I am Italian, originally from Benevento, a city in central-southern Italy. After high school, I moved to Siena to study chemistry at the university, where I lived for about three and a half years. After completing this course of study, I then moved to Bologna to obtain a master’s degree in industrial chemistry, where I lived for two years.
During my studies in chemistry and industrial chemistry, I was particularly fascinated by the intricate processes at the molecular and cellular levels. Electrochemistry, with its ability to probe and manipulate these processes, offered a unique intersection of chemistry and technology. Additionally, the potential of electrochemical techniques to develop innovative diagnostic tools, sensors, and treatments for various medical conditions motivated me to focus my research efforts here. After participating in a project held at my university in collaboration with an Australian university, I became acquainted with the research environment at Curtin University. I was immediately interested in the supported projects, the professionalism, and the expertise of the professors.
The project aims to address the lack of home-based solutions for monitoring the quality of breast milk, crucial for preterm infants. Recent findings show varying concentrations of D-amino acids in human milk from mothers of preterm infants, serving as biomarkers for milk maturity and quality. The challenge is distinguishing these chiral molecules, D- and L-amino acids. Traditional methods like chromatography are impractical for home use due to complexity and cost. Electrochemical sensors offer a promising, affordable alternative. However, the use of non-conductive chiral coatings essential for stereocontrol often hinders electron transfer in electrochemical reactions.
My supervisory team has demonstrated that electrodes fouled with non-conductive plastics perform better than clean electrodes. Thus, another aim is to develop the fundamental science underpinning chiral electrochemistry at fouled electrodes, creating a platform for new electro-synthetic and analytical technologies.
This project has significant potential for advancing electrochemical and material sciences, particularly in developing next-generation biosensors for breast milk quality monitoring. It could also expand chiral electrochemistry’s applications in medicine, agriculture, and the food industry, enhancing the detection and production of enantiomer-specific substances.
Through my research, I aim to advance the understanding and application of chiral electrochemistry, particularly in the biological field. By collaborating with the team of experts present, I believe I can acquire specialized knowledge in electrochemistry that I would not find elsewhere, while also improving my understanding of chemical catalysis, as well as polymers, materials chemistry, and microscopy. Additionally, the supportive environment and interdisciplinary approach at your center will provide me with valuable insights and perspectives that will further enrich my research journey, broadening my perspective. All of this will bring enormous benefits to my development as an individual within the scientific community.
