University of Salford
I obtained a MSc in Industrial Chemistry with first class marks at the University of Messina, Italy. After a postgraduate fellowship from the Italian Council ‘National Institute of the Science and Technologies of Materials’ (INSTM), I received a PhD scholarship from the International Max Planck Research School, which enabled me to develop my PhD research in the Department of Inorganic Chemistry of the Fritz Haber Institute (FHI) of the Max Planck Society (Germany).
I completed my PhD in Natural Sciences and defended my thesis entitled “Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes and Application in Heterogeneous Catalysis” at the TU Berlin in August 2009 obtaining the first-class degree marks (summa cum laude).
After my PhD, I joined the surface analysis group at the FHI, with a Max Planck postdoctoral research fellowship. During my post-doctoral research, I pioneered the application of ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to study in situ polymeric electrolyte based electro-catalytic cell in operation.
In January 2013, I was appointed a group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Germany and further progressed research on in situ spectroscopy to investigate electrified solid/liquid interfaces. In February 2015, I joined the VERSOX team at Diamond Light Source before moving in September 2018 to Salford University as a lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry.
“I think it is particularly important to explore different strategies in the fight against cancer in a time frame which is sensible. And this is what we are trying to do, we are trying to bring to the table different basic knowledge, to combine together, to attain more effective cures, but also less damaging. This is also a very important aspect [to our research]”
Areas of research
Energy Materials, Nanotechnology, Catalysis, Green Chemistry, Structure Characterization
The goal of my research is the application-oriented design of new functional materials. To achieve this goal, my research strategy consists of establishing molecular level structure-function relationships through the controlled synthesis of tailored materials, testing and thorough structural characterisation, including but not limited to extensive use of innovative in situ synchrotron-based techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Current projects focus on the development of hybrid organic/inorganic supported metal and metal oxide nano structures mimicking structures and functions of biological systems, to be applied in energy, low carbon technologies, drugs delivery and biomedical research.
Memberships
Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Member of the American Vacuum Society
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