Postdocs
Contacts: chiara.vigato
+39 011 6707181
Research interests and expertise: Chiara’s research is dedicated to the in silico design (docking, molecular dynamics) and advanced organic synthesis of small heterocyclic-based molecules, targeting oncological diseases, tubercolosis and malaria.
Background and education. Chiara obtained a Master’s Degree with honors in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in April 2020, with a Thesis focused on the application of a bioisosteric approach in the design of innovative inhibitors of Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) to target prostate cancer. In November 2021, she was awarded with the Silver Medal of the University of Torino for her Master’s career (academic year 2018/2019). In October 2020 she started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino). Chiara finally defended her Doctoral Thesis titled “Inhibition of Enzymes Involved in the Induction of Apoptosis and Differentiation as well as Drug-Resistance in Myeloid Leukemias” (tutor Prof. Boschi) in May 2024, achieving her Ph.D. with honors.
Publications (Jan 2026, Scopus)
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: 3
Scopus citations: 39
Oral presentations: 2
Flash communications: 3
Posters: 9
Covers: 1
Scopus ID: 58180374300
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7726-3162
Visiting research activities.
· Nov 2021 – Mar 2022 Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Analytical Instrumentation Unity, at the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri (Milano); Development of new methods for the detection of hDHODH inhibitors metabolites after microsomal incubation (tutor: Dr. Bagnati).
· Mar 2022 – Jun 2022 Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, at the University of Lublin (Poland); Development of new dual inhibitors of AKR1C3 and CYP17A1 to target prostate cancer (tutor: prof Wròbel).
· May 2023- Aug 2023 Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology of the University of Copenhagen; crystallization and x-ray structural analysis of complex of AKR1C3 enzyme and its inhibitors (tutor: Prof Mirza).
· Sep 2023- Dec 2023 Department of Pharmacy of the University of Pisa ; molecular modeling studies (docking evaluation, molecular dynamics, and binding free energy determination) of novel hDHODH inhibitors (tutor: Prof Tuccinardi).
Teaching activities. Chiara covered the role of assistant to the teaching activities of different DSTF and Chemistry department courses.
Coordination of projects. Chiara has been Coordinator of the following project:
“WOLF - AI-powered integrated approach to discover new MtDHODH inhibitors: steps into tubercolosis fight ” supported by Merck, Call for proposals AI driven drug discovery. The collaboration is active from 07/01/2025 to 07/01/2026.
Department roles.
· Mar 2025 – to date Temporary afferents' representative at DSTF
· Jul 2024 – to date Member of DSTF Public Engagement Commission
· Jan 2023 – to date Member of DSTF Public Engagement communication sub-commission (social media campaign of the Department)
· Mar 2022-Mar 2024 Ph.D. students’ representative at DSTF.
Contacts: iole.mannella@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Iole Mannella is a Postdoctoral Reasearcher in Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy).
Research interests and expertise: Iole’s research is dedicated to the synthesis and structural characterization of new compounds, with a focus on optimizing and scaling up synthetic processes. Her major research areas include acute myeloid leukaemia, tuberculosis and broad-spectrum antivirals
Background and education. Iole obtained a Master’s Degree with honors in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in April 2021, with a thesis focused on the application of a bioisosteric approach in the design of innovative inhibitors of Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) to target prostate cancer. After a three months research fellowship at MedSynth group, in January 2022 she started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino) implemented under the D.M. 1061/2021, PON 'Research and Innovation' 2014-2020 and co-funded by Drug Discovery and Clinic (DDC) company. Iole defended her Doctoral Thesis titled “Green technology transfer of new drug candidates based on hydroxyazole structure in an advanced preclinical phase for the treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Covid 19” (tutor Prof. Boschi) in June 2025, achieving her Ph.D. with honors.
Visiting research activities. After the Master’s Degree Iole spent 3 months at the Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, at the University of Lublin (Poland): there, her work focused on developing new dual inhibitors of AKR1C3 and CYP17A1 to target prostate cancer (tutor: prof Wròbel). During her Ph.D. Iole was involved in an international exchange at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Biochemical sciences, Universidad Major de San Andrés, La Paz (Bolivia). There she focused on the chemical extraction (supercritical fluid extraction, microwave assisted extraction, alcoholic maceration) of biologically active substance from Amazonian plants and generation of HPLC-DAD-MS chromatographic fingerprint and NMR analysis of selected biological active species (Prof. Alberto Gimenez). During her last year of PhD she spent 4 months at the University College Dublin gained an understanding of the business environment in which biopharmaceutical companies operate, including management principles, drug development processes, associated risks, and the evaluation of drug products (tutor: Prof. Jan Rosier).
Publications (Jan 2026, Scopus).
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: 2
Scopus citations: 12
Flash communications: 2
Posters: 7
Scopus ID: 58626381200
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6354-6535
Teaching activities. Iole covered the role of assistant to the teaching activities of different DSTF and Chemistry department courses.
Department roles.
· Jan 2023 – to date Member of DSTF International Mobility commission member