Chiara Vitale-Brovarone
Prof. Chiara Vitale-Brovarone graduated in Materials Engineering in 1997 and took her Ph.D in Materials Engineering at Politecnico di Torino in 2001. She has won fellowships for research stays at the Ecole de Chimie de Montpellier in France and at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California, USA. She is Full Professor in Materials Science and Technology at the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT) Politecnico di Torino since 2017, where she leads the IRIS group (Improving Regeneration by Intelligent Scaffolds, http://www.irisgroup.polito.it). She chairs the following courses: Materials Engineering (Master Science Degree in Materials Engineering) and Materials and engineered surfaces for application in medicine (Master Science Degree in Biomedical Engineering). Her research interests are mainly related to the development of innovative biomaterials ranging from the macro to the nanoscale (3D-scaffolds, smart micro and nanoparticles for drug and molecule release, nanofibrous structures, injectable cement and smart surfaces with osteoproductive, antibacterial, antifouling and biomolecule release properties). She is partner in the start-up Novaicos Immunotherapeutics (https://novaicos.com/), a biotech company focused on innovative approach for the treatment of cancer and bone-loss related diseases.
In the past she has coordinated the following EU-funded projects: BIORESS (FP7), MATCh (FP7) which has been awarded by the Commission as Success Story, MOZART (H2020), GIOTTO (H2020), BOOST (ERC-Consolidator, PI) and she has been WP leader for the project RESTORATION (FP7).
Currently, she is involved in the following EU projects:
· REBORN (Horizon Europe): coordinator
· TENTACLE (Horizon Europe): PI of Politecnico di Torino
· DAEDALUS (Horizon Europe): PI of Politecnico di Torino and WP leader.
She is in the Standford University’s list of “World’s Top 2%” scientists.
Giorgia Montalbano
Biomedical engineer specialized in biomaterials for regenerative medicine and advanced manufacturing. Earned a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering in 2016, after research at Newcastle University developing hydrogel-based systems for encapsulating pancreatic β-cells to treat Type I diabetes. Completed a Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Medical-Surgical Sciences, with a focus on biomimetic scaffolds produced through 3D printing and electrospinning to support bone tissue regeneration. Engaged in major EU and ERC projects, collaborating with prominent international and national institutions and responsible of the research unit for the PRIN 2022 PNRR FOCAL national project. Currently Assistant Professor at Politecnico di Torino (Department of Applied Science and Technology), with expertise focused on multifunctional smart biomaterials for tissue regeneration and targeted drug delivery, recently extended to energy and environmental applications.
Jacopo Barberi
Materials engineer specializing in biomaterials for tissue regeneration and osseointegration, with a strong focus on advanced material characterization techniques. Graduated in 2018, conducting research on the development of bioactive glass–loaded inks for direct-write 3D printing in collaboration with Tampere University. Earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Technology in 2022, with research focused on protein adsorption on biomaterials, developing solid expertise in titanium surface modification, material–biomolecule interactions, and surface characterization methods. Since 2023, involved in multiple EU-funded projects, with research centered on the optimization and characterization of electrospun piezoelectric fibers, as well as carriers for drug delivery and oxygen release. Currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Applied Science and Technology at Politecnico di Torino.
Sonia Lucia Fiorilli
Prof. Sonia Lucia Fiorilli graduated in Industrial Chemistry in 2000 from the University of Turin and obtained her PhD in Materials Science and Technology from Politecnico di Torino in 2005. She was awarded research fellowships at the School of Chemistry of the University of St Andrews (UK) and at the École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie in Montpellier (France). She has also been a visiting researcher at the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, University of York (UK), and a visiting professor at Université Laval (Québec, Canada). She is currently a Full Professor of Fundamentals of Chemical Technology in the Department of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT) at Politecnico di Torino. At present, Prof. Fiorilli chairs the “Chemistry” course and co-chairs the “Organic Chemistry” course at Politecnico di Torino. Her scientific activity focuses on the synthesis, characterisation, and functionalization of inorganic nanostructured materials and composites, primarily for biomedical, environmental, and energy-related applications. More recently, her research interests have expanded to include the development of sustainable processes and formulations for advanced 3D manufacturing (including 3D printing and electrospinning) and innovative recycling strategies for recovering and reusing critical or hazardous raw materials from complex products. She has been selected to receive the 2024 Jubilee Global Diversity Award from the Engineering Ceramics Division of the American Ceramic Society. Prof. Fiorilli is Associate Editor of Sustainable Materials and Technologies. She has been and is currently involved in several international and national projects, as principal investigator, WP leader, task leader, and a component of the research units.
