21/96 to 01/08/1997.
• In 2011 (April 11th), Confirmed Associate Professor of Chemical Fundamentals of Technologies (CHEM-06) at the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering of the University of Bologna.
• From December 20, 2021 to today Full Professor of Chemical Fundamentals of Technologies (CHEM-06) at the Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering of the University of Bologna.
TEACHING ACTIVITY.
As regards teaching activity, Nadia Lotti has held and still holds courses in Basic Chemistry in the disciplinary sector CHEM-06 at the School of Engineering and Architecture of the University of Bologna. Since the Academic Year 2022-2023, he has also taught a free-choice course for the Degree Course in Electronic Engineering in Cesena.
He is Tutor and Co-tutor of numerous Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Theses.
SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS, ADMITTED TO FUNDING ON THE BASIS OF COMPETITIVE CALLS WITH PEER REVIEW
- PRIN: Molecular nanotechnologies for controlled drug release - NANOMED (duration 3 years 2012-2015) - Head of Unit
- European Project FP7: New biotechnological approaches for the biodegradation and promotion of environmental biotransformation of synthetic polymeric materials - BIOCLEAN (duration 3 years)
- COST Action "European Network of Chemicals and Materials based on FURan FOR Sustainable Development" (FUR4Sustain) CA18220- Leader WG4
- HORIZON-JU-CBE: “Versatile furan-based polymers for strIct and high value applications in packaging, automotive and underwater environments” FURIOUS (duration 4 years 2023-2027) - UNIBO leader
- PR-FESR EMILIA ROMAGNA 2021-2027: "Biomolecules from the valorization of agri-food by-products for a sustainable, safe and active primary packaging" (BIO4SUSPACK) (duration 2 years 01 February 2024-31 January 2026)- Coordinator
SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
- PON: Nanomaterials for NAMASTE Sustainable Building " (duration 30 months starting from 2013).
PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH PROJECTS
- PR-FESR EMILIA ROMAGNA 2021-2027: "Coating for Sustainable and Circular Food Packaging" (Co.Pack.So) (duration 2 years 01 February 2024-31 January 2026) - participant
- MIMIT PROJECT "INNOVATIVE INGREDIENT SUPPLY CHAINS AND OPTIMIZED PROCESSES AT THE SERVICE OF A SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM" (ACRONYM IN-PULSE) (duration 3 years from 2023) - participant
- CONTRACT between Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A (IMA SPA) and DICAM for the execution of research activities on the following topic: "Characterization of commercial packaging in Polyethylene and consultancy on the development of a method for the determination of the recycled content". (Duration 8 months until June 2025) - participant
- CONTRACT between Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A (IMA SPA) and DICAM for the execution of research activities on the following topic: "Project QUantification and reduction of the environmental impact of automated packaging processes thanks to LCA and Ecodesign (ACRONYM QUEST) (duration 18 months starting from 2024) - participant
- EUSMI Project - European Soft Matter Infrastructure: call 2021 “Molecular dynamics of green polymers explored by dielectric relaxations (E210400523)” (Participant)
- EUSMI Project - European Soft Matter Infrastructure: call 2021 “Multiparametric properties of green polymeric thin films by atomic force microscopy (E210400527)” (Participant)
- “Study of molecular dynamics of polymeric mixtures at based on furan by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (E190300254)” EUSMI - European Soft Matter Infrastructure: call 2018 (Participant)
- “Nanomechanical studies of biobased polymer thin films” EUSMI - European Soft Matter Infrastructure: call 2018. (Participant)
- “BDS study on furan-based polymers: low frequencies (E171100043)” EUSMI - European Soft Matter Infrastructure: call 2017 (Participant)
- “BDS study on furan-based polymers: high frequency (E171100040)” EUSMI - European Soft Matter Infrastructure: call 2017 (Participant)
- Research contract with IMA and Alce Nero: "Food Packaging: survey of traditional and innovative polymeric materials, with particular attention to their environmental impact" (duration 1 year, a starting from November 1, 2016).
- Research contract with ACMI: "Research, study and development of a new bioplastic for secondary and tertiary packaging of beverages" (duration 1 year from 2015).
- Research contract with Fresenius Hemocare Italia srl: Identification of characterization methods of poly (butylene terephthalate) and its mixtures to be used for haemofiltration devices obtained by melt-blown technology (duration 1 year, starting from 2014).
- Strategic project of the University of Bologna: nanostructured polymeric scaffolds for electrospinning for biomedical applications "(duration 2 years 2007-2009).
- PRIN project: Synthesis and development of innovative hyperbranched polymers and copolymers based on PES and PEES as toughening agents for thermosetting matrices for RTM "(duration 3 years 2003-2005).
OTHER SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES:
She has been visiting professor at:
• Departamento de Fisica de Materiales, Universidad del Pais Vasco within the EUSMI project;
• The GPM Laboratories - EIRCAP team of the Université de Rouen
• Referee of international journals in the field of polymeric materials and biomaterials.
• Member of the Editorial board of Applied Science MDPI.
• Member of the Polymers MDPI Advisory board.
• Member of the Editorial board of Coatings MDPI.
• Guest Editor of Sustainability MDPI.
• Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Waste Management and Environmental Issues.
Guest Editor:
• Applied Science-SI Eco-friendly Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications
• Sustainability-SI Sustainable materials for food packaging
• Polymers-SI Polymer Structure and Property
• Polymers-SI Biobased and biodegradable Plastics: from Passive Barrier to Active Packaging Behavior
• Polymers-SI Polymer Structure and Property II
• Polymers-SI Polymer Structure and Property III
• Polymers-SI Polymers from Renewable Resources for Packaging and Biomedical Applications
• Polymers-SI Women in Polymer Science and Technology: Sustainable Polymers.
• International Journal of Molecular Science: Novel Polymeric Materials for Biomedical and Food Packaging Application
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
A. Esposito (University of Rouen), A. Alegria (University of the Basque Country), T. Ezquerra (CSIC), D. Mantovani (Laval University), L. Moroni (Maastricht University), M. Sampaolesi (KU Leuven) , D. Bikiaris (University of Thessaloniki), A. Silvestre (University of Aveiro), GZ George Z. Papageorgiou (Iannina University), R. Androsch (University Martin-Luther), A. Muller (Ikerbasque Foundation for Science) A. Szymczyk (Department of Mechanical Engineering West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin) Thiyagarajan, Shanmugam (Wageningen Food & Biobased Research), Prof. Alfonso Jimenez (University of Alicante , Spain), Sbirrazzuoli Nicolas (Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France).
INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND ACADEMIC TASKS
He is a member of the Teaching Staff of the PhD in Health and Technologies.
He is a member of the Credit Recognition and Transfer Committee for the Degree Course in Electronic Engineering.
He is a member of the DICAM Research Commission.
She was a member of the Teaching Board of the PhD in Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering from the XXVI to the XXXIII cycle.
She was a member of the Teaching Board of the PhD in Industrial Chemistry until in the 25th cycle.
She was a member of the Credit Recognition and Transfer Committee for the Degree Course in Biomedical Engineering (until 2018).
SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION
She is author/co-author of 203 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 4 proceedings, 5 reviews (5518 citations, Hindex = 40), 2 book chapters, 1 editorial and 180 communications at international and national conferences (SCOPUS) .
Participation as a speaker at congresses and conferences of national interest:
By invitation (7)
Oral presentations (5)
• Participation as a speaker at congresses and conferences of international interest:
By invitation (8)
Seminars by invitation (4)
Oral presentations (6)
