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Cillin Mac Donnchadha (MSc, 2009), LEO Pharma, Dublin, IE
Dr. Elaine O’Reilly (PhD, 2010), Associate Professor, University College Dublin, IE
Dr. Gabriele Gucciardo (PhD, 2010), Team Leader, Almac Group, Northern Ireland, UK
Dr. Sabrina Devereux (PhD, 2010), Associate Director, Carrick Therapeutics, Ireland, IE
Dr. Leanne Timpson (PhD, 2011), Lecturer, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
Dr. Daniela Quaglia (PhD, 2012), Assistant Professor, UQAM, Montréal, Canada
Dr. Philip Conway (PhD, 2012), Site Lead, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cork, IE
Dr. Lara Pes (PhD, 2013), Sustainability Program Manager, Weill Cornell Medical College, NY, USA
Dr. Keith Robertson (PhD, 2013), Technical Development Chemist, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cork, IE
Dr. Diya Alsafadi (PhD, 2013), Director of Research, Royal Scientific Society, Jordan
Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (PhD, 2015), Program Manager, Irish Research Council, Dublin, IE
Dr. Anita Wester (PhD, 2016), Senior Scientist, Gubra, Hørsholm, DK
Dr. Matteo Planchestainer (PhD, 2017), Senior Scientist, FHNW, Basel, CH
Dr. Larah Bruen (PhD, 2018) Senior Technical Support Scientist at Abbott Diagnostics Division, Longford
Dr. David Roura Padrosa (PhD, 2019), CEO and co-founder of inSEIT, Bern, CH
Dr. Eimear Hegarty (PhD, 2019), Post Doctoral Researcher, University of Bern, CH
Dr. Nourah Almulhim (PhD, 2021), Assistant Professor at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Dr. Lidia Delgado (PhD, 2021), Project Officer JRC-EC, Brussels, Belgium
Dr. Christian Heckmann (PhD, 2021), Post Doctoral Researcher, TU Delft, The Netherlands
Calvin Klein (MSc, 2021), PhD Student, University of Bern, CH
Moritz Dieffenbacher (MSc, 2021), Pharmacist, Ilfisapotheke, Langnau, CH
Jérémie Reusser (MSc, 2022), PhD Student University of Bern, CH
Dr. Valentina Marchini (PhD, 2022), Pharmacist, Farmacia Orlandini, San Doná di Piave, IT
Nik Lüpold (MSc, 2023), Borer Chemie, Solothurn, CH
Sofia Hutter (MSc, 2023), Synthesis AG, Zurich, CH
Sabrina De Lorenzo (MSc, 2023), University of Bern, CH
Dr. Stefania Gianolio (PhD, 2023), Global Regulatory Specialist, Syngenta, Basel, CH
Kaja Stalder (MSc, 2024), PhD Student, NMBU, Oslo, Norway
Dr. Lucia Robustini (PhD 2024), Scientist, CSL Behring, Bern, CH
Dr. Lauriane Pillet (PhD 2024), Bioconjugates Process Expert, Lonza, Visp, CH
Dr. Kevin Devine, Senior Lecturer, London Metropolitan University, UK
Dr. Daniele Balducci, Chemistry Teacher, Urbino, Italy
Dr. Jennifer Cassidy, Irish Research Council, IE
Dr. Elena Lestini, Data Scientist, Global, London, UK
Dr. Ann-Kathrin Liliensiek, Director of Scientific Affairs, CLINACT, Paris, France
Dr. Maeve O’Neill, Head of R&D, Cellular Agriculture Ltd, Corsham, UK
Dr. Eimear Hegarty, Post Doc, ZHAW, Zurich, CH
Dr. Martina Letizia Contente, Associate 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)
2025: Filippo Preti (MSc 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 studied Chemistry at LMU Munich, where I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. After the first COVID lockdown in 2020, I moved to Tarragona, Spain, to start my PhD at ICIQ with Professor Paolo Melchiorre. During this time, I became fascinated by the potential of enzymatic catalysis in non-natural transformations. Since February 2024, I’ve been a postdoc in Professor Paradisi’s group. I enjoy spending my free time outdoors, particularly hiking and swimming.
My current research is directed towards the development of novel photobiocatalytic methodologies and their implementation in continuous flow systems.
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 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.
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.
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.
I graduated in 2024 with a degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, completing my thesis in organic synthesis. My research focused on developing innovative linkers for controlled drug release under ionizing radiation. Sustainability has always been at the core of my scientific interests, and in biocatalysis, I found a way to advance traditional synthetic processes toward a greener and more efficient future. Beyond research, I love listening to music, especially at live performances, going to the cinema and spending time outdoors, hiking or simply enjoying good company with friends.
In February 2025, I joined the group as a PhD student, starting my research on the enzyme tryptophanase to develop efficient and sustainable biocatalytic strategies for synthetic processes.
Coming from the land of fire and ice, Iceland, I earned my bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Tampa in Florida. It was there that I first discovered the potential of using enzymes in green chemistry. Driven by a desire to deepen my knowledge, I pursued a master’s degree in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology at KTH in Stockholm, Sweden, with a focus on enzyme technology. During my time in Stockholm, I had the opportunity to work in a fast-paced biocatalysis startup, further strengthening my passion for the field. Beyond my academic pursuits, I have a pet sourdough starter and enjoy baking bread and sewing clothes. I also love spending time in nature and skiing during the winter season.
In March 2025, I joined the Paradisi group as a PhD student in Biocatalysis. My research is focused on enzyme discovery and application in chemical synthesis. I am passionate about transforming the chemical industry by integrating more sustainable processes for the betterment of the planet.
I am from Vignola, Italy. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Bologna. Then, I continued my education in the field of Industrial Chemistry and in 2015 I obtained the Master’s Degree from University of Bologna focusing on synthetic organic chemistry. After a couple of years spent as Research Scientist in two different companies, in 2018 I joined Evotec in the API Development group in Verona, Italy, where I’m still employed as Principal Scientist. There, I had the opportunity to combine my passion about chemical processes and organic synthesis. Outside the lab, I like hiking and reading. I’m also passionate about basketball, football and motorcycles.
In 2025 I joined the Paradisi group as an industrial PhD student. My research is focused on biocatalysis application in the synthesis of API and pharmaceutically relevant compounds and intermediates.