CURRENT POSITION: Associate Professor (Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari.

- From 2002 to 2020: Assistant Professor (Biochemistry – SSD BIO/10(Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari).

- 2001, Ph.D. degree in “Comparative Biochemistry of ecosystems” University of Sassari – Italy

- 1994 master degree in Biological Science – University of Cagliari – Italy.

From 2019 PhD board member in the PhD school “Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences, Biomedical curriculum”, University of Cagliari.

From 2008 to 2013: PhD board member in the PhD school “Biology and Biochemistry of the Human and Environment”, University of Cagliari.

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY

Her research activity is mainly focused on preparation and characterization of plant extracts, and biological activities of plant extracts and synthetic compounds. Her interests are particularly in antioxidant activity and research of inhibitors of enzymes (amylase and glucosidase, tyrosinase, xanthine oxidase, cholinesterases, monoaminoxidase) that play a key role in various pathological diseases.

Analysis of biological fluid of fibromialgic patients in order to identify any possible biomarker for this disease (2013-2018).

She has carried out a comparative study of the structural and functional properties of respiratory proteins of invertebrates and vertebrates, human hemoglobin included. She has focused her attention on the study of natural human hemoglobin variants and the structural-functional relationships strictly correlated to the identification of the insurgence of possible pathologies. She has also carried out a study on the characterisation of myoglobin hydrophobic cavities through the use of NMR spectroscopy of the Xenon129 (2002-2012).

Author or co-author of about 62 papers on international journals.

FINANCED GRANTS

- From 2021 – till date now: component of the research project entitled "Sardinian plants as potential sources of antidiabetic drugs" (Foundation of Sardinia).

-2018-2020: component of the research project entitled "Discovery, design and development of STING agonists as immune modulators with antiviral and anticancer activities" (Foundation of Sardinia).

-2017-2018: Holder of Teaching Award granted by the University of Cagliari to support Researchers engaged in Institutional activities.

-2017: Head of the Fund for the financing of basic research activities (FFABR), assigned by ANVUR on the basis of scientific production.

-2016-2019: Holder of the Integrative Research Fund (FIR) for local Scientific Research Projects, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, awarded on the basis of scientific production by the University of Cagliari.

-2015: Holder of Teaching Award granted by the University of Cagliari to support Researchers engaged in institutional activities.

-2010-2014: Principal Investigator of the study relating to the analysis of biological fluids from patients suffering from Fibromyalgia and of the study of enzymatic inhibitors, funded by University Contribution for Research (CAR) (Formerly 60%) for local Scientific Research Projects, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. Funds awarded on the basis of scientific production by the University of Cagliari.

-2010: Component in the research project entitled "Proteomic study for the search of predictive and diagnostic markers in Fibromyalgia Syndrome" (Fundamental or Basic Research Projects, Regional Law 7 August 2007)

-2009: Responsible of the project entitled: “Analysis by means of different methodologies of biological fluids from patients with fibromialgia” by Local Scientific Research Projects, University of Cagliari.

-2009: Participant in the project entitled "Biochemical and Biophysical methodologies for the identification and diagnosis of hereditary defects in sardinia of the metabolism of purines and pyrimidins" (Banco di Sardegna Foundation 2009).

-2008: component of the project entitled "Innovative processes and methodologies oriented to the preparation of bioactive heterocyclic systems" (Fundamental or Basic Research Projects - Regional Law 7)

-2007: participant in the research project entitled "Development of methods for the identification and diagnosis of hereditary defects in the metabolism of purines and pyrimidins". (Local Scientific Research Projects, University of Cagliari, 2007

-2007: Member of the research project funded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) within the Scientific Research Programs of Relevant National Interest (PRIN), entitled "Functional characterization of the human myoblobin isoforms".

-2006: participant in the research project entitled "New approaches of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of rare genetic diseases in Sardinia" Sub-project: To develop advantageous methods for the study of the metabolism products of purines and pyrimidines. 2006 finalized health research program, funded by the Region of Sardinia.

-2003-2006: participant in the research project entitled "Use of the nuclear magnetic resonance of 129xe as a biomolecular probe for the structural and dynamic characterization of myglobins and other proteins of different origin".

-2003-2005: participant in the research project entitled "New methodologies for the study of structure-function relations of respiratory protein" funded with funds for local Scientific Research Projects, 2003, 2004, 2005. Funds awarded on the basis of scientific production by the University of Studies of Cagliari.

-2002: Participant in the research project funded by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) within the Scientific Research Programs of Relevant National Interest (PRIN), entitled "Comparative study of structural and functional protein proteins respiratory "

AFFILIATION TO SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY

Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIB) and Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS).

TEACHING

- From 2021- till date now: Professor, Biochemistry of Nutrition for the Degree in Food and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, University of Cagliari.

- From 2020: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Toxicological and Quality Control Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, University of Cagliari.

- 2021: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, University of Cagliari.

- From 2018 to 2020: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari.

- From 2004 to 2019: Professor, Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Imaging and Radiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari.

- From 2012 to 2019: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari.

- From 2011 to 2012: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Healthy Assistance, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari.

- From 2004 to 2006 and from 2011 to 2012: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari.

- From 2004 to 2009: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari.

- From 2004 to 2006: Professor, Biochemistry for Bachelor’s Degree in Orthotic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Cagliari.