Ph.D. Students
Contacts: chiara.vigato@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Education
I obtained my Master’s Degree with “summa cum laude and honourable mention” in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in April 2020. My master’s thesis project was focused on the application of a bioisosteric approach in the design of innovative inhibitors of Aldo-Keto Reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) to target prostate cancer. In November 2021, I was awarded the Silver Medal of the University of Torino as one of the best graduate students and best Master’s Thesis of the academic year 2018/2019. In July 2020 I achieved the qualification for the profession of pharmacist and in October 2020 I started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino), during which I am primarily focusing on the design and synthesis of new inhibitors of human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase (hDHODH) inhibitors for the induction of differentiation and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia.
Research at MedSynth
I have been working in the MedSynth group at the Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology since my traineeship for my experimental master’s thesis and both on that occasion and during my Ph.D., the projects in which I am involved are focused on the study of acidic hydroxyazole systems as bioisosteres of carboxylic acid function. During my Ph.D., I spent a 4-months period (November 2021 – March 2022) as visiting research scientist at the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Analytical Instrumentation Unity, at the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri (Milano) to develop new methods for the detection of hDHODH inhibitors metabolites after microsomal incubation and for the chromatography quantitation of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis metabolites. Moreover, I performed a 3-months period (March 2022 – June 2022) of international exchange at the Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, at the University of Lublin (Poland). There, my work focused on developing new dual inhibitors of AKR1C3 and CYP17A1 to target prostate cancer.
University activity
Currently, I have also the role of assistant to the didactic activity for the course of "Exercitation of Food Chemistry and Phytopharmacy" for the Bachelor Degree program of Herbal Products (20 h). From March 2022, I am one of the Ph.D. Student representatives at the Board of the Department of Drug Sciences and Technologies. Thanks to my experiences I carried out 8 posters, 3 flash communications and 1 divulgation article about my research addressed to primary-school students.
Contacts: e.martino@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Education
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Turin in July 2015. Due to my interest In MedChem field, I decided to continue my education with a Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Turin (April 2020). In October 2020 I started a Double degree between the University of Turin (Tutor Marco Lolli) and the University of Copenhagen (Tutor Bente Frølund).
Research at MedSynth
During my Master Thesis, I worked on the synthesis of new imaging PET probes to target hDHODH enzyme. I continued my studies in imaging during my PhD, in which I focus my attention on designing new fluorescent probes to target hDHODH and GABAa receptor. Furthermore, during these years, I studies and apply different bioisosteric tools to improve the pharmacodynamic and kinetic profile of target compounds. Since my PhD is a double degree, I spent half of my PhD in Copenhagen in where I improve my skills in organic synthesis, purification process and data analysis.
University activity
Currently, I have the role of assistant in the didactic activity of “Laboratory of Phytopharmacy and Analysis of Vegetal active compound” for the bachelor’s degree program of Herbal products (80 h). Furthermore, I carried out 7 poster, 2 flash communications and 1 oral presentation.
Contacts: iole.mannella@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Education
I am graduated in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at Department of Drug Science and Technology of University of Torino, in April 2021.
Following, I obtained a research fellowship during which I collaborated with the MedSynth research group at the University of Turin.
After some months, I started the PhD course in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Sciences (January 2022). During these years I have developed skills in drug design and synthesis, several characterization methods and in vitro biological assays.
Research at MedSynth
Since my first experience in this field, I was involved in different projects regarding the synthesis, purification and characterization of small molecules, in particular new molecular entities characterized by the presence of hydroxylated pentatomic heterocyclic scaffold. Specifically during my master thesis I worked on the synthesis of new potent and selective AKR1C3 inhibitors, active against prostate cancer cellular models; after my Master graduation, I spent 3 months at the Medical University of Lublin being involved in a project focussed on the development of dual inhibitors of AKR1C3 and CYP17A1 to target prostate cancer. My Ph.D project is focused on the development of greener alternatives to existing manufacturing methods for the synthesis, purification and analysis of MEDS433, the lead drug candidate of MedSynth Group, a hDHODH inhibitor active as anti-leukemic and anti-viral agent.
University activity
Thanks to these experiences I carried out 3 posters session and 1 divulgation article about my research addressed to secondary-school students.
Contacts: noemi.villella@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Education
I obtained my master’s degree in Pharmacy at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in May 2013, and, after 4 years practicing the Pharmacist profession, I decided to resume my studies to pursue a research career. Therefore, I graduated in June 2020 in Drug Chemistry and Technology with a Master's Thesis focussed on the design, synthesis and co-crystallisation of new Plasmodium falciparum DHODH inhibitors based on the hydroxypyrazole scaffold. Thanks to my last Thesis experience, partly carried out abroad at the University of Gothenburg, I have acquired skills in drug synthesis, protein handling and crystallography. I spent two year working as research fellow in MedSynth group, and in November 2022, I started a Ph.D. program in Biomolecular and Pharmaceutical Sciences (XXXVIII cycle).
Research at MedSynth
In MedSynth group at the Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, I have studied acidic hydroxyazole systems as bioisosteres of carboxylic acid function. During my Master's Thesis, I spent 6 months (April 2019 – September 2019) at the University of Gothenburg to study and perform the crystallography of Plasmodium falciparum DHODH inhibitors within the enzyme itself. The project of my Ph.D. is mainly focussed on the optimization of MedSynth lead hDHODH inhibitor MEDS433 in terms of physical-chemical properties and technological development.
University activity
Between March and May 2021, I covered the role of assistant to teaching for 20 hours within the project “Liceo Curie” during the “Cicli di esercitazioni di collaborazione a supporto della didattica" according to art. 76 of the University Statute. Thanks to my experience I carried out 8 posters and 2 flash communications.