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Cillin Mac Donnchadha (MSc, 2009), LEO Pharma, Dublin, IE
Dr. Elaine O’Reilly (PhD, 2010), Assistant Professor, University of Nottingham, UK
Dr. Gabriele Gucciardo (PhD, 2010), Team Leader, Almac Group, Northern Ireland, UK
Dr. Sabrina Devereux (PhD, 2010), Project Manager, Horizon Pharma Ireland, IE
Dr. Leanne Timpson (PhD, 2011), Novozymes, Nottingham, UK
Dr. Daniela Quaglia (PhD, 2012), Post Doctoral Researcher, Université de Montréal, Canada
Dr. Philip Conway (PhD, 2012), Technical Development Chemist, GSK, Cork, IE
Dr. Lara Pes (PhD, 2013), Post Doctoral Researcher, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, USA
Dr. Keith Robertson (PhD, 2013), Technical Development Chemist, GSK, Cork, IE
Dr. Diya Alsafadi (PhD, 2013), Researcher, Royal Scientific Society, Jordan
Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (PhD, 2015), Post Doctoral Researcher, University College Dublin, IE
Dr. Anita Wester (PhD, 2016), Post Doctoral Researcher, Københavns Universiter, DK
Dr. Matteo Planchestainer (PhD, 2017), Post Doctoral Researcher, University of Bern, CH
Dr. Larah Bruen (PhD, 2018) Technical Support Scientist at Abbott Diagnostics Division, Longford
Dr. David Roura Padrosa (PhD, 2019), Post Doctoral Researcher, University of Bern, CH
Dr. Eimear Hegarty (PhD, 2019), Post Doctoral Researcher, University of Bern, CH
Dr. Nourah Almulhim (PhD, 2021), Lecturer at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Lidia Delgado (PhD, 2021), Further development, Granada, Spain
Dr. Christian Heckmann (PhD, 2021), Post Doctoral Researcher, TU Delft, The Netherlands
Calvin Klein (MSc, 2021), PhD University of Bern, CH
Moritz Dieffenbacher (MSc, 2021), Pharmacy qualification, Bern, CH
Jérémie Reusser (MSc, 2022), PhD University of Bern, CH
Dr. Valentina Marchini (PhD, 2022), Researcher InSeit, CH
Nik Lüpold (MSc, 2023), University of Bern, CH
Sofia Hutter (MSc, 2023), ETH Zurich, CH
Sabrina De Lorenzo (MSc, 2023), University of Bern, CH
Dr. Stefania Gianolio (PhD, 2023), University of Bern, CH
Kaja Stalder (MSc, 2024), La Roche, Basel, CH
Dr. Lucia Robustini (PhD 2024), CLS Behring, Bern, CH
Dr. Lauriane Pillet (PhD 2024), Lonza, Visp, CH
Dr. Kevin Devine, Senior Lecturer, London Metropolitan University, UK
Dr. Daniele Balducci, Chemistry Teacher, Urbino, Italy
Dr. Jennifer Cassidy, Science Foundation Ireland, IE
Dr. Elena Lestini, Post Doc, Dublin City University, IE
Dr. Ann-Kathrin Liliensiek, Researcher, Federal Institute of Hydrology, Essen, DE
Dr. Maeve O’Neill, Team Leader, Biocatalysts Ltd, Cardiff, UK
Dr. Eimear Hegarty, Post Doc, ZHAW, Zurich, CH
Dr. Martina Letizia Contente, Assistant Professor, University of Milan, IT
Dr. Nicholas Moody, Activatec Ltd, Biocity Nottingham, UK
Dr. María Romero-Fernández, Phenotypeca Ltd, BioCity Nottingham, UK
Dr. Ana I. Benítez-Mateos, SNSF Ambizione Group Leader, ETH Zurich, CH
Dr. David Roura Padrosa, CEO at inSEIT AG, CH
Dr. Stefania Gianolio, Syngenta Crop Protection, CH
Dr. Arpita Mrigwani, Punjab, India
2017: Chiara Grazie Marzano (MSc University of Milan, Italy), Benedetta Guidi (PhD University of Milan, Italy), Valerio De Vitis (PhD University of Milan, Italy), Joseph Byrne (Post Doc University of Bern, Switzerland), Nathalie Segaud (Post Doc University of Bern, Switzerland), Anabel Benitez Mateos (PhD CICBiomaGUNE, Spain)
2018: Raphael Alaux (UG Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France), Lorianne Provo (UG Bordeaux Gironde, France)
2019: Stefania Gianolio (Graduate student University of Milan, Italy), Debra Zanconato (MSc University of Bologna)
2020: Sofia Ambrogetti (BSc student, University of Bologna, Italy)
2022: Amalie Skogvold (Phd Student, University of Tromsø, Norway), Francisco Javier Santiago Arcos (Phd Student, CIC biomaGUNE, Spain), Andoni Rodriguez López de Abetxuko (Phd Student, NanoGUNE, Spain)
2023: Silvia Donzella (PhD Student, University of Milan, Italy), Federica De Nardi (PhD Student, University of Turin, Italy), Martina Bigliardi (MSc Student, University of Bologna, Italy)
2024: Giulia Frati (MSc Student, University of Bologna, Italy), Virginia Cristofori (Researcher, University of Ferrara, Italy), Leonardo Gelati (PhD Student, University of Milan, Italy)
I completed a Master’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow in 2001. From 2001 to 2004 I went on to obtain a PhD in Polymer/Organometallic Chemistry under the joint supervision of Professors David Sherrington and Robert Mulvey. I then took up a one year postdoctoral position in Strathclyde working on the applications of zinc compounds for functionalisation of organic molecules. I then moved to industry working as a scientist in the design of pigments and inks at Ciba/BASF until 2009. I subsequently took a senior scientist position in Controlled Therapeutics (Glasgow, UK) where I applied my knowledge in polymer chemistry to design and synthesise PEG based polyurethanes for medical device applications. In 2012, I joined the team at Ocutec (Bellshill, UK) where I focussed on PEG based contact lens technology, project managing, designing and developing material formulations for both the PEG and silicone-PEG based contact lenses.
After moving to Bern, Switzerland in 2019 I first joined the Paradisi lab at the University of Bern as a visiting researcher and since January 2021 I have taken up the position as Laboratory Manager.
I am from Athens, Greece, where I also completed my undergraduate studies in Chemistry in 2012. I then participated in a EU-funded Erasmus+ traineeship program as a research intern at the University of Cyprus with Prof. Koutentis, focusing on the organic synthesis of Canthin-4-one alkaloids.
Following that, in 2017 I moved to Heriot-Watt University (Scotland, UK) to pursue a PhD, focusing on the development of photoactive materials for ROS generation enabled by mechanochemistry and flow chemistry techniques. In 2022, I moved to Bern to start my postdoc at the Paradisi group.
Besides chemistry, I enjoy listening to 80s music, going scuba diving, and motorbike trips.
I hail from the land of Kiwis and Hobbits with a Ph. D in Biochemistry from the University of Canterbury, NZ. After a stint as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Basel, I am now working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bern in the Paradisi group. In my spare time, I am very passionate about playing guitar and am also into long-distance cycling.
Protecting groups are typically unavoidable in synthetic carbohydrate chemistry. Their use inevitably leads to multiple synthetic steps, leading to loss of material and the creation of large amounts of waste. In the lab, I am currently developing methods for the protecting-group-free derivatisation of unprotected sugars in water to mitigate these problems and use this methodology to form medicinally-interesting compounds.
After my MSc in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology in the University of Seville, I moved to the Basque Country to do the PhD in Synthetic Biology and Industrial Chemistry. Since I am keen on biocatalysis, I joined Paradisi group to continue learning about green biochemistry. Apart from science, I am a chocolate lover and I enjoy travelling and hiking.
Pipecolic acid is a key pharmaceutical intermediate and more efficient strategies for its production are desirable. In my current research project, we develop a self-sufficient biocatalyst which is integrated in a flow reactor to perform a completely sustainable synthetic process.
I am half Spanish, half Dutch and I started my PhD at the University of Bern after receiving my MSci in Molecular and Supramolecular Chemistry from the University of Strasbourg as well as a double degree between the ECPM (Ecole Européene de Chimie Polymères et Matériaux de Strasbourg) and the Autonomous University of Madrid in the field of Chemical Engineering in 2020. In my free time I enjoy doing sport such as climbing, ice hockey and windsurfing, but also hanging out with friends and discovering new places and cultures.
The goal of my research is to explore further reactions which could be performed with an AcT mutant enzyme previously developed by the group.
After my bachelor’s degree in Medical Biotechnology, in December 2022 I obtained my master’s degree in Safety Assessment of Xenobiotics and Biotechnological Products at the University of Milan. During my studies I became fascinated by the field of structural bioinformatics and the idea of proteins as versatile tools for the generation of innovative products. In my master’s thesis project I investigated, exclusively using in silico methods, the relationship between protein structure and sensitivity to toxic proteins. In my spare time I like reading books, knitting and dancing.
In March 2023 I joined the group as a PhD student. My research, which lies at the intersection of biotechnology, bioinformatics and chemical engineering, is focused on the development of innovative biocatalysts for sustainable and efficient synthetic processes.
After obtaining my bachelor’s in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Guilan, I decided to pursue my studies at Tarbiat Modares University with a master’s course in Biochemistry, which I completed in 2021. After working for a few years in the same field, I joined the Paradisi group as a Ph.D. student in 2023. Apart from science, in my leisure time, I enjoy listening to old Iranian music, watching movies, going to cafés and shopping with my friends. I am also passionate about cooking for my family and spending time with them in my free time.
In August 2023, I joined the group as a PhD student. I am currently working as a part of the MetRaZymes project, which gave me the opportunity to join the Paradisi Research group. I am passionate about the study of proteins as powerful tools for the generation of recombinant products. My research, which lies at the intersection of biotechnology, bioinformatics, bioinorganic and polymer chemistry, and bioprocess engineering, is focused on enzymes with radicalic mechanisms.
Born and raised at the German-Dutch border, I obtained both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Molecular Science the Radboud University in Nijmegen. During an Erasmus internship at CSIC in Madrid I got fascinated by sustainable catalysis. Outside the lab, I dive into music production, enjoy cooking delishes meals and going for hikes.
I joined the Paradisi group for my PhD, where my focus lays on the interface of chemistry and biocatalysis. My research aims to create high-value chemicals from renewable materials, contributing to a more sustainable future.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Institute of Fine Chemical Technologies in Moscow in 2023. Throughout that year, I actively contributed as a member of the scientific group focusing on the ‘Development of targeted liposomal antitumor drugs,’ until the decision to pursue a master’s degree abroad took shape. Presently, I am enrolled in the master’s program in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences at the University of Bern, where I am delighted to be part of the Paradisi group.
My master’s project focuses on enzyme engineering to enhance L-lysine cyclodeaminase versatility and broaden its substrate scope for sustainable synthesis. The goal is to improve enzymatic processes for greener production of pivotal substrates in pharmaceutical synthesis.
I am a Master’s student in Molecular Life Sciences specializing in Biochemistry at the University of Bern. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from King Abdulaziz University. My academic journey is driven by a passion for prebiotic chemistry, the origin of life, and astrobiology. During the Young Scientists Summer Program at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, I conducted a project titled “The Landscape of Ester-Bonding Chemicals”. In my free time, I am deeply passionate about cinema, photography, and traveling, which fuel my creativity and curiosity about the world.
I joined the Paradisi Group in 2024 to explore and deepen my understanding of enzyme-mediated catalytic processes. My research focuses on the discovery and characterization of novel tryptophanases for innovative biocatalytic applications, particularly through the study of structure-function relationships, catalytic mechanisms, and enzyme engineering. Through this work, I aim to gain enzymatic insights that can also be applied to early catalytic processes.
After finishing the Bachelor in Biochemistry at the University of Fribourg, I moved to Bern for the Master in Molecular Biology with specialization in Chemical Biology and finally, I stayed to pursue a PhD degree. I am passionate about cinema and informatics and in my spare time I enjoy playing music.
My reasearch area is the interface between organometallic catalysis and biocatalysis, with a specific focus on investigating the potential of an Iridium PYE complex to function as a NADH mimic.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Russian Technological University MIREA. I did my Bachelor’s project at the Research Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, where I also worked as a laboratory assistant for six months. In 2023, I embarked on my Master’s journey at the University of Bern, where in 2024 I was fortunate to join the Paradisi group. In my spare time, I indulge in my lifelong passion for dancing, which began at the tender age of 3. Additionally, I dedicate part of my free time to tutoring, where I share my love for chemistry with children.
Joining this research group opened doors for me to transition my research focus from chemistry to biochemistry and bioinformatics. Within the scope of my Master’s project, primarily centered on aromatic amino acids decarboxylases, I integrate wet lab experiments and in silico analyses to advance the development of innovative biocatalysts.
After finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Bern, I decided to continue my studies in Bern to obtain a Master’s degree in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences. For my Master thesis, I joined the Paradisi group due to my interest in synthetic organic chemistry and biocatalysis. In my spare time you can find me at the gym, on the basketball court, spending time with friends, or at home enjoying a good anime or series.
My research focuses on the redox biocatalytic synthesis of cyclic chiral amines. The project starts with a purely synthetic part, where I will synthesize 6-aminohexan-2-ol analogues. These will be used as substrates for the redox biocatalysis, which is based on an elegant interplay between an alcohol dehydrogenase and an imine reductase, allowing for cofactor regeneration.
I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the university of Geneva before joining the university of Bern due to its overall medicinal aspect. I am interested in the enzymatic and sustainable perspective of biosynthesis and the potential application in pharmaceutics. In my spare time I am a gymnastics coach and practice climbing/mountaineering. I recently have taken on various challenges such as marathon or triathlon to push myself further, but you can also find me relaxing by the lake or around a bonfire with my friends, enjoying a cold beer.
My research focuses on investigating L-Lysine Cyclodeaminase analogues and their potential use for production of L-Pipecolic acid. LPA is an important building block for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals such as anaesthetics and immunosuppressants, but its chemical synthesis is unsustainable. A key point the Paradisi group is focusing on.