Rosaria ACQUAVIVA

Acquaviva Rosaria graduated in Pharmacy, University of Catania, Italy. - 1998 she gained her doctorate in Pharmaceutical Science, University of Catania, Italy. - 1999 Speciality in Chimica e Tecnologie Alimentari, University of Catania, Italy. - 1999-2001 Post-Doctoral fellow in Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Catania, Italy - 2000 Scientific Responsible of study: “Natural antioxidants contained in Sicily red orange extract”, University of Catania, Italy. - 2002    Scientific Responsible of study: “Status Antioxidants in diseases”, University of Catania, Italy. - 2000-2007 Research Fellow of Biochemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Catania, Italy - 2005-2020 Professor Fellow of Pharmaceutical Botanic, School of Pharmacy, University of Catania, Italy. - 2007 she was employed as researche (SSD BIO 15) at the Biochemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Catania, Italy.
Associate Professor of Biologia Vegetale e Animale (Corso A-L), CdLM Farmacia (Course A-L); CdLM  Chimica e Tecnologia Farmaceutiche (Course A-Z).
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Botanic, CdL SFA.
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Biology, CdL Biotecnologie
Associate Professor   Biologia Farmaceutica, CdL in Biotecnologie.
Her scientific research has principally been on: - Synthesis and characterization of polyamines (con IR, UV, NMR, HPLC); - Toxicity of ROS; - Natural antioxidant; - Oxidative stress; - Role of oxidative stress in cerebral post-ischemic reperfusion damage; - Role of oxidative stress in hepatic post-ischemic reperfusion damage; - Apoptosis and heat shock proteins (HSP 70, HO-1); - Markers of colon cancer; To date, she studies the markers of oxidative stress, mecchanism of action of natural/synthesis antioxidant s and the development of new therapeutic strategies.

ACCADEMIC ROLE:

2024.           Full Professor of Plant Biology and Animal; Pharmaceutical Botanic

2015-2024 Associate Professor of Plant Biology and Animal; Pharmaceutical Botanic

2016-2023 Coordinator of CdL SFA

Member of PhD: “Basic and Applied Biomedical Sciences” (Università degli Studi di Catania).

Member of Spin off NaCTUre s.r.l.

Member GEV area 05 (Scienze Biologiche), ANVUR 2020-2022

RESEARCH PROJECTS:

Scientific responsible for the research project: "Mechanism of action of some molecules, with antioxidant activity, contained in the blood orange of Sicily" as the winner of a two-year funding under the "Progetto Giovani Ricercatori-Anno 1998" (University of Catania) (September 26, 2000);

Scientific responsible for the research project: "Antioxidant status in subjects with diseases" as a winner of a two-year grant under the "Young Researchers Project-Year 1999" (University of Catania) (February 12, 2002);

Component of the project "Potential effects of blood orange juice: "in vitro" assays (MIUR-MIPAF);

Component of the project "Biomonitoring on humans and animals" (ARPA-SICILIA). Results were published in the official journal of the Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment-Sicily (ARPA-Sicilia) num. 16, June 2008

Component of the project "Metabolic syndrome: molecular mechanisms" (PRA 2008)

Component of the project "Regulation of cell proliferation: effect of natural molecules" (PRA 2007)

Component of the project "Molecules involved in cell proliferation" (PRA 2006)

Scientific leader of the project "Effect of protocatechuic acid on human colon cancer cell lines" (A. 2012)

Component of the project "Role of oxidative stress and HO-1 in diabetes complications: effect of natural substances and/or their synthetic derivatives in an in vivo experimental model" (FIR 2014)

Scientific Respondent of the Project "In vivo Study of Hadron Treatments of Mammary Cancer in Mice (PETS_PrEclinical hadronTherapy Studies)" (INFN collaboration) (2016-2021)

Responsible for the Scientific Project "Analysis of hormonal stress in radiotherapy by charged particles (ANSIA)" (in collaboration ENEA-INFN) (2016-2018)

Scientific Project Manager: "Effect of Betula aetnensis Rafin. extract on human colon cancer cell lines" (Mani Amiche onlus) (2018-2019)

Scientific lead of the project ""Evaluation of the protective effects of a blood orange extract (ROC-H) in an in vitro model of grape/uvb-induced photoaging" (2020)

Scientific responsible for the Project, "Natural substances such as protocatechuic acid and its encapsulation in nanoparticle systems: cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects in colon carcinoma cells before and after radiotherapy. (Pleasure, University of Catania) (2020-2022)

Scientific responsible for the Project: - "Characterization and evaluation of the biological effects of an extract of aerial parts of Capparis spinosa L. in two in vitro models of inflammation and allergy" (2021-2022)

SCIENTIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND IN NATIONAL ACADEMIES OR SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES OR RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS: 

- Assignment of association and responsibility to research activities within Group 5 at the National Laboratories of the South (

REFEREE: Phillip Morris, Microsurgery, Chinese Journal Physiology, Clinical Nutrition, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Digestive and Liver Disease Editorial Board: World journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology (WJGP)
Scientific works: several papers published in principal international journals. - 
 

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:

Oxygen toxicity and scavengers of partially reduced forms of oxygen in different biological systems and pathophysiological conditions; Apoptosis and stress proteins;
Prevention of hepatic, cerebral and renal ischemia and reperfusion damage. Study of natural substances with antioxidant activity and their therapeutic use; Preparation of extracts and identification of active ingredients in natural extracts; Characterization of biological activity and mechanisms of action of plant extracts and natural substances; Characterization of biological activity and mechanisms of action of extracts in cancer lines and in dysmetabolic diseases;

Scientific activity is documented by numerous publications, all ISI-reviewed, endowed with I.F., communications to National and International Congresses, and 5 books.

Catania 7 Giugno 2024

Last edit: 05/18/2023

- ROS toxicity and scavengers systems in different biological systems and physio-pathological conditions;

- Apoptosis and stress proteins;

- Prevention of damage from ischemia and hepatic, cerebral and renal reperfusion;

- Study of medicinal and edible plants;

- Study of natural substances with antioxidant activity and their therapeutic use;

- Characterization of biological activity and mechanisms of action of plant extracts and natural substances;

- Characterization of biological activity and mechanisms of action of extracts in tumor lines and in dysmetabolic pathologies.
 

Catania 16 Aprile 2023