Ph.D. Students
Contacts: iole.mannella@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Iole Mannella is a PhD student in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Sciences 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 and tuberculosis.
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 MedSymth 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).
Visiting research activities. After the Master’s Degree Iole spent 3 months (May 2021-August 2021) 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.
Publications (July 2024, Scopus).
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: 2
Scopus citations: 1
Flash communications: 1
Posters: 4
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. In particular:
· 2023-2024 “Drug Analysis II- Module I” (8 h) - Master’s degree of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology - UniTo.
· 2023-2024 "Phytopharmacy Laboratory and Analysis of Active Principles of Plant Origin”(60h) - Bachelor’s degree program of Herbal Products - UniTo
· 2023-2024 "Exercitation of Food Chemistry and Phytopharmacy" (20 h) - Bachelor’s degree program of Herbal Products - UniTo
· 2020-2021 Part Time Collaboration for student 200h
· 2018-2019 Part Time Collaboration for student 200h
Department roles.
· Jan 2023 – to date Member of DSTF International Mobility commission member
Contacts: noemi.villella@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Noemi Villella is a PhD Student in Medicinal Chemistry (SSD: CHIM/08) at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy).
Research interests and expertise: Noemi’s research is dedicated to the design and advanced organic synthesis of small heterocyclic-based molecules, targeting oncological diseases, Malaria and neuropathic pain. Furthermore, the experience gained by Noemi in recent years has led her to delve into the field of protein purification and the execution of biochemical tests for in vitro profiling of molecules of interest.
Background and education. Noemi obtained a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in May 2014, with a Thesis focused on compliance with oral anticancer therapy by patients with renal cell carcinoma. Later on, in June 2020, Noemi obtained her second Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology) with a Thesis focused on the design, synthesis and co-crystallization of new inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase based on the hydroxypyrazole scaffold. From September 2020 to October 2022, she worked as postgraduate fellow at the MeDSynth research group (University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology), focusing on different projects concerning the design, synthesis and characterization of small molecules based on the hydroxyazole core. In November 2022 she started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino), still ongoing.
Visiting research activities. During her Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, Noemi spent 5 months (May 2019 – September 2019) at the CARe Research Centre, University of Gothenburg (Sweden) focusing her work on the overexpression and purification of PfDHODH, aiming to obtain a complex of the purified enzyme with its inhibitor (supervisor Prof. Rosmarie Friemann). During her Ph.D., Noemi was involved in a 6-months international exchange (February 2024 – July 2024) at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, University of Barcelona (Spain), focusing on the design, synthesis and physiochemical profiling of novel inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase for the treatment of neuropathic pain (supervisor Prof. Santiago Vázquez).
Publications (July 2024, Scopus).
Oral presentation: 1
Flash communications: 2
Posters: 8
Teaching activities. Noemi covered the role of assistant to the teaching activities of different DSTF courses.
In particular:
· 2023-2024 "Preparation of products of vegetal origin" (80 h) - Bachelor’s degree program of Herbal Products – UniTo
· 2020-2021 “The path that leads to the discovery of a drug” (20 h) – Orientation course aimed at High School’s students – DSTF - UniTO
Department roles.
· Jan 2023 – to date Member of DSTF Public Engagement communication sub-commission (social media campaign of the Department).
· Mar 2023-Mar 2024 Ph.D. students’ representative at DSTF.
Contacts: Federico.fornaseri@unito.it
+39 011 6707184
Federico Fornaseri is a first years Ph.D student in Medicinal Chemistry (SSD: CHIM/08) at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy)
Research interests and expertise: Federico’s research focuses on the determination of chemical-physical proprieties, ADME and metabolism studies, and in vitro activity of new possible drug candidates for the treatment of oncological diseases and Malaria.
Background and education. Federico obtained a master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in October 2023, with a Thesis titled “Possible hDHODH and AKR1C3 multi-target inhibitors: a new strategy for anticancer therapy” (Supervisor Dr. Giorgis). In November 2023, he started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino), focusing on the optimization of the development of drug candidates with antitumor and anti-infective activity in preparation for certified preclinical trials.
Public Engagement activities.
· 03.04.2024 – to date: “SALTO - Salute senza confine”
· 14.03.2024: “Pi greco Day”
· 29.09.2023: “UNIGHT – Notte europea dei ricercatori”