Education

PhD Chemistry, University of Cagliari 1992. Thesis Title: Synthesis of polyfunctionalized benzenes by means of lithiation reactions.

Qualification for the practice as chemist 1988.

Master’s Degree, Chemistry (110/110 cum laude) 1987 Thesis Title: Studies, and applications of metalation reactions on (alkylthio)benzenes.

Academic Career

Assistant professor, University of Cagliari, Organic Chemistry, 1990-present.

Member of Joint Teaching Board (2014-present).

Member of the board for the final evaluation of the PhD candidates for the “Chemical Sciences and Technologies” program (2012 and 2014).

Research Interests

Her studies focused on metallation reactions on aromatic derivatives, discovering new one-pot methods to functionalize aromatic ethers, thioethers and sulfones. The lithiation of these substrates allowed for the development of new one-pot synthesis of sulfur benzocondensed heterocycles. Further studies regarded the ionic addition on allenic esters affording benzodioxoles and benzodithioles. Radical additions on the same substrates was studied by EPR to determine the structure of the intermediate radicals. Other studies allowed the regio- and stereoselective functionalization of sulfur heterocycles as the 1,3-benzoxathiole-1-oxide, the 2,3-dihydro-1-benzothiophene-1-oxide and 1,1-dioxide, and the regioselective functionalization of thiophenes. Another topic was the organocatalyst mediated asymmetric synthesis. At present her main research interest is the metabolomic analysis of biofluids by GC-MS in medicine, and the synthesis of metabolites to improve GC-MS libraries.

Author of two book chapters and more than 50 publications on international journals.

Referee for international journals on synthetic organic chemistry and GC-MS spectroscopy.

Scientific collaborations

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Puericulture Institute and Neonatal Section, Department of Surgical Sciences, AOU, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Department Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinic, AOU, University of Cagliari, Italy.

Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.

Laboratory Medicine Service, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, University-Hospital, Genoa, Italy.

Pediatric Division, University of Bari, Italy.

Neonatal Intensive Care, Neonatology, ASO S. Croce e Carle, Cuneo, Italy.

Meyer Childrens Hospital, Fetal Neonatal Dept, University of Florence, Italy.

Hospital Luigi Sacco, Dept Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Milan, Italy.

Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dept Clinical Science & Community Health, Foudation IRCCS Ca Granda, University of Milan, Italy.

EURISTIKOS Excellence Centre for Paediatric Research, Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.

Teaching

“Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II”, Chemistry Bachelor’s Programme (2003 to present).

“Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I”, Chemistry Bachelor’s Programme (2007 to 2010).

“Chemistry of natural organic substances”, Chemistry Master’s Programme (2001 to 2005).

“Applied Organic Chemistry”, Chemistry Master’s Programme (1997 to 2005).

Supervisor for Bachelor, Master, and PhD students (Chemistry).