Claudia CRESTINI

1. BIOGRAPHICAL 

e-mail: claudia.crestini@unive.it

www.claudiacrestini.weebly.com

www.polyphenols.weebly.com

·      Web of Science Researcher ID: O-6781-2015 

·      ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9903-2675

·      SCOPUS ID 7004577134

Education
            1990: MSc. Chemistry. Laurea Summa cum Laude, University of Rome La Sapienza

            1986: Ph. D. Engenieering, Alma Mater University, Bologna, Italy

Professional Positions:
            2018-   Professor in Chemistry, University of Venice Ca’ Foscari. Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi.

            2015-2018      Associate Professor in Chemistry, University of Rome Tor Vergata. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche Università di Roma Tor Vergata  Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 1 - 00133 Rome, Italy

            1998-2015      Assistant Professor in Chemistry, University of Rome Tor Vergata

            2010    Visiting professor at Departamento die Ciencia Quimicas, Facultad de Ecologia y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello Vina del Mar, Cile.12-18/07/2010.

            2000    visiting scientist at the Wroclaw University (Polland)

            1997    Postdoctoral Fellow, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada

            1996    Visiting Scientist, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada

            1995    Visiting Scientist, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada

            1994                Consultant. Agrital Ricerche Research Center, Maccarese (Rome), Italy.

1990-1993      Researcher and team leader at the Francesco Angelini Research Institute, Pomezia, Italy. 

            1990   Consultant for the national research council Center for the Study of Natural Substances, University of Rome La Sapienza

Awards:
1990                Prize Reiss Romoli for the best Master dissertation.

2011               The paper: Milled Wood Lignin: A Linear Oligomer. by C Crestini, F Melone, M Sette and R Saladino. Biomacromolecules 2011 12 11 PMID: 21928799 DOI: 10.1021/bm200948r has been selected for evaluation by Faculty of 1000 (F1000). Faculty of 1000 (F1000) identifies and evaluates the most important articles in biology and medical research publications. Articles are selected by a peer-nominated global 'Faculty' of the world's leading scientists and clinicians who then rate them and explain their importance. On average, 1500 new evaluations are published each month; this corresponds to approximately 2% of all published articles in the biological and medical sciences.

2018    The paper: Synthesis of Nano- and Microstructures from Proanthocyanidins, Tannic Acid and Epigallocatechin-3-O-Gallate for Active Delivery. Green Chem. 2017 19 (21), 5074–5091 was selected among HOT manuscripts in Green Chemistry in 2017.

2016                 Nominated and Elected fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

2009                Nominated and Elected fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science

Services:
2010                Chairwoman of the Scientific Council of the EU Centre of Excellence for Polymer Materials and Technologies (CoE PoliMaT)

2008  -2010     Member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the EU project  Forbioplast Forest             Resource sustainability through biobasedcomposite development  prom. n. 212239 FP7 KBBE). http://www.forbioplast.eu/; http://www.forbioplast.eu/index.php/iab.html.

2000-present         Member of the Scientific Commetee of the European Workshop on Lignocellulosic and Pulps EWLP

2001-present              Member of the executive board and Scientific committee of the italian meeting on Lignin Chemistry, ITALIC

2013-                          Member of the scientific committee of the International Symposium on Wood and Fiber Pulping Chemistry, 2013 Vancouver, Canada.

2013-                          Member of the scientific committee of the 4th Workshop Green Chemistry and Nanotechnologies in Polymer Chemistry 4-6 September 2013 Pisa, Italy 

2013-2018                  Member of the teaching Commettee of the Ph.D. school of the University of Tor Vergata MATERIALS FOR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY.

2019-present      Member of the teaching Commettee of the Ph.D. school of the University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Bionanomaterials

2019-present         Member of the scientific committee of the Center for Sustainability Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia

2019-present      Member of the teaching Commettee of the undergraduate course in Sustainable Chemistry  and Technologies of the University Ca’ Foscari of Venice.

2019-present      Chair of the teaching Commettee of the graduate course in Sustainable Chemistry  and Technologies of the University Ca’ Foscari of Venice.

Dr. Crestini has worked as a referee for the European Community projects such as expert reviewer and independent evaluator since 1999 (FP5, FP6, FP7, H2020).

•          Dr. Crestini has worked as a referee for the UEFISCDI EEA Grants Team 2019-2020

Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding

•          Dr. Crestini has worked as a referee for the trentino region.

Activity in COST actions
Dr. Crestini actively participates in several COST actions organized by the European Community. More specifically:

• Representative and Italian member of the managment commettee of the European project Cost action LignoCOST 2018_2021.

Representative and Italian member of the managment commettee and of the steering committee of the European project Cost action FP 1105 CA17128

• Representative and Italian member of the managment commettee and of the steering committee of the European project Cost action FP 1105 Understanding wood cell wall structure, biopolymer interaction and composition: implications for current products and new material innovation (2012-2015). Coordinator of the STSM.

• Representative and Italian member of the managment commettee and of the steering committee of the European project Cost action FP 0901 Analytical tools in Biorefinery (2009-2013). Working group leader of WG2.

• Representative and Italian member of the managment commettee of the European project COST Action E 54 (2008-2011) Characterization of the fine structure and properties of papermaking fibers using new technologies.

• Representative and Italian member of the managment commettee and of the steering committee of the European project COST Action 602 FP (2008-2011). Biotechnology for lignocellulose biorefinery. Working Group WG3 leader of biofuels and products from biomasses.

• Italian representative in the European project Cost Action E 41 (2005-2008) Analytical tools with applications for wood and pulping chemistry.

Editor Activity

·      Editor of the Journal Molecules since (2019, IF 3,060)

·      Editor of the Journal of Chemistry (since 2018, IF 1,726)

·      Editor of the Journal of Applied Chemistry (up to 2018)

·      Guest editor of ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engeneering for the special issue: Lignin Refining Functionalization and Utilization, October 3, 2016 Volume 4, Issue 10 Pages 5089-5819(IF 6,140).

·      Guest editor of Bioresources (2007)(IF 1,334).

·      Member of the advisory board of the Cellulose Chemistry and Technology Journal (since 2016) (IF 0,833)

Professional Memberships
·      Fellow or the Royal Society of Chemistry

·      Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science

·      Interuniversity Consortium for Materials Science and Technology

·      Member of The Americann Chemical Society (ACS)

·      Member of the Italian Chemical Society

·      Interuniversitty Consortium Sistemi a Grande Interfase

·      International Society of Polyphenols

·      Member of the nast center

2. RESEARCH
Author of 18 patents, 2 books and in excess of 160 publications on international refereed journals, and over 200 scientific oral & poster contributions at international conferences, meetings and focused thematic schools.

Her papers have been cited over 6000 times and her h-index is 47 (Google scholar).

The scientific activity of Prof. Claudia Crestini is focused on different aspects of lignin and tannins Chemistry. 

Professor Crestini is solely responsible for the establishment of the Polyphenols Chemistry & material Science laboratory (www.polyphenols.weebly.com). This is one of the few Italian Laboratories with significant R&D activities in the field of sustainable chemistry and materials with a specific focus in lignin biorefinery, development of new hybrid materals and nanomaterials from renewable polyphenolic biopolymers. The work is focused at their structural characterization, catalysis, biomimetic catalysis and biotechnology in lignin, lignans and tannins oxidative modifications.

Dr. Crestini has indepentently developed a number of research topics of pivotal significance in the area. Over the years she has dealt with the development of catalytic, biomimetic and biocatalytic systems for the selective oxidation and functionalization natural polyphenols, in particular of lignins and tannins. She has focused her attention on the study of the mechanisms of action of oxidative enzymes on the development of enzyme systems and immobilized multyenzyme, on the synthesis of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and planning and realization of biomimetic systems aimed at 'oxidation of polyphenolic systems. Furthermore, the development of new analytical techniques designed to characterize the structure of lignin and polyphenols has also been a focal point of her work. Overall, these issues are aim at adding value to a valuable renewable resource since lignin is the second most abundant natural biopolymer on the planet. The development of modern biorefineries has led to a series of processes starting from saccharification of cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials. Therefore, today the use of the residue lignin (about 1kg per liter of bioethanol produced) is the most critical issue for the development of biorefinery processes environmentally and economically sustainable. A possible approach to the enhancement of this biopolymer is its functionalization and / or controlled oxidation, processes that can be realized through the use of catalysis and biocatalysis of oxidation.  Recent efforts that have embarked form her past fundamental work have allowed for the development of innovative nanomaterials and hybrid nanomaterials from polyphenols such as nanoparticles, nanocapsules and nanofibers.

Present research activity is mainly directed towards the following topics:

Development of new materials from lignins: Lignin nanostructures; Lignin nanocapsules and nanoparticles for active controlled release; Lignin nanofibers for biomedical and cosmetic devices, carbon nanoparticles and nanofibers from lignin nanostructures.

Lignin purification and upgrade via flow processes.

Development of supported catalysts and biomimetic catalysts for the activation of oxygen and hydrogen peroxide to the selective oxidation and functionalization of natural substances: lignans, terpenes, cardanols, nucleosides, lignins and lignin model compounds.

Development of immobilized catalysts from metalloporphyrins, methylrhenium trioxide  

Biocatalysis in processes of lignin degradation, with a special focus on the study of manganese peroxidase, laccases and laccase-mediator systems.

Structural characterization of polyphenolic biomolecules (lignins and tannins) by advanced heteronuclear NMR techniques and quantitative 2D heterocorrelated NMR spectroscopy. 

Study of supramolecular association-dissociation behavior in lignin. Structural characterization of archaeological wood materials. Evaluation of ageing processes. Detection of radical species by 31P- based spin trap systems in oxidative systems: Lipoxygenase, laccase, bleaching solutions.

Ongoing Scientific Collaborations
Prof. Dimitris S. Argyropoulos. North Carolina State University (NC, USA) Development of carbon fibers from lignin. Structural studies on softwood Kraft lignin.

Prof. Ligia Martins Lisbon University. (Portugal). Lignozymes: valorization of lignin by biocatalytic treatments. Development of immobilized catalysts and biocatalysts

Dr. Denilson Da Silva Perez, FCBA, French Institute of Technology for Forest-based and Furniture Sectors (Grenoble, France). Development of innovative lignin pretreatment processes.

Dr. Anthi Karnaouri, University of Athens (Greece). Development of innovative lignin pretreatment processes.

Prof. Valeria Conte, Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata (roma, Italy). Development of lignin nanocapsules for controlled release of bromothymole.

Prof. Marcella Trombetta, Campus biomedico (Roma, Italy). Development of carbon nanofibers from natural polyphenols.

Dr. Anju Broker, Procter & Gamble Newcastle (UK). Development of innovative home care and person care products from natural polyphenols.

3. INVITED CONFERENCES (23.  10 selected)
On the Structure of Softwood Kraft Lignin. Inaugural Lignin Gordon Research Conference on Emerging Analytical and Computational Methods for Structural Elucidation August 5-10 2018 at Stonehill College (Easton, Massachusetts).

9th World Congress on Green Chemistry and Technology. September 17-19, 2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands Tannins: a new approach to characterization, chemical modification and processing towards innovative products and nano materials. Claudia Crestini, Heiko Lange, Luc Zongo, Lili Zhen, Paola Giannì. Key note Lecture

Challenges and Advances in the Science of Green Chemistry when Confronted with Lignin as a Feedstock. April, 3, 2017. Green Chemistry Symposium of the Swedish Society of Chemistry

COST FP1306 Join WG1 & WG3 meeting  Lisbon 26-27 September 2016. From structural understanding to valorization: the structure of technical lignins from different fractionation processesRecent advances in lignin oxidative upgrade. Wallenberg Wood Science Centre (WWSC) annual workshop. 19/06/2012 Workshop at Häringe Slott, June 18-19, 2012

Lignin oxidtive upgrade. Claudia Crestini International Conference on Biobased Polymers and Composites. May 27-31/2012 Siofok, Hungary Invited Plenary lecture http://www.bipoco2012.hu/

Biotrans 2011 Giardini Naxos (ME), Italy. 10th International Symposium on Biocatalysis, October 2 - 6, 2011. Oxidative enzymes in lignin biorefinery Invited plenary lecture http://www.biotrans2011.org/

Prebiotic chemistry of formamide in terrestrial conditions. Departamento die Ciencia Quimicas, Facultad de Ecologia y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Cile, 13/07/2010

Advances in laccase immobilisation: design and applications. Laccase Academy Porto, March 8-10 2010

On the Mechanism of the Laccase-Mediator System in the Oxidation of Lignin. North Carolina State University, Wood Chemistry Day. June 6, 2003 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA.

Methyltrioxorhenium: a new catalyst for the activation of hydrogen peroxide to the oxidation of lignin and lignin model compounds. North Carolina State University Wood Chemistry Day. June 6, 2003 North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA.

4. PUBLICATION STATISTICS
Papers in International Refereed Journals, Reviews and Book chapters, refereed: 159.

H Index: 47 (2019 Google Scholar), 41 (Scopus)

Citations: 6653 (google scholar); 4838 (Scopus)

Books Edited: 2


Full-length articles in conference proceedings (peer reviewed): 51

Patents: 18 (5 granted)

Invited Lectures: 23


Oral presentations: 132

Poster presentations: 66 


Popular Papers: 4

5. Technology Transfer and Scientific Dissemination
            Pro-Italic Dr. Claudia Crestini 16/02/2011 founded the cultural association pro-italic and is its president.

            The Cultural Association "PRO-Italic" pursues the following aims:

-To disseminate scientific culture on lignocellulosic materials and their possible applications

-To promote and disseminate scientific and technological research in the field of lignocellulosic materials, and more generally of the materials and renewable energy.

Conferences organization:
Dr. Crestini has a vibrant scientific activity in the organization of conferences. She conceived and organized the first italian international conference of wood chemistry: Italian Meeting on Lignocellulosics Chemistry (ITALIC). The event, originally addressed to researchers in the Mediterranean, was soon extended to accommodate international and intercontinental contributions to become one of the points of reference for scientists working in the field of the chemistry of wood. Dr. Crestini has been member of the executive and scientific committee and the following scientific conferences: Italic1, Italic2, Italic3, Italic4, Italic5, Italic6.

She also organized the following workshops and conferences:

Chair of the First italian meeting on Lignin Chemistry, ITALIC 1, Rome

Co-Chair of the Second Italian meeting on lignin Chemistry, ITALIC 2 Como, February 20,21-2003

Co-Chair of the Third Italian meeting on lignin Chemistry, ITALIC 3, L’Aquila, June  2005

Chair of the Fourth Italian meeting on lignin Chemistry, ITALIC 4, Rome, May 2007 

Local organizer of the COST Action E41 workshop Rome May 2007

Coorganizer of the Workshop: Biotecnologie bianche e biorisorse vegetali rinnovabili: prospettive di ricerca e applicazioni CNR  Roma 5 Marzo 2007

Coorganizer of the Workshop: Biotechnology for a sustainable Pulp and Paper Industry, Viterbo 2003.

Scientific organizer of the Second Annual Workshop of COST FP0602. Biotechnology for lignocellulose biorefineries. Enzymatic fiber modification and hydrolysis. December 4-5, 2008, Biel, Switzerland

Scientific organizer of the Third Annual Workshop of COST FP0602. Biotechnology for lignocellulose biorefineries. September 2-4 2009, Varenna, Italy.

Scientific organizer of the Final Workshop of COST FP0602. Biotechnology for lignocellulose biorefineries. Enzymatic fiber modification and hydrolysis. Septemberr 4-5, 2011, Viterbo, Italy. 

COST Action FP1105 strategic workshop Rome, January 2014, Chair

Co Chair “Lignin Biosynthesis, Characterization and Modifications” 249th ACS National Meeting in March 22-26, 2015 in Denver, Colorado.

Co Chair “Lignin Refining, Functionalization” 250th ACS National Meeting & Exposition March 2016 San Diego.

Co Chair “Lignin: From Fundamentals to New Materials.” 255th ACS National Meeting& Exposition New Orleans, LA, March 18-22,2018.

Member of the Programme Advisory Commettee  8th Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference, NWBC 2018 , Helsinki 23-25 October 2018. 

Co Chair 259th ACS National Meeting& Exposition March 22-26, 2020, Philadelphia. Innovative Lignin Upgrading. Smart Materials and Specialty Chemicals

Member of the Scientific Commettee of the 9TH IUPAC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GREEN CHEMISTRY, Athens, 18 OCTOBER 2020 - 22 OCTOBER 2020

6. TEACHING
• In the academic years, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, she taught in the General Chemistry laboratory as teaching assistant at the Department of Science and Chemical Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata

• coordinated several BSc, Master and Ph.D. graduation studies in biology, chemistry and plant biotechnology.

• She is currently the scientific coordinator of 1 PhD students, 5 undergraduate students and 1 research fellow,

• In January 2010 and in January 2011 she was a member of the evaluation committee of the PhD program in Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Naples Federico II.

• In May 2014 he was part of a commission for the degree of Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of San Sebastian in Spain.

In l 2015 she was opponent of 2 PhD at Aalto University, Espoo, finland.

Nel 2017 she was opponent of 1 PhD at the Universty of Oslo, Norway.

Nel 2017 Nel 2017 she was opponent of 1 PhD in Scienze dei Materiali at the Universty of Milano Bicocca.