Ph.D. Students
Contacts: noemi.villella@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Noemi Villella is a PhD Student in Medicinal Chemistry (SSD: CHEM-07/A) at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy).
Research interests and expertise: Noemi’s research is dedicated to the design and advanced organic synthesis of small heterocyclic-based molecules, targeting oncological diseases, Malaria and neuropathic pain. Furthermore, the experience gained by Noemi in recent years has led her to delve into the field of protein purification and the execution of biochemical tests for in vitro profiling of molecules of interest.
Background and education. Noemi obtained a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in May 2014, with a Thesis focused on compliance with oral anticancer therapy by patients with renal cell carcinoma. Later on, in June 2020, Noemi obtained her second Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology) with a Thesis focused on the design, synthesis and co-crystallization of new inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase based on the hydroxypyrazole scaffold. From September 2020 to October 2022, she worked as postgraduate fellow at the MeDSynth research group (University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology), focusing on different projects concerning the design, synthesis and characterization of small molecules based on the hydroxyazole core. In November 2022 she started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino), still ongoing.
Visiting research activities. During her Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology, Noemi spent 5 months (May 2019 – September 2019) at the CARe Research Centre, University of Gothenburg (Sweden) focusing her work on the overexpression and purification of PfDHODH, aiming to obtain a complex of the purified enzyme with its inhibitor (supervisor Prof. Rosmarie Friemann). During her Ph.D., Noemi was involved in a 6-months international exchange (February 2024 – July 2024) at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, University of Barcelona (Spain), focusing on the design, synthesis and physiochemical profiling of novel inhibitors of the soluble epoxide hydrolase for the treatment of neuropathic pain (supervisor Prof. Santiago Vázquez).
Publications (July 2024, Scopus).
Oral presentation: 1
Flash communications: 2
Posters: 8
Teaching activities. Noemi covered the role of assistant to the teaching activities of different DSTF courses.
In particular:
· 2023-2024 "Preparation of products of vegetal origin" (80 h) - Bachelor’s degree program of Herbal Products – UniTo
· 2020-2021 “The path that leads to the discovery of a drug” (20 h) – Orientation course aimed at High School’s students – DSTF - UniTO
Department roles.
· Jan 2023 – to date Member of DSTF Public Engagement communication sub-commission (social media campaign of the Department).
· Mar 2023-Mar 2024 Ph.D. students’ representative at DSTF.
Contacts: Federico.fornaseri@unito.it
+39 011 6707184
Federico Fornaseri is a third year Ph.D student in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Sciences (SSD: CHEM-07/A) at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy)
Research interests and expertise: Federico’s research focus on the determination of chemical-physical proprieties,
ADME and metabolism studies, and in vitro activity of new possible drug candidates for the treatment of oncological
diseases and Malaria.
Background and education. Federico obtained a Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology, in October 2023, with a Thesis titled “Possible hDHODH and AKR1C3 multi-target inhibitors: a new strategy for anticancer therapy” (Supervisor Dott.ssa Giorgis). In November 2023, he started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino), focus on the optimisation of the development of drug candidates with antitumor and anti-infective activity in preparation for certified preclinical trials.
Public Engagement activities.
• 03.04.2024 – to date: “SALTO - Salute senza confine”
• 26.09.2025 “UNIGHT – Notte europea dei ricercatori”
• 06.10.2025 – 19.10.2025 “La Strada delle Scoperte”
• 14.03.2024: “Pi greco Day”
• 29.09.2023: “UNIGHT – Notte europea dei ricercatori”
Publications (Jan 2026, Scopus)
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: 2
Scopus citations: 5
Posters: 3
Scopus ID: 59440318000
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0132-0274
Contacts: rebecca.grano@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Rebecca Grano is a PhD Student in Medicinal Chemistry (SSD: CHEM-07/A) at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy).
Research interests and expertise: Rebecca’s research is dedicated to the design and advanced organic synthesis of small molecules aimed at inhibiting angiogenesis in tumors that exhibit primary resistance to anti-VEGF compounds. In addition, Rebecca is also involved in the design, synthesis, and physicochemical characterization of novel fluorescent and chelating ligands. She is also working on neuropathic pain, specifically on Soluble Epoxide inhibitors.
Background and education. Rebecca obtained a Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology (University of Torino, Department of Drug Science and Technology) in July 2024, with a Thesis focused on Isosteric modulation of amide moiety in MEDS433 in the design of hDHODH inhibitors. In November 2024 she started a Ph.D. program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Science, at the Department of Drug Science and Technology (University of Torino), still ongoing.
Visiting research activities. Between September and November 2024, she took part in an Erasmus+ Traineeship at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen. During this period, she focused on the design, synthesis, and physicochemical characterization of novel fluorescent ligands, developed from known receptor ligand structures using a fluorostere approach. She is currently working with Professor Dr. Santi Vázquez at the University of Barcelona, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, on the design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and physicochemical characterization of new 4,5-disubstituted sEH inhibitors based on the hydroxyazole scaffold.
Pubblications.
Posters: 3
Teachig activities. Rebecca covered the role of assistant to the teaching activities of different DSTF courses.
In particular:
- Drug Synthesis. Supervisor D. Boschi Associate professor – (56) hours
- Laboratory of Process Intensification Technologies in Advanced Organic Svnthesis. Supervisor K. Martina, Associate professor – (40) hours
- Laboratory of Advanced Pharmaceutical Synthesis. Supervisor A.C.Pippione Associate professor – (24) hours
Contacts: oguzhan.aker@unito.it
+39 011 6707184
Oguzhan Aker is a first years Ph.D student in Medicinal Chemistry (SSD: CHEM-07/A) at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy)
Research interests and expertise: Oğuzhan’s research is focused on experimental medicinal chemistry, with particular emphasis on the design and organic synthesis of small molecules targeting Pin1. His work is mainly devoted to the development and chemical optimization of bioactive compounds against aggressive tumors, combining advanced synthetic strategies with structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies.
Background and education. Oğuzhan obtained a Single-Cycle Master’s Degree in Pharmacy from Ankara University (Turkey), with a Master’s Thesis entitled “Synthesis of Some 2-Amino Pyrimidine Derivatives”. His academic background provided him with solid training in medicinal chemistry, heterocyclic synthesis, and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Visiting research activity. During his academic training, Oğuzhan participated in the Erasmus+ Mobility Program at the Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples “Federico II” (Italy). He also subsequently carried out an Erasmus+ Research Internship at the same institution, gaining hands-on experience in research.
Pubblications.
Posters: 1
Research Fellow
Contacts: margherita.cottafavi@edu.unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Margherita Cottafavi is a Research Fellow in Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy).
Research interests and expertise: Margherita is currently attending the MEDSynth laboratory, where she is primarily focusing on the synthesis and characterization of enzyme inhibitors. During her academic career, she carried out an Erasmus traineeship at the University of Barcelona (Spain), participating in a project aimed to the synthesis and characterization of new compounds with potential biological interest against the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) enzyme. Margherita's technical expertise includes planning and executing complex organic syntheses, purification techniques (column chromatography, crystallization), and structural characterization through NMR and Mass Spectrometry (MS)
Background and Education: Margherita obtained her Master’s Degree in Medicinal Chemistry in 2025, graduating with summa cum laude at the University of Turin, department of Chemistry (LM-54). Her thesis project in MedSynth group was focused on the application of a bioisosteric approach in the design new inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) to target peripheral pain. Previously, in 2022, she earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Chemical Technologies at the same university, with a thesis focused on the electronic and geometric structure of Fe-EME in cytochrome P450.