Tenure-track researcher in Medicinal Chemistry, focusing on the development and validation of computational methods for drug discovery. My work addresses molecular representations, virtual screening, docking, and molecular dynamics applied to microbial and neurodegenerative targets. My expertise also includes the study of medicinal plants and their bioactive constituents, adopting an integrated approach bridging phytochemistry and medicinal chemistry.
Current position
From December 2025: Tenure-Track Researcher (RTT) at the Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma.
Professional experience
- Postdoctoral researcher (SSD: CHEM/07A); Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy (April 2024 - November 2025).
- Postdoctoral Associate at the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA (January 2023 - March 2024).
- Postdoctoral researcher (SSD: CHIM/08); Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy (December 2020 - December 2022).
- Visiting Graduate Student at the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA (January 2020 - July 2020).
- Ph.D. student in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy (October 2017 - November 2020).
- Research fellow at the Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy (November 2015 - September 2017).
- Research Scholar at the Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy (September 2014 - September 2015).
- Visiting Undergraduate Student at the Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark (November 2013 - March 2014).
Education
PhD in "Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences" (SSD: CHIM/08); Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Second level Master's degree (3 years) in Phytoterapy; Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Master of Science degree in “Pharmacy”; Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Awards
"I. Taddei" 2015 award, from Italian Society of Phytotherapy (S.I.Fit) and Indena, for the best master's thesis on phytoterapy in Italy, presented during the XXIII Congresso Nazionale di Fitoterapia.
Scientific expertise
Computational medicinal chemistry
Molecular modeling and simulations
Integrative study of natural products and medicinal plants
Scientific and institutional activities
Secretary General of the Italian Society of Phytotherapy
Scientific Handling Editor for "Next Research"
Editorial Board member for "Computational Molecular Bioscience"
Early Career Editorial Board member for "Pharmaceuticals"
Community Reviewer for "Frontiers in Chemistry - Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Section"
Wednesday from 3.30 pm to 5 pm, provided email communication.
