Academic staff
Annalisa Santucci
Full professor of Biochemistry
Founder and President of the Scientific Committee of aimAKU – Italian Association of Patients affected by Alkaptonuria.
Coordinator of Life Sciences Macronode of Competence Center ARTES 4.0 Advanced Robotics and enabling digital TEchnologies & Systems 4.0.
Founder and President of the Scientific Committee of SienabioACTIVE, a benefit start-up and Siena University spin-off.
Her research group has a relevant long-term experience in post-genomics, cell biology, protein structure-function relationship, bioinformatics and AI. Their research was mainly focused in elucidating the molecular basis of human diseases with applications also in precision medicine, particularly rare diseases. More recently, her interest focused on bioeconomy approaches for the extraction of bioactive compounds from waste and prototypal application for ONE-HEALTH.
Giulia Bernardini
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Member of the Joint Committee Teachers-Students (Commissione Paritetica Docenti-Studenti-CPDS) of the DBCF-UniSI
Delegate for the Placement of the DBCF-UniSI
My scientific background is primarily in proteomics/immunoproteomics and cell biology with a focus on elucidating the molecular basis of human and infectious diseases, cell stress and developing novel therapeutics. Current research involves proteomics and biochemical studies of rare conditions such as the ultra-rare metabolic disorders Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome and Alkaptonuria, and rare malignancies.I authored more than 80 papers on international peer−reviewed scientific journals and book chapters scoring an h-index of 28; I am Associate Editor for Antibiotics and Guest Editor for the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, and Cells. I also serve as a reviewer for several journals in the fields of biochemistry, proteomics and cell biology and for proposals for national and international granting agencies (CINECA, Horizon 2020).
Daniela Braconi
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
My research interests focus on understanding the molecular mechanisms of biological systems responding to perturbing agents, with an emphasis on oxidative stress and post-translational modifications of proteins.
My previous research focused on the post-genomic analysis of wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used as a model cell to understand the stress response during wine fermentation or due to contamination with pesticides. My current research deals with the molecular basis of rare human diseases, especially alkaptonuria, and in particular on the establishment and characterization of in vitro models as well as the analysis of stress biomarkers, pathological protein aggregation, and effects of drugs.
Barbara Marzocchi
Researcher in Pathology
Biologist Manager at U.O.C. Laboratory Clinical Pathology in University Hospital “Santa Maria alle Scotte” (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese).
Member of Società italiana di Biochimica (SIB).
Member of Società italiana di Biochimica Clinica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica (SIBioC).
Member of Società italiana di Patologia Clinica e Medicina di Laboratorio (SIPMeL)
Member of the Tuscany Region PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-(BiBiM 2.0) Dottorato Executive Pegaso (Universities Siena, Pisa, Firenze and CNR).
Ottavia Spiga
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Ottavia Spiga obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and received her Ph.D. degree in Biotechnology from the University of Siena in 2002.
Prof. Spiga is a vice-coordinator of Unisi Competence Center ARTES 4.0 for the Industry 4.0 field.
Her strong interest in molecular modelling and computational docking analysis led her to participate in many research projects globally. Her most prominent expertise is in the field of Computational Biology, with projects in Machine learning applications for the development of data-driven predictive models. She has developed an Interactive database: investigating clinical data to improve patient care in AKU rare disease, and Applications of in Silico Methods for the Design and Development of Drugs Targeting Protein-Protein Interactions. Her strong interest is in Molecular modelling, in silico screening and Molecular Dynamic simulation with the application of Artificial intelligence applied to Precision and Personalized Medicine.
Andrea Bernini
Associate Professor of Biochemistry
Principal Investigator of the NMR & Structural Biology Lab of the University of Siena.
Manager of MolSys Technology Platform for molecular characterization.
Associate editor for BMC Molecular and Cell Biology.
Author of more than 80 papers in international peer−reviewed scientific journals (see my WOS for an up-to-date record).
My background is primarily in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of biomolecules, computational biology, and bioinformatics. My research focuses on structure determination, metabolomic profiling, protein/protein, and protein/small molecule interaction.
My current research involves multi-omics investigation of rare metabolic disorders, rare malignancies, and steroid-converting enzymes.
Michela Geminiani
Researcher in Biochemistry
Co-founder and CDA member of SienabioACTIVE, a benefit start-up and Siena University spin-off.
Scientific background: study of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and osteosarcoma cell lines’ proteome concerning osteoarticular diseases; study of the pathogenic mechanisms behind rare diseases affecting the osteoarticular apparatus using in vitro and ex vivo models.
Current research: extraction, biochemical characterization, and study of in vitro effects of natural extracts derived from waste materials.
Alfonso Trezza
Junior researcher in Biochemistry
Alfonso received his master’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Siena in 2015 and a European Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy (DBCF) of Siena University in 2019.
From 2021 to date, he is research fellow and assistant professor at the DBCF in the same University, where he currently holds a module of “Big Data Issues in Computational Biological Chemistry” for master’s course in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (DBCF) and a module in “Advanced Biological Chemistry” for master’s course in Chemistry (DBCF).
Main research interests include structural biology, pairwise/multiple sequence alignments, molecular modeling, protein folding/unfolding pathway, docking and classical/meta molecular dynamics simulations. Currently Dr. Trezza is co/author of over 45 scientific works published in many renowned Peer-reviewed journals in the fields of Structural, Molecular, and Computational Biology.
Anna Visibelli
Junior researcher in Biochemistry
Anna graduated in applied mathematics and expert in the implementation of computer science, statistical modeling and Machine Learning methods to understand biological data.
Advanced skills in computational biology and bioinformatics, with a strong focus on the most advanced tools and approaches in the field of Precision Medicine, Life Sciences and Healthcare. Skills in building systems and processes that automate the acquisition, transformation, and analysis of data in Machine Learning projects.
PhD Students
Pierfrancesco Mastroeni
PhD student
Tommaso Olmastroni
PhD student
Behnaz Shabab
PhD student
Behnaz holds her degree in Pharmacy from India and brings over 8 years of experience as the head of the Oral Solid Dosage Form department in the pharmaceutical industry in Iran, specializing in semi-finished production. She later pursued a Master of Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Siena, before transitioning directly into a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, focusing on bioeconomy. Her current research focuses on the valorization of natural waste resources, exploring their phytochemical composition to perform in-vitro activities on different cell lines across various pathways, aiming to contribute to sustainable solutions in pharmaceutical research.
Sundas Javed
PhD student
My PhD research primarily focuses on rare neurodevelopmental disorders (particularly on Lesch Nyhan Syndrome). Currently, I am working on peptidomics (MS-based) analysis of serum and plasma samples from different rare neurodevelopmental disorders patients. I am also involved in HPLC analysis of rare metabolic diseases for diagnostic purposes.
Roberta Barletta
PhD student
PhD student enrolled in the national PhD “Innovation in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of epidemic-pandemic-risk infections” . My PhD research focuses on novel antimicrobial compounds from natural sources. I am currently studying natural extracts to identify bacterial targets for their bioactive compounds.
Ava Palazli
PhD student
PhD student in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Siena, specializing in sustainable circular bioeconomy and the development of environmentally responsible biotechnological approaches. Holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Siena and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
Bashar Al-Mousawi
PhD student
PhD student enrolled in the national doctoral program, “Innovation in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of epidemic-pandemic-risk infections,” at the University of Siena. My research is focused on identifying novel antimicrobial compounds from natural sources and mitigating the development of antibiotic resistance. Holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Siena and a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.
Bianca Roncaglia
PhD student
Bianca graduated in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Firenze and got a professional master in bioinformatics. She is studying alkaptonuria focusing on identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets using bioinformatics techniques to handle the limited and heterogeneous data typical of rare diseases
Collins Nyaberi Nyong’a
PhD student
Collins holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena. His doctoral research focuses on the molecular pathophysiology of inborn errors of metabolism, with a specific emphasis on Alkaptonuria. He is investigating the role of lysosomes in the progression of this rare genetic condition. Alongside this, Collins is actively involved in drug discovery, exploring novel bioactive compounds derived from plant extracts as potential therapeutic agents for Alkaptonuria-related arthropathies.
Ghaith Jabbour
PhD student
A Ph.D. candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena, holding a master’s degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (cum laude) from UniSi and a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Tishreen University, Syria. My research focuses on bioactive compounds from natural sources and the valorization of biomass waste, emphasizing life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysis to optimize their potential applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries while minimizing ecological footprints.
Rebecca Finetti
PhD student
Rebecca is a PhD student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena. Her research project focuses on alkaptonuria (AKU), an ultra-rare inborn error of metabolism. She is currently exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence and computational approaches to effectively analyze the limited and heterogeneous datasets characteristic of rare diseases, aiming to overcome the significant challenges posed by data scarcity in AKU research.
Ahmed Ben Youssef
PhD student
Originally from Tunis, holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies from the University of Siena and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Monastir in Tunisia. PhD student in Innovation in the Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Infections at Epidemic-Pandemic Risk, with a research focus titled “Nature-based Modulation of Microbiota Activity in an In-Vitro Model.” dedicated to identifying and developing new, more effective symbiotics to support gut health and enhance microbiota resilience through nature-based, sustainable approaches.