info@medicampus.edu.mt
(+356) 2546 6007
Prof. Daniela Imperio, PhD
Daniela Imperio, PhD, is a researcher and lecturer in Organic Chemistry at the University of Eastern Piedmont. Her teaching and research focus on organic and medicinal chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry and sustainable synthetic methods. Her scientific activity includes the development of drug-delivery systems, synthetic vaccines and boron-containing compounds for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, with applications in cancer diagnosis and treatment. She is also the author of scientific publications and patents.
Education and Positions
2024–present
Tenure-Track Researcher in Organic Chemistry, Department of Science and Technological Innovation, Green Chemistry, University of Eastern Piedmont “A. Avogadro”, Vercelli, Italy.
2016–2024
Postdoctoral Researcher and Adjunct Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont “A. Avogadro”, Novara, Italy.
2010–2012
Researcher in Chemical Research and Development, Bracco Imaging S.p.A., Italy.
2011
PhD in Pharmaceutical and Food Biotechnology, University of Eastern Piedmont “A. Avogadro”.
Thesis: Molecular Imaging: Search for New Probes and Diagnostic Applications.
2009
Research Training, Department of Chemistry, Durham University, United Kingdom.
2007
Master’s Degree in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, University of Eastern Piedmont “A. Avogadro”, awarded with honours.
Thesis: A New Application of Click Chemistry: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Azalignans.
The Most Significant Publications
IMPERIO, D.; VALLONI, F.; CAPRIOGLIO, D.; et al. Stereoselective Shi-type epoxidation with 3-oxo-4,6-O-benzylidene pyranoside catalysts: unveiling the role of carbohydrate skeletons. RSC Advances, 2024, 14: 16778.
IMPERIO, D.; VALLONI, F.; PANZA, L. Alternative routes to 4,6-O-benzylidene β-thioglycosides. Helvetica Chimica Acta, 2024, 107: e202300193.
IMPERIO, D.; CASALI, E.; DEL GROSSO, E.; et al. Trifluoromethyl ketone galactose catalyst for asymmetric epoxidation: experimental and theoretical model. European Journal of Organic Chemistry, 2024, 27: e202301163.
IMPERIO, D.; BRENTAZZOLI, M.; VALLONI, F.; et al. Iodine-triphenylphosphine triggers an easy one-pot alpha-stereoselective dehydrative glycosylation on hemiacetalic benzylated glycosyl donors. Carbohydrate Research, 2023, 533: 108944.
CONFALONIERI, L.; IMPERIO, D.; ERHARD, A.; et al. Organotrifluoroborate sugar conjugates for guided Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: from synthesis to positron emission tomography. ACS Omega, 2022, 7(51): 48340–48348.
IMPERIO, D.; GROLLA, A.A.; MORO, M.; et al. Functionalisation of β-cyclodextrin with a urea-based PSMA ligand and preliminary studies on targeting prostate cancer cells. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2022, 73: 128890.
Professional Activities
Teaching Activities
Teaching Organic Chemistry for the Biotechnology degree programme at the Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont.
Teaching substances and methods for low-environmental-impact Organic Chemistry and laboratory activities within the Green Chemistry programme.
Previous teaching activities in Chemistry laboratory methods, Organic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Analysis and Biomedical Laboratory Sciences.
Teaching support for the English-taught course The Pillars of Discovery and Development.
Research Activities
Research focused on organic synthesis, carbohydrate chemistry, glycosylation methodologies and greener synthetic approaches.
Development of boron-containing sugar derivatives and molecular probes for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.
Design and synthesis of systems for drug delivery, synthetic glycolipid-based vaccines and theranostic applications.
Development of natural-compound-based catalysts for asymmetric epoxidation and carbohydrate-assisted organic synthesis.
Academic and Editorial Activities
Member of the Italian Chemical Society, Organic Chemistry Division.
Member of the International Society for Neutron Capture Therapy.
Editorial Board Member of Carbohydrate Research.
Guest Editor of the special issue Boron in Medicinal Chemistry: From Synthesis to Therapeutic Applications in Pharmaceuticals.
Scientific and Professional Activities
Participation in national and international research projects concerning neutron capture therapy, carbohydrate chemistry, anti-leukaemia therapies and nanocarriers.
Author of scientific publications, book chapters and patents in the fields of organic, pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry.
Speaker and presenter at international conferences on neutron capture therapy, glycoconjugates, organic synthesis and molecular imaging.
