Francesca Paradisi
Francesca Paradisi is an Italian chemist for her contributions to biocatalysis and sustainable pharmaceutical chemistry. She currently serves as a full Professor of Sustainable Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Bern in Switzerland.[1]
Early Life and Education
She was born in Bologna, Italy (16/09/1974). Paradisi pursued her studies in chemistry at the University of Bologna. She completed her Master's thesis in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Cainelli and earned her Ph.D. in 2002, focusing on the synthesis of non-natural amino acids in Professor Sandri's laboratory.[2]
Academic Career
- University College Dublin (UCD): After her Ph.D., Paradisi joined Professor Paul Engel's group at UCD as a postdoctoral fellow, delving into biocatalysis. She briefly worked at Enzolve Technologies in 2005, developing enzymes for neonatal screening. In 2006, she was appointed College Lecturer in Chemical Biology at UCD's School of Chemistry, later advancing to Senior Lecturer in 2014.[3]
- University of Nottingham: In February 2016, Paradisi became an Associate Professor in Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering at the University of Nottingham's School of Chemistry. During this period, she expanded her research and established a new laboratory in the UK.
- University of Bern: In 2019, Paradisi accepted the position of Professor of Sustainable Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Bern, where she continues her research in biocatalysis and sustainable chemistry.[4][5]
Research Contributions
Paradisi's research focuses on developing alternative biocatalysts for synthetic and industrial applications. She has a particular interest in enzymes from extremophilic organisms, especially those adapted to high-salt environments, which exhibit unique properties such as tolerance to organic solvents and remarkable stability. Her work encompasses enzyme discovery, characterization, evolution, and the development of tailored immobilization strategies for use in batch and flow systems.[6]
Publications and Patents
Throughout her career, Paradisi has authored numerous research articles, book chapters, and patents in the fields of biocatalysis and enzyme engineering.[7][8] Her publications are accessible through various academic platforms, including ResearchGate and Google Scholar.[9] Francesca Paradisi is a co-founder and key scientific advisor of inSEIT AG, a spin-off company from the University of Bern dedicated to developing and commercializing immobilized enzymes for sustainable industrial applications. Established in 2022, inSEIT under Paradisi's scientific guidance, focuses on harnessing the potential of enzyme immobilization to create efficient and sustainable biocatalytic processes, contributing to a more environmentally friendly chemical industry.[10]
Honors and Awards
Francesca Paradisi has been recognized for her significant contributions to green and sustainable chemistry. Notably, she received the following awards:
- ACS Sustainability Star, 2024[11]
- In November 2022 she was part of the Italian delegation in Bern to welcome Sergio Mattarella president of the Italian republic.[12]
- SCS Green & Sustainable Chemistry Award 2021: Presented by the Swiss Chemical Society and Syngenta, this award honors her groundbreaking work in developing eco-friendly and ultra-efficient biotransformations for synthesizing high-value chemicals, significantly enhancing the applicability of biocatalysis. This highlights her commitment to advancing sustainable practices within the field of chemistry.[13]
- Wellcome Prime Fellowship – University of Nottingham, UK, 2018[14]
- Awarded Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), UK, 2016[15]
Professional Memberships
Paradisi is a member of several professional organizations, including
- The Royal Society of Chemistry
- The American Chemical Society
- The Swiss Chemical Society
- The Flow Chemistry Society
Personal Life
Outside her professional endeavors, Paradisi is a mother of two children. She enjoys skiing and swimming and resides with her family, including a cat and a whippet named Bruno.[16]
References
- ↑ "Prof. Dr. Francesca Paradisi". Departement für Chemie, Biochemie und Pharmazie. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ "About". Paradisi Research. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ Paradisi, Francesca (November 1, 2024). "An Interview with Francesca Paradisi". Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification. 205. Bibcode:2024CEPPI.20509914P. doi:10.1016/j.cep.2024.109914 – via ScienceDirect. Unknown parameter
|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ "ORCID". orcid.org.
- ↑ "Francesca Paradisi". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 63 (26). March 4, 2024. Bibcode:2024ACIE...63E7055.. doi:10.1002/anie.202407055. PMID 38746979 Check
|pmid=value (help) – via Wiley Online Library. Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - ↑ "Francesca Paradisi".
- ↑ "Amino acid dehydrogenase-derived biocatalysts".
- ↑ "Angiotensin-(1-7) analogs and methods relating thereto".
- ↑ "Francesca Paradisi". scholar.google.es. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ "Inseit | Enzyme Immobilization". Inseit. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ "ACS sustainability star". X. 2024-07-18. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
|Authors list=missing|1=(help) - ↑ https://www.elsevier.com/researcheracademy/stories/women-in-science/francesca-paradisi
- ↑ "Swiss Chemical Society - Green & SusChem Award 2021 to Francesca Paradisi, University of Bern". scg.ch. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
- ↑ "Current scholars". www.nottingham.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ↑ "Senior Fellowship | Advance HE". www.advance-he.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
- ↑ "About".
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