2. Professors
  3. SANSONE Francesca
  4. Curriculum

Curriculum

Francesca SANSONE Curriculum

Associate Professor (Scientific-Disciplinary Sector CHEM/08A), Technology, Socioeconomics, and Drug Legislation

Member of the Steering Committee of the Interdepartmental Center Pharmanomics

Research lines in pharmaceutical technologies include:

  • Design, formulation, and evaluation of drug and natural compound delivery systems.
  • Development of innovative technologies for drug delivery and controlled drug release.
  • Design and application of physicochemical techniques for microencapsulation.
  • Development of innovative solid-like and liquid-like polymeric micro- and nano-systems for drug stabilization and delivery.
  • Microalgae research: from cultivation to health product applications

Notable Research Contributions and Awards:

Education and Academic Background:

  • Degree in Pharmacy (2004): Experimental thesis in Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry (CHIM/09), titled “Spray-dried gastro-resistant microparticulate systems for oral administration of rutin”. Licensed as a pharmacist in the same year.
  • PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2009): Dissertation on “Site-specific delivery of flavonoids as CFTR activators and antioxidants: Design and development of gastro-resistant microparticles and DPI (Dry Powder Inhalers)”. Conducted research in 2008 at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, focusing on “Biomaterials for drug-controlled release scaffolds”.
  • Second-Level Master’s in Cosmetic Science and Technology (2009): Thesis in Cosmetic Formulation Techniques (CHIM/09), titled “Development of a novel polymeric matrix for spray-dried microsystems containing phytochemicals for cosmetic use”.

Academic and Research Positions:

  • 2009-2011: Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (CHIM/09) on controlled drug and dermo-functional agent release systems.
  • 2012-2014: Research Fellow on PON01_01499 Health Products from Food Industry focusing on bioactive substance delivery and controlled release systems.
  • 2015-2018: Junior Researcher (Type A) on innovative technologies for oral, pulmonary, and topical drug delivery.
  • 2018-2021: Senior Researcher (Type B) in pharmaceutical technologies (CHIM/09).

Expertise:
prof. Sansone specializes in eco-sustainable design of microparticulate biopolymer matrices for transforming and delivering extracts and functional substances from plant matrices and agricultural waste. Her research includes:

  • Developing green technologies for stable functional ingredients for health and agricultural applications.
  • Innovating techniques to characterize the chemical and biological profiles of microalgae constituents for health product delivery.

Research Projects:
prof. Sansone has participated in and led numerous research projects funded by competitive grants, including:

  • 2009: Member, PRIN Project on drug and gene delivery via micro- and nano-systems.
  • 2012-2014: Researcher in PON01_01499 “Hi-life” on recovering agro-industrial waste for functional foods and cosmeceuticals.
  • 2014-2020: Contributor to the PSR Basilicata CORILUC Project on sustainable hazelnut cultivation.
  • 2020-2022: Contributor to FISR GREENMARE Project on microalgal based healthy products
  • 2022-2025: Member, PRIN-PNRR IMPROVE Project on sustainable technologies using microalgal biomass and agro-industrial waste extracts.
  • 2022 - 2025 Contributor to Agritech National Research Center Agritech National Research Center

Publications and Metrics:

  • 47 international peer-reviewed articles indexed in SCOPUS.
  • 3 book chapters.
  • 1582 citations (H-index 23).
  • 76 contributions to scientific conferences globally.

Editorial Roles and Peer Review:

  • Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Drug Design and Development.
  • Guest Editor, Molecules: Special Issue on “Natural Bioactive Derivatives in Human Health Products”.
  • Reviewer for leading journals, including Food Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Molecules, and others.

Memberships:

  • SITELF: Association of Italian Teachers and Researchers in Pharmaceutical Technology.
  • SCI: Italian Chemical Society, Pharmaceutical Technology Division.
  • AISAM: Italian Association for Microalgae Studies.
  • CRS: Controlled Release Society, Italian Chapter.
  • SILAE: Italian Latin American Society of Ethnomedicine.
  • SIFAP: Italian Society of Preparatory Pharmacists.
  • SICC: Italian Society of Chemistry and Cosmetology.
  • EPNOE: European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence.

Research Areas:

  • Study of phytochemicals for cosmetic and nutraceutical use.
  • Development of cosmetic products from agro-industrial waste and microalgal biomass.
  • Technological characterization of natural polysaccharides and proteins.
  • Development of controlled-release systems for oral delivery of drugs and biomolecules.
  • Cultivation of microalgal biomass for agricultural, phytoremediation, and health applications.