Maria Luisa Astolfi | Chemistry and Materials Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr Maria Luisa Astolfi, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

Publication profile

Education

In 2005, the individual graduated from Sapienza University of Rome with a Master’s degree in Chemistry, focusing on a thesis titled “New analytical procedure for the chemical characterization of suspended particulate matter in the atmosphere,” under the guidance of Prof. Enrico Cardarelli and Dr. Cinzia Perrino. They further pursued a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry of Real Systems at the same institution from 2005 to 2008, culminating in 2009 with a thesis on “Chemical characterization of suspended particulate matter in the atmosphere: analytical problems and studies for the identification of emission sources,” supervised by Prof. Silvia Canepari.

Appointments

Currently, from October 2020 to September 2025, they serve as an Assistant Professor RTD-A at the Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome. In addition, they hold several academic appointments, including being a substitute member of the exam committee for the Ph.D. course in Chemical Sciences at Sapienza University for the 40th cycle, and serving on various committees for research and contractual assignments at the university.

Editorial Activity

They have held several editorial roles, including serving as an invited guest editor for “Advances in Analytical Strategies to Study Cultural Heritage Samples, 2nd Edition” in Molecules, and guest editor for several special issues in journals like Frontiers in Analytical Science and Analytica, focusing on topics like contaminants in environmental matrices and green analytical methods.

Teaching Experience

Since 2020, they have been teaching various courses at Sapienza University of Rome, including “Equilibri Chimici e Tecniche Strumentali di Analisi” and “Chimica Analitica III,” contributing significantly to the curriculum in the Department of Chemistry. They were also an invited teacher in 2021 for a specialized course on monitoring and source identification methods for atmospheric particulate matter.

Research Centre Affiliations and Society Memberships

They have been affiliated with the Research Centre for Applied Sciences for the Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC) at Sapienza University of Rome since June 2021. They are also a member of the Italian Chemical Society and the Italian Aerosol Society since 2020.

Research Activities

Their research primarily focuses on developing and optimizing analytical methods for the elemental analysis of complex matrices, including environmental, biological, and food samples. They emphasize the importance of efficient sample preparation methods and apply these analytical techniques to environmental monitoring and biomonitoring, particularly assessing the impact of chemical contaminants on human health and environmental quality.

Summary of Scientific Achievements

The individual has a substantial body of work, with 85 publications, including 78 articles, a review, four conference papers, a book chapter, and an editorial. Their work has spanned from 2006 to 2024, and they have also contributed to patents, proceedings, and books.

Publication top notes

Agro-industrial wastes as potential carriers for enzyme immobilization: A review

Characterisation of the traffic sources of PM through size-segregated sampling, sequential leaching and ICP analysis

Comparative elemental analysis of dairy milk and plant-based milk alternatives

Seasonal variations in the chemical composition of particulate matter: a case study in the Po Valley. Part II: concentration and solubility of micro-and trace-elements

Enhancement of source traceability of atmospheric PM by elemental chemical fractionation

Determination of soluble ions and elements in ambient air suspended particulate matter: inter-technique comparison of XRF, IC and ICP for sample-by-sample quality control

Characterization of Italian multifloral honeys on the basis of their mineral content and some typical quality parameters

A prophylactic multi-strain probiotic treatment to reduce the absorption of toxic elements: In-vitro study and biomonitoring of breast milk and infant stools

Efficiency evaluation of food waste materials for the removal of metals and metalloids from complex multi-element solutions

Optimization and validation of a fast digestion method for the determination of major and trace elements in breast milk by ICP-MS

Tamara Erceg | Chemistry and Materials Science | Hypothesis Achievement Award

Dr Tamara Erceg, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, Serbia

Dr. Tamara Erceg is a Research Associate at the Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, with a Ph.D. in Polymer Science. Her research focuses on polymer materials, including their design, synthesis, and recycling, emphasizing green chemistry and biodegradable packaging. Dr. Erceg is involved in educational activities, teaching courses in synthetic polymer chemistry and polymer processing. She has published extensively on biobased materials and active packaging, contributing to high-impact journals. Additionally, she reviews papers for top-tier journals and is engaged in various academic and scientific committees. 🌿🔬📚

Education

Dr. Tamara Erceg holds a Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Novi Sad, completed in 2019 with an impressive average grade of 10.00. Their doctoral thesis focused on “Structuring of Polymer Networks Based on Acrylamide and Acrylic Acid.” Prior to this, Dr. [Name] earned both an MSc and a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering from the same university, graduating with an average of 9.70. Their Master’s thesis explored “The Properties of Water-in-Oil Emulsions Stabilized by Polyglycerol Polyester Emulsifiers.” 🧪🎓

Experience

Since 2013, Tamara Erceg has been delivering private lectures on Probability and Statistics, and Chemistry 📚. Since 2016, they have been actively involved in educational and pedagogical work at the Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad 🎓. Their responsibilities include conducting and preparing laboratory and computational exercises for Materials Engineering courses such as Synthetic Polymer Chemistry, Plastic Processing Technology, and Recycling of Polymer Materials 🧪🔬. They also contribute to research funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia 🌟🔍. [Name] is dedicated to advancing both teaching and research in the field.

Projects

From 2010 to 2019, the user contributed to nanocomposites and functional materials research funded by the Serbian Ministry of Education. They have since engaged in diverse projects, including biodegradable materials, diagnostic probes, and bioeconomy applications. Notable roles include managing the “E-NOSE” Horizon Europe project (2023) and leading the “BugControl” initiative (2024). Other projects involve optimization of food carbohydrates, waste valorization, and advanced hydrogels for agriculture. They have also collaborated internationally on quantum correlations and wearable smart patches. Their work spans significant research funding and innovative developments. 🌍🔬📈🌱🧪

Research focus

Based on the provided research publications, the individual’s research focus seems to center on sustainable and eco-friendly materials in food and packaging industries. Their work includes developing biodegradable films, active coatings, and nanotechnology-based coatings, which aim to enhance food preservation and packaging efficiency. They also explore the incorporation of natural substances like essential oils and plant-based extracts for improving product stability and shelf life. The research emphasizes using biopolymers and plant-derived materials to create environmentally friendly and functional products. 🌱📦🔬