On June 19, we had the privilege of spending a day together dedicated to the memory of Professor Giovanni Casiraghi, ten years after his passing.

The event opened with remarks from Prof. Marco Mor, Deputy Director of the Department of Food and Drug Sciences, who highlighted the deep respect and admiration the academic community has always held for Professor Casiraghi.

Prof. Zanardi then retraced his remarkable scientific achievements, intertwined with his passion for mountain climbing— an integral part of who he was. It was a heartfelt talk, not without moments of emotion.

Prof. Appendino, with his presentation “Phytocannabinoids: Reflections from a Two-Decade Journey”, also shared memories of their meaningful personal connection and long-standing epistolary friendship, offering a genuine glimpse of the man behind the scientist.

Finally, PhD student Luca Aimi presented the progress of his first two years of research, made possible through a fellowship established in memory of Professor Casiraghi and funded by his family—a tangible sign of continuity and commitment to future research.

It was a meaningful, moving day. Moments like these remind us how a great professor can leave a lasting impact: not only through memory and affection, but also through the continuity of ideas, research, and the people they have inspired.

A special day for our research group 🎓✨

27-02-2026: Debora successfully defended her PhD thesis, earning the title of Doctor of Philosophy!

Her dissertation, “Innovative Asymmetric Synthesis Routes toward Bioactive, Chiral Heterocyclic Compounds”, is the result of years of dedication, scientific curiosity, and determination. Her work opens new perspectives in the asymmetric synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds, a key area for many pharmaceutical and chemical applications 🔬 ⚗️

We are proud and grateful to have shared this journey with her.

Congratulations, Debora — and onward to the next challenges! 🚀 

On October 6, 2025, the University of Parma reaffirmed its leading role in Italian and international research against emerging viruses through the PANVIRIDE project. The consortium developed hundreds of antiviral molecules, including four broad-spectrum preclinical candidates, and innovative therapeutic strategies. The final event in Catanzaro gathered over 100 researchers and international experts, highlighting Italy’s contribution to biomedical innovation and training new scientists.

👉 Our PhD student Debora Guazzetti also presented her project during this important event.

On 7th March Margherita Restori obtained her PhD, defending her thesis entitled "Novel Fluorescent Molecular Probes and Peptide-Drug Conjugates Targeting Integrin αvβ6 towards Precise Imaging and Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis".

Congratulations to Margherita on her successful PhD!

On the 29th November, Prof. Franca Zanardi was invited to give a seminar at the University of Milan on our research topic, entitled "Jumping from Heterocycles to Peptides in Search of New Chemical Connections and Molecular Functions".

If you missed it, you can find the abstract here: don't hesitate to contact us if you want to learn something new about our projects!

On 27 November, Dr Kelly Bugatti will delivered a webinar for Boc Sciences, wherein she presented a summary of the findings from our research into peptide-drug conjugates as a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. 

The webinar was filmed and is available to watch again if you missed it. You can find the registration link on the Boc Sciences site (link), and feel free to contact our research group if you have any questions!

During the European Night of Reasearcher we played the CabbageMind! 

Do you know that the red cabbage contains an anthocyanin-based dye, which can be used as a pH indicator? We used the different colored solutions at different pH to play a classic MasterMind game, which turned, in this way, to a CabbageMind.

Come to visit us next year, at the Department of Food and Drug at the University of Parma. What will be the next way we will teach you chemistry?

Prof. Zanardi received the medal at the XXVIII National Congress of the Italian Chemical Society 2024 “for having been able to combine the research of innovative pathways of asymmetric organic synthesis for selective access to molecular diversity with the effective use of some molecular prototypes in the bio-medical field, with relevant results in precision medicine in the diagnostic and therapeutic fields.”

During this occasion, Prof. Zanardi held a lecture entitled “Handcrafting function-rich molecules: an amazing opportunity to serve life sciences.”

The “Adolfo Quilico” Medal, named in memory of this scientist of the last century, is awarded annually to a scholar or scholar who has distinguished himself or herself for research of special interest in the field of Bio-Organic Chemistry.

The two-year Ischia Advanced School of Organic Chemistry (IASOC) was held from September the 19th to the 24th: this year the school was a success not only for the large number of participants, but also for the exceptional quality of the lectures. The school is famous for having a program full of leading researchers, among whom this year was Prof. Marta Catellani, an exceptional chemist from the University of Parma, who enlightened the students with her lesson entitled “The Lively Chemistry of the Pd/Norbornene Duo”.

We're waiting to attend the school during September 2026: in the middle time, stay tuned by checking the school website! https://www.iasoc.it/home/