| Nanocellulose: chemistry and advanced materials applications |
Prof. Alessandra Operamolla, University of Pisa
This advanced course explores recent discoveries on the fundamental and practical properties of cellulose-derived nanoparticles. Cellulose is a renewable resource and the most abundant polymer on Earth. With rapid progress in the field and growing interest from both scientific and industrial sectors, the course gives the perspective of the organic chemist on the development of new materials from nanocellulose, with an eye to applications in materials science and bioelectronics. The teacher is a pioneer in the field, among the first to apply cellulose nanoparticles—such as cellulose nanocrystals and microfibrils to bioelectronic devices, and an expert in chemical manipulation of nanocellulose. The course offers a comprehensive introduction to cellulose and core techniques, followed by examples on the unique properties and diverse applications of nanocellulose.
Provisional period:
9/12: Aula 21, 14:30-17:30
11/12: Aula 21, 14:30-17:30
12/12: Aula 21, 14:30-16:30
| Talking Science for PhDs: how to improve your presentation skills in and out of the lab |
Dr. Marco Carlotti, Researcher, University of Pisa
Mail:
Communicating your research (or anything else in the world of science and beyond) is of paramount importance nowdays, especially for young researchers, whether they decide to pursue a career in academia or industry. A good presentation, at a conference as much as at a job interview, can be an amazing tool to make good and lasting impressions on your peers. During their formation, however, not many students (and PhD students) actively engage in activities devoted to improving their communication skills. Preparing and practicing presentations often can help, especially in making one feel at ease when talking in front of an audience, but rarely one has the occasion to study and incorporate style elements from the world of storytelling and theater that can really make a difference when delivering a message.
In this course, we will discuss together how to improve the effectiveness of several form of communication common in the scientific world. We will do this by analyzing different storytelling elements and styles, understanding how they work and how you can implement them to develop the most suitable presentation style for yourself.
Provisional period:
13/01/2026: Aula C/033, 14:30-17:30
15/01/2026: Aula C/033, 14:30-16:00
20/01/2026: Aula C/033, 14:30-17:30
22/01/2026: Aula C/033, 14:30-16:30
| In situ and operando application of vibrational and electronic spectroscopies |
Dr. Matteo Signorile, Researcher, University of Turin
Mail:
The use of in situ and operando spectroscopic techniques is steadily increasing, owing to their ability to probe the structural and electronic properties of materials under realistic working conditions. This class will provide an overview of key vibrational (e.g. IR, Raman) and electronic (e.g. UV-Vis, XAS) spectroscopies, emphasizing their capabilities in capturing dynamic processes in catalysis, energy storage, and materials science; we will explore the fundamental principles, instrumentation, and data interpretation strategies. Through selected literature examples, the class will highlight how these techniques contribute to mechanistic understanding and real-time monitoring of chemical transformations in both model and realistic systems.
Provisional period:
10/02/2026: Aula H/20, 15:00-17:00
11/02/2026: Aula H/20, 9:30-12:30 e 14:30-17:30
12/02/2026: Aula H/20, 9:00-11:00
| Molecular Dynamics Approaches for Exploring Supramolecular Systems: Theory and Applications |
Dr. Laura Milena Pedraza Gonzalez, Researcher, University of Pisa
Mail:
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, with a focus on their application to supramolecular systems. Aimed at PhD students across all areas of chemistry, the program covers the fundamentals of classical MD (including force fields, thermostats, and simulation setup) alongside trajectory analysis, comparison with experimental observables, and assessment of reproducibility of results. The course will also introduce enhanced sampling methods, developed to estimate free energies and overcome the time and length scale limitations of classical MD. Case studies will highlight the versatility of MD across different chemical disciplines.
Provisional period:
03/03/2026: Aula C/033, 9:00-11:00
05/03/2026: Aula C/033, 9:00-11:00
10/03/2026: Aula C/033, 9:00-11:00
12/03/2026: Aula C/033, 9:00-11:00
| Recent developments in 17O/18O isotopic labeling & applications in analytical sciences |
Dr. Danielle Laurencin, CNRS Researcher, Institut Charles Gerhardt in Montpellier (France)
Mail:
Oxygen is the most abundant element at the surface of our planet, where it is found in both living organisms and inert matter. In Chemistry, it is a key element, which is capable to bind to all the other atoms of the periodic table, through different types of bonds (e.g. covalent, ionic, coordination, hydrogen or even halogen bonds). In order to study in detail the nature and reactivity of these bonds, advanced analytical tools like mass spectrometry or NMR are needed. Yet, these rely on the stable isotopes of oxygen, 17O and 18O, both of which have low natural abundances (0.04% and 0.2%, respectively).
The purpose of this series of lectures will be:
(i) to provide insight into the recent progress made in 17O/18O isotopic labeling, using advanced synthetic approaches (e.g. mechanochemistry);
(ii) to show how thanks to these innovative labeling schemes, it is now possible to push forward the study of oxygen bonding environments in molecules and materials using advanced analytical tools, especially 17O solid-state NMR spectroscopy;
(iii) to illustrate how these synthetic and spectroscopic developments open new perspectives in the investigations of materials being developed for applications in healthcare (eg bone-repair) or environmental sciences (eg carbon-capture).
Provisional period:
16/03/2026: Aula 20, 9,30-11,30 e 14,30-16,30
17/03/2026: Aula 20, 9,30-11,30 e 14,30-16,30
18/03/2026: Aula 20, 9,30-11,30 e 14,30-16,30
| Bioconjugates: from synthesis to applications |
Dr. Lorenzo Arrico, Researcher, University of Pisa
Mail:
Bioconjugation refers to the formation of a covalent bond between two (or more) molecules, where at least one of which is a biomolecule. The resulting complex is known as a bioconjugate, which generally combines the properties of the individual entities. The ability to produce bioconjugates with finely engineered functions has been exploited in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics, making them valuable assets in several industries. The course aims to provide students with an overview of the synthesis, purification, characterization, and applications of various classes of bioconjugates. After reviewing the basic structures, chemical functionalities, and reactivities of biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, oligosaccharides, and oligonucleotides, we will discuss the most commonly used bioconjugation techniques. We will also explore recent advances in site-specific biomolecule modification, with a particular focus on bio-orthogonal approaches. The final part of the course will be dedicated to the applications of bioconjugates in both traditional fields (biology, medicine, and imaging) and emerging ones, such as materials science, where bioconjugates are used in 3D printing and tissue engineering.
Provisional period: April 2026
| Advanced polymerization techniques for soft materials with diverse high-demanding applications |
Dr. Elisa Guazzelli, Researcher, University of Pisa
Mail:
The course provides an overview of modern polymerization methods that enable the design of advanced polymeric materials with precise architecture and tailored properties. The focus will be on controlled/living radical polymerization techniques, including Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP), Reversible Addition–Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT), and Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization (NMP), alongside other strategies including polymerization induced self-assembly, click chemistry, photopolymerization and enzyme-catalyzed polymerization. Case studies will illustrate how these polymerization approaches allow the preparation of engineered soft materials with diverse high-demanding applications such as biomedicine, energy, and functional coatings.
Provisional period:
27/05/2026, 14:30-17:30 - Aula C/033
28/05/2026, 14:30-17:30 - Aula C/033
29/05/2026, 14:30-16:30 - Aula C/033
| Communicating and disseminating research results: organization of a scientific event |
Prof. Elisa Martinelli, Prof. Fabio Di Francesco, University of Pisa
Mail:
A laboratory-practical course aiming at providing students with the knowledge and experience necessary for the organization of an international scientific dissemination event. The course will be followed by the allocation of practical tasks: the involved students will live the experience of taking part in the scientific committee of an international scientific conference. Students will be guided by the teachers in all stages of the organization process, and they will have the opportunity to test their acquired skills. Divided into groups, they will be engaged in the following steps: - determining the theme and scope of the conference;
- establishing a timeline outlining the key milestones and deliverables in the conference planning process;
- developing a realistic and feasible budget plan, and raising funds;
- choosing a suitable venue, taking into account capacity, accessibility and cost, and ensuring that the venue is equipped with the necessary facilities, and catering services;
- individuating and inviting plenary and keynote speakers to be involved in the conference, and ensuring that and that their travel and lodging expenses are covered;
- defining a detailed program of events, session titles, and speaker names, ensuring that it is in alinement with the DSCM themes and objectives, and with gender balance, and provides opportunities for networking and discussion;
- spreading the event through various channels, ensuring that the conference website is constantly up-to-date and provides all the necessary information;
- managing the logistics aspects;
- leading the conference according to the established program and timeline, facilitating networking opportunities and a positive experience for the participants;
- follow up with participants after the conference to obtain feedback, evaluate the strengths of the event, and understand aspect which could be improved with a view to other future events.
| Corsi organizzati dall'Ateneo |
- English for Research Publication and Presentation Purposes for PhD Students
- Attività didattiche trasversali per i dottorandi offerti dall’Università di Pisa 2024/2025
- Corsi di Inglese Accademico erogati dal CLI
| Corsi organizzati da altre scuole di Dottorato dell’Ateneo e di Altri Atenei Pisani |
- Offerta didattica organizzata dal dottorato in Fisica, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pisa
- Offerta didattica organizzata dal dottorato in Biologia, Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa
- Offerta didattica organizzata dal dottorato in Scienza del Farmaco e delle Sostanze Bioattive, Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Pisa
- Offerta didattica organizzata dal dottorato in Ingegneria Industriale, Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Pisa
- Offerta didattica organizzata dal Perfezionamento in Chimica presso la Scuola Normale Superiore
| Archivio anni precedenti |
