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Alma universitas studiorum parmensis A.D. 962 - Università di ParmaAlma universitas studiorum parmensis A.D. 962 - Università di Parma People and Organization
Università degli Studi di Parma

Sara Nicoli

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Full professor
Department of Food and Drug
SSD: Technology, Socioeconomics and Regulation of Medicinal and Health and Wellbeing Products (CHEM-08/A)

About

Since 2023 I’m Full Professor at the Food and Drug Department of the University of Parma. Myr research is focused on dermal, transdermal and ocular drug delivery. In particular my research lines concern: 1) set-up of ev-vivo models for the study of drug retention and permeation across biological barriers and, in particular, mucous membranes, ocular tissues and skin; 2) the preparation, characterization and evaluation of innovative drug delivery systems (microemulsions, nano and micro carriers, micelles, polymeric films); 3) technique for the enhancement of drug absorption across biological tissues (iontophoresis, nanovectors, chemical enhancers, cell penetrating peptides). The final aim is the realization of drug formulations characterized by high efficacy, lower side effects and an high patient’s compliance, in particular for the treatment of diseases affecting the eye, mucosal membranes and the skin.

Curriculum Vitae

Born in Piacenza (Italy) on 24th December 1971.

Since 01-11-2023 : Full Professor at the Department of Food and Drug of the University of Parma in Italy.

Since February 2025: Associate Editor, International Journal of Pharmaceutics (Elsevier, ISSN 0378-5173) https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/international-journal-of-pharmaceutics

 

Scientific production: more than 100 papers published in international peer-reviewed journals (3,900 citations, H-index: 34; Source: Scopus, extracted on 26/09/2025) https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6701572930&origin=resultslist

 

 

Education and Carrier:

30/09/2014 - 31/10/2023 Associate Professor at the Department of Food and Drug of the University of Parma

1/2/2004 – 30/09/2014 Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacy of the University of Parma in Italy.

2006 (two months) and 2007 (1 month): Invited Professor c/o ISPB (Institut de science Pharmaceutiques et Biologique), Faculty of Pharmacy, University Claude Bernard, Lyon 1, France

13/1/2005 – 15/9/2005 Visiting Researcher at the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology of the University of Bath, UK.

1/11/2000- 31/1/2004 Post Doc position (full time) : Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy.

25/1/2001 Discussion of PhD thesis Subject: Dermal and transdermal administration of drugs: two case-studies

1/11/1997 – 31/10/2000 PhD student (Doctoral School: Biopharmacy and Pharmacokinetic) -tutored between the Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy and the Laboratoire de Physico-chimie, Pharmacotechnie et Biopharmacie of UMR CNRS 8612 – University of Paris XI – France. She was grantee of a mobility scholarship from the Italian Ministery of University and Scientific and Technologic Research

2/5/1997 – 31/10/1997, Fellowship holder (full time) on the subject: “Dermal administration of a drug for photodynamic therapy” c/o o Department of Pharmacy, University of Parma, Italy

11/3/1997. Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (Class: 110/110 cum laude- full marks)).

 

Invited Talks (selected)

  • “Overcoming barriers in ocular drug delivery: potential and challenges of nanocarriers” 23rd International Symposium on Microencapsulation Ferrara (Italy) 10-12 September 2025
  • “Polymeric micelles for ocular drug delivery” PBP World Meeting, 13th world meeting on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology (ADRITELF-APGI-APV), Rotterdam, The Netherlands 28-31 March 2022
  • “Topical Application of Polymeric Nanomicelles in Ophthalmology “GORDON RESEARCH CONFERENCE; Cornea and Ocular Surface Biology and Pathology;  Maintaining and Restoring Corneal and Ocular Surface Health, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco, February 16 - 21, 2020
  • “Innovative strategies to overcome ocular barriers”, in “Crossing Biological Barriers, in Health and Disease”, XV FISV Congress, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy • 18-21 September 2018
  • “Peptides in ocular delivery: drugs and potential carriers”, 15th Edition Of The European Symposium On Controlled Drug Delivery (ESCDD2018), Egmond Aan Zee, The Netherlands 11-13 Aprile 2018.

Teaching

Research

Research areas

My research is focused on drug delivery across biological barriers such as skin, ocular tissues and buccal mucosa. In particular, my research lines concern: 1) set-up of ex-vivo models for the study of drug retention and permeation across biological barriers and, in particular, mucous membranes, ocular tissues and skin; 2) the preparation, characterization and evaluation of innovative drug delivery systems (microemulsions, nano and micro carriers, micelles, polymeric films); 3) technique for the enhancement of drug absorption across biological tissues (iontophoresis, nanocarriers, chemical enhancers, cell penetrating peptides).

Publications

Full list of publications

Research projects

  • Ocular Research By Integrated Training And Learning

    Manager: Nicoli Sara

    Sponsor: EUROPEAN COMMISSION (COMMISSIONE EUROPEA)

    Start date: 01/09/2019 End date: 31/12/2024