| Organic Electrosynthesis: from batch discovery to flow processing and scale-up [12h] |
Prof. Kevin Lam, University of Greenwich
This course introduces organic electrosynthesis as a practical method for molecular construction, not only as a greener alternative to stoichiometric redox reagents but also as a platform for new reactivity and process control. The course links synthetic decision-making with electrochemical engineering, so that students can move from a small screening cell to a defensible flow and scale-up plan. In particular, the learning outcomes will be the following ones:
- use current, potential, charge, current density and Faradaic efficiency correctly;
- select cell type, electrode materials, electrolyte, solvent and operating mode rationally;
- analyse direct, mediated, anodic, cathodic and paired electrolysis mechanisms;
- diagnose common failures such as electrode fouling, poor mass transfer and low selectivity;
- translate batch conditions into flow using residence time, flow rate and charge equivalents;
- prepare a scale-up plan built around electrode area, heat, gas handling and long-run stability.
Period: To be defined
| A computational microscope view on organic electronics [10h] |
Prof. David Beljonne, University of Mons
The field of organic electronics has bloomed over the last decades, turning fundamental science into useful technologies such as emissive displays, electronic circuits or photovoltaic cells. During the course, some of efforts devoted to the development of a computational microscope for organic optoelectronic devices in operando will be shown and discussed, with the overarching objective of identifying how chemical structure at the molecular level affects function at the device scale.
Imagine a computational microscope that would resolve motion at length scales down to the nm with a fs time resolution. Watching an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display under such a microscope, you might be able to see electrical charge carriers travelling with some velocity across the multilayer structure of the device, bumping into one another, generating new species or fading away to produce light and heat. These particles move like balls rolling on a soft mattress and carry a unique quantum-mechanical signature known as spin, imposing further constraints on their ultimate fate. How fast do these particles move? What energy landscape do they explore? Which electronic processes do they undergo in the bulk semiconductor or at interfaces? Can we take advantage of spin effects or, at least, reduce their harmful impact on device performance? Most importantly, is it possible to guide the synthetic efforts through the immense chemical space towards molecular or polymer structures and architectures with improved properties? .
Period: To be defined
| Antibody drug conjugates as targeted drug delivery systems: beyond conventional cytotoxic payloads [8] |
Prof. Giuseppina Ivana Truglio, University of Siena
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) represent a rapidly growing class of targeted drug delivery platforms composed of an antibody chemically linked to a highly potent therapeutic compound, referred to as the payload. These systems enable highly selective delivery of drugs to specific tissues, thereby reducing off-target toxicity in healthy cells and potentially improving the overall therapeutic index. With more than 15 ADCs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all exclusively for oncological applications. Although conventional cytotoxic agents remain the most widely used payloads, their application presents notable limitations, including their restriction to cancer therapy and the significant risk associated with unintended payload release in healthy tissues. The application of less cytotoxic molecules targeting specific receptors, enzymes, or signalling pathways in target cells, represents a significant challenge offering promising opportunities to extend ADC applications beyond oncology. In the last 12 years, we have been working on the development of ADCs charged with unconventional payloads, facing different issues related to their design, synthesis, and chemical and biological characterization. The last findings in the field of ADCs development, including linker and bioconjugation chemistry, as well as stability studies, and in vitro and in vivo activities in cancer and beyond, will be presented..
Period: To be defined
| Calorimetry and thermal analysis: basic principles and application in different fields [8h] |
Dr. Chiara Pelosi, University of Pisa
The course aims to provide an understanding of the theoretical basis of calorimetry and thermal analysis, demonstrating the operating principles and advanced uses of instruments such as Differential Scanning Calorimeters (DSC and n-DSC) and nano-calorimeters, thermogravimetric analyzers (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometers or FTIR spectroscopy (TGA-MS and TGA-FTIR), combustion calorimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry. The second part of the course covers applications and practical examples of how these techniques can express their potential in different fields, such as material science (e.g. thermal degradation of new materials, polymer blends), pharmaceuticals (e.g. protein studies, drug-substrate interaction), and green chemistry (e.g. alternative solvents, waste biomass).
Period: To be defined
| Electrochemical tools for understanding Redox behaviour in solution: theory and practice [8h] |
Dr. Giulio Bresciani, University of Pisa
The course introduces electrochemical methods for understanding the redox behaviour of organic and inorganic molecular systems in solution. Both theoretical concepts and experimental approaches are presented in an integrated way, with emphasis on the interpretation of electrochemical data. Cyclic voltammetry is introduced as a central tool to probe redox processes, stability of electro-generated species, and reaction mechanisms. The course also includes an introduction to spectroelectrochemical techniques (UV–Vis, IR, and CD spectroelectrochemistry) applied to both organic and inorganic compounds. Practical aspects of electrochemical experiments are discussed throughout, providing students with the tools needed to design and critically analyse electrochemical studies in modern chemical research.
Period: To be defined
| Exploiting light-matter interaction in solids and nanomaterials: from experiments to material properties [8h] |
Dr. Alessio Gabbani, University of Pisa
Optical spectroscopy is one of the most used techniques by chemists to investigate molecules in solution. However, when dealing with materials at the solid state, peculiar differences in light-matter interaction arise and must be properly considered when attempting to extract reliable material parameters (such as optical band gap of semiconductors) from optical spectroscopy measurements. Indeed, light scattering and reflection significantly modify the optical response of bulk materials, thin films and nanocomposites. When size is reduced to the nanoscale, light confinement further complicates but also enriches light-matter interaction in fascinating ways, affecting reactivity of molecules or enhancing their spectroscopic signal when they are in nano-confined environment. Addressing these peculiarities of solids and nanomaterials would require concepts from optics and solid-state chemistry and physics, which are often not part of standard chemistry curricula. This course aims to fill this gap by adopting an experimental perspective and providing practical guidelines to correctly elaborate and analyze experimental data, finally extracting – when possible - reliable material properties. The concepts introduced and the topics covered will be relevant for PhD students working in different areas: physical chemists working with spectroscopy; inorganic, organic or polymer chemists working with solid-state materials; analytical chemists interested in optical sensors; industrial, organic or inorganic chemists interested in nano-catalysts for photo-catalysis; theoretical chemists interested in comparing calculations with experimental results from optical spectroscopy. Selected case studies will be discussed, elucidating the role of light matter interaction in different applications, and showing how the correct determination of optical properties can guide the selection or design of materials for specific purposes.
Period: To be defined
| Stress management through Mindfulness and Breathing Science [8h] |
Dr. Rebecca Ciacchini, University of Pisa
The doctoral course Stress Management through Mindfulness and Breathing Science introduces the theoretical foundations of the stress response from psychological and neurophysiological perspectives, including autonomic regulation, cognitive appraisal, and attentional processes. The program also presents the core principles of mindfulness and contemplative sciences as evidence-informed approaches to self-regulation. Alongside the theoretical framework, participants will engage in brief guided practices, such as focused attention on breathing, interoceptive awareness, and short grounding exercises, designed to illustrate the mechanisms discussed and to support experiential understanding of stress modulation in academic and clinical contexts.
Period: To be defined
| Communicating and disseminating research results: organization of a scientific event |
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.
Period: To be defined
| 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 |
