Bio
Dr. Francesca Deganello has been a senior researcher at CNR-ISMN Palermo (Italy) since 2023 and a researcher since 2001. In March 1996 she received a Chemistry degree at the Università degli Studi di Palermo, and in February 2002 she obtained her PhD certificate in Chemical Sciences at the same University. She participates in and/or is responsible for several national and international projects on the preparation and characterization of sustainable nanomaterials for environment and energy. The investigated materials are mainly mixed oxides with a perovskite-type structure and perovskite oxide-based heterostructures for the degradation of air/water pollutants and clean energy production/accumulation. Among the preparation methodologies, she mainly uses solution combustion synthesis with sustainable precursors and procedures. Dr. Deganello is the author of 55 peer-reviewed scientific publications, 20 structures in the ICDD database, and more than 60 oral presentations, poster communications and invited presentations. Dr. Deganello is a reviewer for materials-related journals and the editor for Sustainable Chemistry (MDPI). She is also deeply involved in projects and activities related with chemistry and sustainability for schools and the public.

Bio
Dr. Ilaria Zanoni received her PhD in Nanotechnology from the University of Trieste (Italy), where she focused on evaluating the penetration of nanoparticles through human and porcine skin and oral mucosa. Since 2019, she has been working at the Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for Ceramics (CNR-ISSMC) of the National Research Council of Italy (Faenza), initially as a postdoctoral researcher and currently as a research scientist. Her research centers on the synthesis, engineering, and characterization of ceramic and metallic colloidal phases, and their integration into hybrid composite coatings on various substrates, including textiles, glass, and paper. These materials are developed for a range of advanced applications, such as adsorption, catalysis, antibacterial activity, and environmental remediation. A significant aspect of her work includes the application of nanoparticles in wastewater treatment, where she explores the development of functional nanomaterials capable of efficiently removing pollutants, heavy metals, and emerging contaminants. Dr. Zanoni is actively involved in multiple European projects under the Horizon 2020 framework, contributing to the advancement of safe and sustainable nanomaterials. In addition to her research activities, Dr. Zanoni serves as a teaching tutor at the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum), where she supports the Inorganic Chemistry course within the Bachelor's Degree program in Chemistry and Technologies for the Environment and Materials.

Bio
Prof. Vittorio Boffa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Bioscience at Aalborg University in Denmark. He is affiliated with the Center for Membrane Technology and the Disordered Materials group. His research focuses on inorganic and hybrid membranes, particularly for applications in water purification and environmental remediation. Prof. Boffa has contributed to the development of advanced nanofiltration membranes, including perovskite–graphene oxide composites, aimed at removing pollutants from water sources. He has authored numerous publications in the field and is recognized for his work on sustainable membrane technologies.

Bio
Prof. Simonetta Pancaldi is a Full Professor of General Botany (BIO/01) at the Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara. She earned her degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Ferrara in 1981 and completed a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Her research focuses on the biotechnological potential of microalgae, examining the structural, functional, and molecular aspects of their photosynthetic apparatus under normal and stress conditions. She has authored 95 peer-reviewed publications and co-authored approximately 200 conference contributions. She is also a co-inventor of a patent for reducing nitrogen load in livestock wastewater. Prof. Pancaldi teaches courses in Biological Sciences and various Master's programs, including Industrial Biotechnology and Agricultural Biotechnology. She is involved in several research projects, such as the EU-funded EASY TRAIN and PRIN projects like GREENPATCH and BIMODAL. She also leads the INTECH4WATER project, focusing on integrated technologies for wastewater treatment. She is the scientific director and co-founder of Alga&Zyme Factory s.r.l., a spin-off of the University of Ferrara. Her contributions have been recognized with awards like the ItaliaX10 Prize (2013) and the R.O.S.A. Prize (2015).

Bio
Prof. Costanza Baldisserotto is an Associate Professor in General Botany (BIO/01) at the Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences at the University of Ferrara. She teaches courses in Biological Sciences and Agricultural Technologies and Aquaculture of the Delta, and is involved in other BIO/01 sector courses at UniFE. She is also a member of the Doctoral Board for the PhD program in Environmental and Health Sciences. Her research focuses on the biotechnological applications of microalgae, including wastewater phytoremediation, biomedical uses, eco-sustainable agriculture, aquaculture (particularly for bivalve nutrition), and the valorization of agro-industrial waste. She is the Principal Investigator for the national PRIN-2022 project ALBAVITA and leads a project co-funded by UniFE and the Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara. Prof. Baldisserotto has conducted research at the Universidad Nacional del Sur in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, and at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. She has authored 45 peer-reviewed articles in international journals, contributed to over 90 national and international conferences, and co-authored a university textbook on Botany published by McGraw-Hill. She is also a co-founder of Alga&Zyme Factory s.r.l., a spin-off from the University of Ferrara specializing in microalgal biotechnology. In addition to her academic and research roles, she serves as a member of the Joint Committee of Teachers and Students (CPDS) for Biological Sciences and is a coordinator for the internationalization of two degree programs. She is also involved in the quality assurance committee for the Master's program in Methodologies and Innovation in Teaching for Biogeosciences and Chemistry

Bio
Dr. Francesca Russo is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute on Membrane Technology (ITM) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), based in Rende, Calabria. Her research focuses on the development of sustainable polymeric membranes for water treatment, desalination, and gas separation, utilizing green solvents and bio-based materials. Dr. Russo earned her Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences and Technologies, concentrating on eco-friendly membrane fabrication techniques. Notably, she received the Best PhD Thesis Award in 2022 from Clean Technologies (MDPI) for her thesis on polymeric membranes for water purification. Her recent research includes the preparation of mixed matrix membranes incorporating bio-ceramic hydroxyapatite derived from fish bone waste, aimed at removing heavy metals like copper and iron from water sources. Dr. Russo actively collaborates with European research institutions and participates in EU-funded projects focused on sustainable membrane technologies. She is also engaged in science communication, sharing her research insights through professional networks and conferences.