As a medicinal chemist with postdoctoral experience in CADD, I've spent over 20 years advancing AI-driven methods for virtual screening. I'm a recognized leader in receptor-based VS.
With an extensive and accomplished career in medicinal chemistry, I bring experience to the field. My academic journey commenced with a Master's degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Technologies, followed by a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry, both earned from the prestigious University of Naples "Federico II."
Over the years, I advanced from the role of Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and eventually attained the position of Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli. My contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by receiving the "Best Young Researcher in Medicinal Chemistry" award from the Italian Chemical Society in 2013. Additionally, I have secured national scientific qualifications for both associate and full professor roles and achieved successful evaluations for prestigious ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants.
My international experience includes a postdoctoral research stint at the Scripps Research Institute in the United States, where I collaborated in Dr. A. J. Olson's laboratory. This exposure enabled me to develop innovative methods and make significant contributions to the field of in-silico medicinal chemistry.
Beyond my research pursuits, I have actively participated in mentoring and leadership, co-supervising Ph.D. students and overseeing postdoctoral fellows. My extensive scientific production comprises 128 articles in ISI peer-reviewed journals, boasting an H-index of 37 and accumulating over 4000 total citations. Invitations to present at various conferences and contributions through review articles underscore my impact in the field.
Transitioning to an independent researcher, I have successfully led and funded my laboratory. With my comprehensive background, academic achievements, and substantial contributions in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, I offer valuable consultancy services for those seeking guidance and insights.
Performed advanced research in the field of receptor-based drug design, published papers, collaborated with top scientists in the field, and developed new methods in computational chemistry.
Teach advanced courses, lead research, serve on committees, mentor, engage with the public, secure funding, and provide leadership and expertise in their field.
In a noteworthy case study, I recently achieved a significant milestone in drug discovery by licensing an antitumor molecule to a leading pharmaceutical company. This promising molecule, derived from my in-silico studies, has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical studies. The decision to enter into a licensing agreement reflects a deliberate effort to expedite the translation of this discovery from the laboratory to real-world clinical applications. Successful negotiations with a reputable pharmaceutical company underscore the practical implications of my research, marking a pivotal step toward advancing innovative solutions in cancer therapeutics. This case study exemplifies the effective intersection of scientific expertise, entrepreneurial insight, and dedicated pursuit of advancements in drug discovery.
Over the years I have been involved in the development of new VS methods for drug discovery. Results of these studies resulted in several publications demonstrating my ability in discovery of new biologically active chemotypes for different therapeutically relevant targets.