Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Two National Awards for two PhD Candidates from the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences

Two prestigious awards recognising the high quality of their respective research activities in the field of chemical sciences have been received by Dr Chiara Cavazzoli, a PhD candidate in the Models and Methods for Material and Environmental Sciences (M3ES) doctoral programme with a PNRR scholarship (DM 118), and Dr Chiara Grassi, a PhD candidate in the Health Innovative Products and Technologies (HIP-TECH) doctoral programme – Innovative technologies and products for health – with a PNRR scholarship (DM 630), carried out in joint supervision with the company Barchemicals. Both researchers are members of the Chemistry for Health (C4H) research group within the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences (DSCG) at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore).

Chiara Cavazzoli was awarded second place for the Best Flash Presentation at the 24th Emilia-Romagna Chemistry Day 2025, held in Ferrara on 18 December 2025. The awarded research, conducted under the supervision of Professor Gigliola Lusvardi, the candidate’s tutor, focuses on the development of mesoporous bioactive glasses loaded with therapeutic ions and drugs, designed as multifunctional materials for next-generation therapies.

“I am extremely pleased with the work carried out by Chiara,” comments Professor Gigliola Lusvardi. “This award is a source of great satisfaction for the entire C4H research group and highlights the decades-long contribution of the Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences to the development of biocompatible materials capable of integrating with the human body while simultaneously exerting a therapeutic effect.”

Chiara Grassi, on the other hand, received the Best Flash Presentation award at the Merck Young Chemists’ Symposium (MYCS) 2025, held in Rimini from 1 to 3 December 2025. The awarded work, coordinated by Professor Alfonso Zambon and Dr Corrado Barani, concerns the development of eco-sustainable systems for water purification through the synergistic use of nanomaterials and secondary raw materials.

“This recognition demonstrates the competitiveness of our young researchers at a national level,” comments Professor Alfonso Zambon, “and at the same time highlights the ability of Unimore’s chemical sciences community to engage with the local area in developing sustainable solutions to fundamental needs in the context of climate change.”

The awards received confirm the scientific value of the research activities carried out within the University’s doctoral programmes and testify to the commitment of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia to the training of highly qualified young researchers in fields of significant scientific and applied interest.

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