XXXIV
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PhD Student |
Background and Research Project |
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Balsamo Marta |
I am Marta Balsamo and I am a PhD student in CHEMICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, BIOMEDICAL, HYDRAULIC AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING of cycle XXXIX. I graduated in Biomedical Engineering - Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine in 2023, after completing an experimental Thesis in the field of optimization of process parameters for the production of porous systems, which introduced me to the context of the production and characterization of polymeric materials. My PhD project is developed in collaboration with SAMOTHRACE and as part of the research group of Professors Maria Chiara Mistretta and Roberto Scaffaro, with whom I already worked during the Thesis period. In particular, I am working on the optimization in the production and characterization of carbon-based, micro- and nano-structured polymeric systems, to be included in the context of environmental safeguard, through the capacity they will have to act as sensors to detect and remove pollutants (heavy metals, drugs, etc.) or to controlled release substances for sustainable applications. The project fits into a period of great distress for the environment and it is of fundamental interest for preserving the health of living species. |
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Beringheli Giuseppe |
I’m Giuseppe Beringheli, PhD student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering” at the University of Palermo. In 2023, I achieved my Master’s degree in Engineering and Innovative Technologies for the Environment from this University with a grade of 110 cum laude, discussing a thesis entitled “Study of the Effects of Climate Change on Urban Wastewater Quality and wastewater treatment processes”. The main objective of my research project is to provide water service managers with a predictive and decision-making tool, such that they can implement appropriate management interventions to ensure the proper functioning of the plant in relation to specific disturbing factors that may occur due to various causes, among them extreme weather events. |
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Curiale Chiara |
I am Chiara Curiale, Ph.D. student in "Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering" at the University of Palermo. My academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, conferred by the University of Palermo and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering, from University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome. During my master's studies, I conducted my thesis research at the Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT) at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona. There, I focused my studies on regenerative medicine and Microphysiological systems for in vitro evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma model. Currently, my research PhD project aims focus on design and fabrication of Organ-on-Chip (OoC) microfluidic platforms as substitute for animal models. Besides, I integrate OoC with scaffolds and sensors, in order to optimize the design and create a context that closely mimics physiological conditions. In fact, the advantages of dynamic culture systems over traditional static culture methods in promoting enhanced cellular activities have been demonstrated. My PhD research is linked to the research group of Professor Vincenzo La Carrubba.
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(n.a.) Foto Francesca |
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Gullotti Giorgio |
Giorgio Gullotti is a civil engineer, graduated at the University of Palermo. During his university career, he developed an interest in hydraulic disciplines and, in particular, in those related to water resource planning and management. The availability of water resources is threatened by complex phenomena such as climate change that are characterized by ‘deep uncertainty’ and cannot, therefore, be described with traditional statistical tools. The research project aims to address the issue of investment choice in the field of water supply by using the robustness concept, which is appropriate for problems that deal with deep uncertainty. The different elements of uncertainty of the supply-demand balance of water resources will be examined and a comprehensive procedure for investment choice will be defined for the evaluation of investment alternatives and management policies aimed at improving and making more sustainable the balance between supply and demand of water resources. |
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Ingrassia Emanuele |
Emanuele Ingrassia Ph.D student in "CHEMICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, BIOMEDICAL, HYDRAULIC AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING" at the University of Palermo. He gained a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in in Environmental Engineering at University of Bologna and University of Trento respectively. He developed a master’s thesis in collaboration with University of Genova titled “Coastline evolution at Vjosa river outlet” inside a international cooperation project, focusing the study on the morpho-dynamic evolution of the delta of Vjosa river, the main river of Albania, combining the knowledge of river and coastal engineering. He worked in an Italian company for more than one year as coastal engineer supervising, among other projects, a construction project of a new port in Mauritania and designing new reclamation in Victoria Lake in Tanzania. These experiences increased his interest in studying coastal and maritime processes, with particular focus on numerical modelling. His doctoral research join the efforts of the University of Palermo and national research institutes to develop wave measurement methods as from wave buoy as from coastal High Frequencies Radar (HFR). Particular attention is currently devoted to high-intensity storms events as Medicane. Furthermore, innovative methods and algorithms are being studied for wave spectrum representation with data obtained from buoy and HFR. |
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(n.a.) Javed Areej |
Profile not available Link to CV (n.a.) |
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La Rosa Martina |
I am Martina La Rosa, currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic, and Materials Engineering at the University of Palermo. My academic journey includes earning a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology with honors, followed by a double master's degree in Industrial Biotechnology from the University of Milano Bicocca and Genetics from Université Paris Cité. During my master's studies, I conducted my thesis research at the Institut Necker Enfants Malades center in Paris. There, I focused my studies on specific genes implicated in regulating the production of IL-10, which is used to treat Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. My Ph.D. research is focused on exploring compact and printable hydrogels for applications in neural tissue engineering. Using scaffold-based models, I aim to establish a standard for in vitro neurodevelopmental studies and to study neurological diseases by comprehending disease mechanisms and develop innovative therapeutics. I am assessing the suitability of these scaffold for in vitro applications using various methods such as MTS, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and FACS analysis. Additionally, all scaffolds are integrated into Organ-on-Chip (OoC) microfluidic platforms to complete the study in dynamic. |
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Lazzara Maria Lucia |
I am Maria Lucia Lazzara, PhD student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering” at the University of Palermo. I graduated in Biomedical Engineering on March 2023 at the same University. The field of my work is concerned the electrochemical growth of coatings on metal alloys for local delivery of therapeutic agents. This is a promising emerging field of biomedical research because implant-related infections remain among the leading reasons for prosthesis failure with high economical and social associated costs. Localized drug release from implants can minimize side effects and enhance treatment outcomes. The project involves adjusting process parameters to vary coating thickness and morphology, followed by electrochemical and biological characterizations to assess corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility. Drug release will be performed using immersion tests in fluids simulating the physiological environment. Tailoring the loading and release of drugs from implants is crucial for specific applications. These studies aim to produce coated devices enhancing patients' quality of life. Analyzing and optimizing these systems is the focus of my PhD Project. |
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Licatese Roberto |
My name is Roberto Licatese, PhD student in CHEMICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, BIOMEDICAL, HYDRAULIC AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING, XXXIX Cycle. I graduated in Chemical Engineering at the University of Palermo and then i continued my studies in Chemical Engineering of Sustainable Processes at Politecnico di Torino. The objective of my research is to investigate novel electrochemical catalysts for the oxidation of biomass, with a focus on enhancing the selectivity of the desired products and the process efficiency, towards enabling sustainable green energy production. |
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Lo Presti Anna Maria |
Anna Maria Lo Presti obtained her master's degree in Chemical Engineering in March 2023 at the University of Palermo with a thesis entitled: 'Hemodynamic effects of vascular pathologies: 3D modeling from diagnostic imaging and CFD simulations'. She is currently a PhD student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering” at the University of Palermo with a project in collaboration with the Ri.Med Foundation in the area of numerical simulation of complex physiological problems. Anna Maria's project aims to develop a platform for predicting the formation and growth of thrombus in various pathological and post-procedural conditions, such as atrial fibrillation and the presence of prosthetic valves of various types. The study exploits a new numerical method based on the Lagrangian approach of SPH computational hydrodynamics. |
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Luciano Marco |
Profile not available Link to CV (n.a.) |
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Orlando Salvatore Antonio |
Salvatore Antonio Orlando is a PhD student in “CHEMICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, BIOMEDICAL, HYDRAULIC AND MATERIALS ENGINEERING” at the University of Palermo. He got a Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Chemistry from the University of Palermo. The research project aims to develop an electrochemical sensor for the detection of biomarkers of inflammatory diseases such as hydrogen peroxide. An electrochemical sensor is a device in which an analyte, is detected by its reaction on the electrode surface. This generates a measurable electrical signal given by a transducer. Nanostructured materials will be used to obtain a competitive sensor with traditional analytic methods. |
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Romano Enrica |
Enrica Romano is a Ph.D. student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering”, Cycle XXXIX at the University of Palermo. Enrica obtained her BSc in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Palermo (Italy) in 2020, specializing in the field of biomaterials. Subsequently, she relocated to Turin (Italy) in October 2020 to pursue a MSc in Biomedical Engineering (Bionanotechnologies curriculum), provided by Politecnico di Torino. During her master's degree, she actively contributed to a project to design an esophageal graft for the treatment of benign stenoses, in collaboration with Rimed Foundation and IRCCS ISMETT (Palermo). Enrica's PhD project is dedicated to evaluating endothelial cell proliferation on various substrates through the manipulation of flow conditions. The primary objective is to promote the establishment of a stable endothelium while simultaneously introducing an innovative approach to minimize thrombogenicity. Experimental validation efforts will involve the implementation of two distinct cellular assays to evaluate the traction force of the cells: PA-TFM and 3D-TFM. |
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Romano Francesca |
I am Francesca Romano, PhD Student in “Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering” at the University of Palermo. I got in Oct 2023 a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering (Biomaterials for regenerative medicine) from the University of Palermo. My current research project is a collaborative effort with the Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering group (MSTE) of Fondazione Ri.MED, whose expertise lies in the development of bioactive scaffolds (cellular or acellular) capable of providing pro-regenerative signals to musculoskeletal tissues. This approach, aims to support reconstructive surgery of cartilage, osseous tendon/ligamentous, and muscle injuries by promoting functional tissue regeneration in the medium term. More in detail, my project focuses on developing a smart, bioactive, and implantable 3D porous scaffold specifically designed to mimic natural tendons and promote their healing. This innovative scaffold, fabricated using FDA-approved materials, will be engineered to closely replicate the structural and functional properties of human tendons. This groundbreaking approach has the potential to overcome the limitations of current commercial devices and surgical techniques, offering superior treatment options for both young patients suffering from traumatic lesions and elderly individuals with degenerative lesions. |
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Schiera Veronica |
I am Veronica Schiera, a Ph.D. student in "Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic, and Materials Engineering" at the University of Palermo. My academic background encompasses a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on Biomaterials for Regenerative Engineering, both awarded by the University of Palermo. My Master's thesis titled “Optimization and biological validation of a dynamic cell culture system for in vitro drug release tests”. Currently, my research PhD project aims focus on fabricating of polymeric scaffold loaded with natural antioxidant molecules for tissue engineering and drug delivery application. The research activity considered during my Master thesis and PhD research is linked to the research group of Professors Valerio Maria Bartolo Brucato and Vincenzo La Carrubba. |
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Ventimiglia Lorenzo |
My name is Lorenzo Ventimiglia and I graduated in Chemical Engineering at the University of Palermo in 2023 with a thesis titled "Development of a pilot unit for the crystallization of magnesium hydroxide". I am a PhD student in Chemical, Environmental, Biomedical, Hydraulic and Materials Engineering at the University of Palermo. My PhD is a industrial one and is co-financed by the start-up ResourSEAs. The aim of my research project is to design, modeling and construction of a new process for the valorization of industrial waste brine. the idea is using a circular economy scheme for the valorization of brine producing marketable magnesium hydroxide, reagent used in the process and chemicals used for the remineralization of seawater reverse osmosis permeate in order to produce potable waters. |
