People

Agnese Pavan

PhD student

Agnese Pavan's Thesis project develops multifunctional, biodegradable hydrogels designed to tackle key agricultural challenges: water scarcity, soil nutrient depletion, and heavy metal contamination. By reinforcing the hydrogel matrix with nanofillers (including conductive MXenes), secondary polymers, and functional molecules like plant growth regulators and chelating agents, the aim is to create smart materials capable of controlled water/nutrient release and real-time soil sensing. Green chemistry principles guide the entire synthesis process.

Matteo Benetazzo

PhD student

Matteo Benetazzo's thesis project focuses on optimizing HSP90α (Heat Shock Protein 90α) inhibitors as senolytic agents. Building on prior work identifying compound K5, a xanthine-based HSP90α inhibitor with senolytic activity, the study aims to generate more potent derivatives through structural optimization. Using MIF (Molecular Interaction Fingerprint) analysis, molecular docking, and Lambda Dynamics simulations, a focused library of K5 analogues was designed and evaluated. Four of thirteen synthesized derivatives showed greater potency than K5 in inhibiting HSP90α, as measured by HSF1 (Heat Shock Factor 1) nuclear relocalization in senescent cells, establishing them as promising candidates for next-generation senolytic therapy.

Former PhD students

Giorgia Possamai (2000) - Electrolux Italia - Project leader

Raffaele Riccò (2003) - Concrete4change - Carbon capture chemist

Graziano Fabbrini (2004) - FIS Fabbrica Italiana sintetici - API production manager

Elena Brasola (2006) - FIS Fabbrica Italiana sintetici - IP specialist

Paola Donnola (2009) - Galentis - QC team leader

Emiliano Rossi (2011) - FIS Fabbrica Italiana sintetici - R&D team leader

Simone Silvestrini (2011) - Procter & Gamble - Group scientist

Christian Corrado De Filippo (2014) - FIS Fabbrica Italiana sintetici - R&D team leader

Andrea Faresin (2018) - alpinestars - Junior report analyst

Meng Zheng (2018) - Quingdao Haiwan Science&Technology Institute - Research engineer

Former postdocs

Stefano Schergna (2001-2003)

Davide Dattilo (2005-2007) - Process Scientist at Suss Microtec Lithography

Prasenjit Maity (2008) - Professor at National Forensic Science University, Bombay

Edmondo Benetti (2011-2012) - Full professor at University of Padova

Simone Silvestrini (2012) - Procter & Gamble - Group scientist

Amanda Evans (2013) - Scientists in the Biosciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Mina Roudgar (2013) - Project Manager at Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies

Hyacintha Lobo (2013-2015) - Technical Advisor at ROBIC, India

Alberto Ongaro (2025) - RTDa Researcher at University of Ferrara

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