Valentina OLIVERI
Valentina Oliveri obtained her degree in Biomolecular Chemistry and her Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences with honors from the University of Catania. In 2017, she received the National Scientific Qualification as an associate professor for the competitive sector 03/B1 (General and Inorganic Chemistry, Chem-03/A). She served as a fixed-term researcher RTDa (2018-2021) and RTDb (2021-2024) at the Department of Chemical Sciences. As of October 2024, she is an associate professor in the same department.
Valentina Oliveri is responsible, for the University of Catania, for the PRIN PNRR 3DVOCE projects and the PRIN 2022 NESTOR project, and is involved in other national and international projects as part of a research unit.
As a bio-inorganic and supramolecular chemist, she has explored the chemistry and exploited the properties of various metal centers, particularly Cu, Zn, and Fe, also in supramolecular networks.
Her research interests focus on designing and developing new systems for targeted oncotherapy and neurodegenerative disorders. Her work has been recognized with several fellowships and awards, including the Italfarmaco-De Santis Award for research in the field of glycoconjugates with biological activity.
Academic Position
Sector: 03/B1, Fundamentals of Chemical Sciences and inorganic systems
Position: Assistant Professor (fix-termed researcher, RTDb)
Qualification as Associate Professor in General and Inorganic Chemistry (SSD CHIM/03 - SC 03/B1)
Qualification as Associate Professor in Fundamentals of Chemical Technologies (SSD CHIM/07 - SC 03/B2)
Institution: University of Catania
Department: Chemical Sciences
Scientific and professional experience
From 1/10/2024 Associate Professor in General and Inorganic Chemistry (SSD CHEM-03/A - SC 03/B1), Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
1/10/2021-30/09/2024 Type B fixed-term researcher (Assistant Professor) in General and Inorganic Chemistry (SSD CHIM/03 - SC 03/B1), Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
06/2018- 09/2021 Type A fixed-term researcher (Assistant Professor) in General and Inorganic Chemistry (SSD CHIM/03 - SC 03/B1), Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
07/2017-05/2018 Postdoctoral fellowship, ERC PE5 (CHIM/03), Project Title: “Toward the Discovery of Effective Glycoconjugated Inhibitors of self- and copper-induced α-Synuclein Amyloid Assembly”, Supervisor: Prof. R. Bonomo, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
05/2017-06/2017 Research grant, Supervisor: Prof. G. Vecchio, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
03/2015-03/2017 Researcher (Co.co. Pro.), Interuniversity Consortium for Research in the Chemistry of Metal Ions in Biological Systems, Supervisor: Prof. G. Natile
03/2014-02/2015 Postdoctoral fellowship, ERC PE5 (CHIM/03), Project Title: “Synthesis and characterization of new glycoconjugates with anticancer activity,” Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
01/2014-02/2014 Research fellow, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
05/2012- 07/2012 PhD Visiting Student, School of Life Sciences (University of Sussex, UK)
03/2012 PhD Visiting Student, Laboratory of Environmental and Biological Structural Chemistry, University of Bologna
12/2010-01/2011 Research fellow, Prof. E. Rizzarelli, Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
2018–present Member of the Board of the Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania
Education
2014 Ph.D. (cum laude) in Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Thesis: New glycoconjugates for the treatment of diseases related to metal dyshomeostasis, Tutor: Prof. G. Vecchio
2010 Master Degree (summa cum laude) in Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Catania, Thesis: Novel Artificial SODs: covalent and non-covalent conjugation of manganese complexes with biomolecules
2007 Bachelor Degree (summa cum laude) in Chemistry, University of Catania, Thesis: Analisi di polimorfismi di singolo nucleotide (SNPs) nel gene per l’enzima steroide-5-alfa-reduttasi 1A (SRD5A1)
SCIENTIFIC INTEREST
Main topics:
• Copper and Zinc ionophores with anticancer and antimicrobial activity
• Cuproptosis
• Selective targeting of cancer cells by metal-based agents
• Metal complexes as anticancer and antioxidant agents
• Dyshomeostasis of metal ions in cancer and anti neurodegenerative disorders
• Interaction of metal ligands and metal complexes with proteins
• Design, synthesis, and characterization of glycoconjugates with biological activity
•Design, synthesis, and characterization of cyclodextrin derivatives for drug delivery
PUBLICATION ACTIVITY
Total number of papers with IF: 50+ (Scopus)
Book chapters: 2 (Elsevier);
Cover pages: 4 (Chemistry, A European Journal, Dalton Transactions, ChemMedChem, Anal and Bioanal Chem)
Number of citations: 1380+ (Scopus)
H- (Hirsch) index: 23 (Scopus)
Over 60 contributions at National and International congresses
- ORCID: 0000-0001-7603-4790
- CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System: link
Academic Year 2021/2022
- DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL, GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bachelor's Degree in Geological Sciences - 1st Year
CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORANICA ELEMENTI CHIMICA ORANICA
Academic Year 2020/2021
- DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL, GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bachelor's Degree in Geological Sciences - 1st Year
CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORANICA ELEMENTI CHIMICA ORANICA - DEPARTMENT OF BIOMEDICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology - 1st Year
CHIMICA GENERALE INORGANICA E ORGANICA M - Z
Academic Year 2019/2020
- DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL, GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bachelor's Degree in Geological Sciences - 1st Year
CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORANICA ELEMENTI CHIMICA ORANICA
Academic Year 2018/2019
- DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL, GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Bachelor's Degree in Geological Sciences - 1st Year
CHIMICA GENERALE ED INORGANICA ELEMENTI CHIMICA ORGANICA
Academic Year 2017/2018
- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT
Bachelor's Degree in Food Science and Technology - 1st Year
CHEMISTRY