Prof. Craparo is Associate Professor of Pharmacoeconomics, Medicines Regulation and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Palermo, Italy.
At present, she is teacher of “Medicinal Products and Laboratory of Galenic Preparations” and “Pharmacoeconomics” in the Pharmacy degree course.
Her research focuses on the development and characterization of biopolymers and innovative pharmaceutical systems, such as nano- and microstructured systems, designed to control and target the release of biologically active substances, including drugs, and genes, for application in precision medicine, particularly in the treatment of pulmonary and cancer diseases.
She has actively participates in multidisciplinary research projects funded through European programs in the fields of RNA delivery and technologies, nanomedicine, precision medicine, and advanced drug delivery systems including RNA-NEXT, the National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology (PNRR), HEAL ITALIA, and other MIUR- and PNRR-funded initiatives. She currently serves as the UNIPA’s representative for the “Advanced OPhThalmic medIcal devices from PLATelet-enriched umbilical cord plasma - OPTIPLAT” project, funded by the Interreg VI-A Italy–Malta Programme.
She is author of 97 peer-reviewed publications, with an H-index of 36 and over 3,000 citations (Scopus, September 2026).

Alfredo de la Escosura-Muñiz holds a PhD in Chemistry (2006) from the University of Oviedo (Spain). Most of his post-doctoral career has been spent at Prof. Merkoçi’s group at ICN2 (Barcelona, Spain), where he specialized in Nanobiosensors. He has participated in +25 national and international projects (5 as PI) and is the coauthor of over 100 scientific publications (+4800 citations; h-index: 42, according to ISI Web of Science) and 4 patents. As of December 2023, he holds a position as Associate Professor in the Nanobioanalysis Group, Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University of Oviedo (Spain) where he is also the Group Leader. His research interests focus on the development of biosensing systems based on nanoparticles and nanochannels for point-of-care diagnostic applications

PhD in Chemical Sciences. Full Professor at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Head of the Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) in Barcelona (Spain).
Her research focuses on Nanotechnology applied to health (Nanomedicine), particularly on the development of advanced nanophotonic biosensor technologies for the early and decentralized diagnosis of diseases. She is widely regarded as one of the world leading experts in this field. She has published more than 300 scientific papers and has delivered more than 530 invited lectures. One of her most noteworthy aspects is her translational approach, characterized by significant and successful technology transfer work, including the management of eight patent families, four industrial trade secrets and the creation of three spin-off companies: Sensia, SL (2004) BIOD, SL (2010) and Eroica Dx (2025).
Throughout her distinguished career she has received numerous awards and distinctions, including Spain’s two most prestigious scientific awards: the 2020 National Research Award for Technology Transfer (the first woman to receive it) and the 2020 King Jaume I Award for New Technologies. She has also received the Physics, Innovation and Technology Award from the Royal Spanish Physical Society and the BBVA Foundation, the 2022 National Nanotechnology Award, and the Lilly Foundation Award for Biomedical Research. She has been awarded honorary doctorates (Doctor Honoris Causa) by the University of Cádiz and the University of León (the first woman to receive this distinction at the latter).
She serves as an advisor to leading biomedical and scientific research institutes in Spain and internationally, as well as to business schools and private companies. In addition, she has carried out extensive science outreach for more than 25 years and is considered one of the pioneers of scientific communication in Spain, with hundreds of appearances on television and radio, press interviews, and public lectures and articles. She is the author of the book “Una científica saltando vallas”, aimed at encouraging STEM vocations among girls and young women.

Antonio Lopalco earned a Master’s degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Bari and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Palermo. He is Associate Professor in Pharmaceutical Technology at the Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences in Bari. At the University of Kansas, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher and research associate in Professor Valentino Stella’s laboratory, conducting kinetic and physicochemical studies of α-keto acids and boronic acids. His current research focuses on paediatric formulations and direct powder extrusion 3D printing. He is author of over 90 publications and inventor of several patents.

Dr. Fernando Novio graduated in Chemistry from the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). He obtained his PhD in chemistry (2007) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Then he moved to the Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC) in Toulouse (France) for his postdoctoral stage (2008-2010), and from 2011 to 2021 he joined the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), as Senior Researcher. From 2022 he is Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department at UAB and Visiting Senior Researcher at ICN2. His research subject is related principally to the technological and biomedical application of coordination polymer nanoparticles and other polymer-based nanoformulations.

Francesco Puoci is Full Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Italy. His research focuses on advanced drug-delivery systems, nanomedicine, biomaterials, controlled-release technologies and non-viral platforms for nucleic-acid delivery. His work combines pharmaceutical technology, polymer and lipid-based carrier design, microfluidic formulation and physicochemical characterization, with particular interest in translating material engineering into innovative therapeutic and health-related applications. He is also involved in technology transfer, patent valorization and university–industry collaboration, supporting the development of research-driven innovation and academic spin-off initiatives.

Senior Scientist in Plasmapps Srl (since 2012)
R&D Manager, Specialist of Low Pressure Plasma Processes and Surface analysis.
Senior Scientist in Plasma Solution Srl (2006 – 2012)
Fellowship with the University of Bari, Department of Chemistry (2004-2006)
2001-2003 PhD Studies (Master of Science): University of Bristol Faculty of Medicine- Department of Oral and Dental Science
2000-2003 Fellowship with IHCP at the JRC Ispra
Fellowship with INSTM
Plasma Specialist at Microcoat Srl (Sedriano (MI))
1998/99 Professor of Chemistry at University of Bari
1999 Master Degree in Chemistry (110/110 CUM LAUDE)
Patents: WO2012063117 PROCESS FOR CARRYING-OUT ANTI-COUNTERFEITING LABELS PROVIDED WITH INVISIBLE IDENTIFYING SIGNS
ITMI20110538 METODO PER LA MODULAZIONE DEL COEFFICIENTE DI ATTRITO DI UN PEZZO IN GOMMA
ITBA20090035 PULITURA DEI TESSUTI DI POLIESTERE, ACETATO E RELATIVE MISTE MEDIANTE PROCESSI PLASMOCHIMICI.

Dr. Ziberi is a full time professor at the Physics department of Physics, University of Tetova.
He earned his PhD in 2006 at the University of Leipzig in Germany. From 2002 until July 2010 he worked as a scientific employee at the Leibniz Institute for surface modification in Leipzig, Germany, on surface engineering and nanostructuring of different materials using low energy ion beams. Dr. Ziberi is board member of the institute Alb-Shkenca and of the NanoAlb excellence group. He was a Fulbright scholar in 2018 at Harvard Medical school, DFCI, BWH, working on combination of radiotherapy and imunnotherapy using immunogenic biomaterials loaded with nanoparticles for cancer treatment. He is a Global Health Catalyst and member of the Global Oncology University. Dr. Ziberi is a co-founder of Quantum Theranostics Inc. in USA working in quantum technology and is a co-inventor of 28 provisional patents.