Chiara ZAGNI
Keywords
Organic Synthesis; Drugs, Catalysts, CO2, Cryogels, Polymers
Chiara Zagni is Assistant Professor (RTT, tenure-track) of Organic Chemistry at the University of Catania, where her research focuses on novel catalysts and polymeric materials capable of capturing and converting CO2, at the interface of organic synthesis, materials chemistry, and green chemistry. She earned her Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology and her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Catania, where she trained in the design and synthesis of potential anticancer and antiviral drugs. A two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Cell Biology laboratory at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA) drew her toward the molecular mechanisms of cancer, before she returned to Italy — via the CNR Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials — where she developed new polymeric materials for antimicrobial and environmental applications, from water purification to CO2 capture.
She holds the Italian National Scientific Qualification for both Full Professor and Associate Professor (03/C1). She serves as a reviewer for numerous international scientific journals, sits on the editorial board of international journals, and is regularly invited to speak at international conferences in her field.
Chiara Zagni is Assistant Professor (RTT, tenure-track) of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, and holds the Italian National Scientific Qualification for both Full Professor and Associate Professor (ASN 03/C1, 2026-2038 and 2023-2034 respectively). She earned her Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (2007) and her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences (2011), both from the University of Catania.
Her early research focused on the design and multi-step synthesis of modified nucleosides and functionalized heterocycles with antitumor and antiviral activity. She then broadened her training with a postdoctoral fellowship at the School of Dentistry, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA, 2011-2012), studying the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression.
After returning to Italy, she built a long-standing collaboration with the CNR Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB-CNR, Catania), developing functional polymeric materials — cryogels and macroporous networks obtained via cryo-radical polymerization — for antimicrobial, pharmaceutical and environmental applications, from water purification to CO2 capture. Her current research focuses on novel organic catalysts and polymeric materials for CO2 capture and conversion, at the interface of organic chemistry, materials chemistry and green chemistry, with a strong emphasis on sustainable, real-world applicable solutions.
She has authored over 55 publications in international journals, serves as a reviewer for numerous international scientific journals, sits on the editorial board of international journals, and is regularly invited to speak at international conferences in her field.
- Synthesis of catalysts for promoting key organic reactions, including C–C cross-coupling and reduction reactions.
- Development of polymer-based systems (nanocarriers, nanosponges, and hydrogels) for controlled drug delivery and release.
- Synthesis of polymeric materials and catalysts capable of capturing CO2 and converting it into valuable organic molecules.
- Synthesis of hydrogels and cryogels as polymeric materials for the removal of pollutants and water purification.