Group

Staff

Valentina Beghetto

Associate Professor
Founder of Crossing Srl, a spin-off of Ca' Foscari University of Venice

Her research interests are mainly devoted to the development of innovative products & Processes within the principles of Green Organic Chemistry and Circular Economy. Main topics regard the synthesis and functionalization of bio-based polymers, catalytic transformation of biomass in high value chemicals, modification of surfaces with antimicrobial coatings. She has a deep knowledge of the Leather industry and the development of low impact processes and products, as documented by the many EU funded projects and publications. She has over 150 among publications, patents and congress communications. Responsible of the third mission for DSMN, National Coordinator of the Doctorate of National Interest for Desing for Made in Italy, Coordinator for UNIVE of the Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Reattività Chimiche e la Catalisi [ITA], is coordinator and partner of various National and European projects dealing with environmentally friendly technologies from biomass products and Circular Economy Best Practices. She teaches Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry for the Leather Industry, Pigments and Dyes in the cultural heritage. Coordinator of a research group of 12 people, collaborates with National and International Partners. Since 2014 founder of Crossing Ltd Winner of many awards specialized in innovative products/processes for sustainable manufacturing.

Stefano Paganelli

Associate Professor

His main research activity is based on the study of catalytic processes for the preparation of fine chemicals, such as intermediates for fragrances, pharmaceuticals and pesticides. In particular, chemo-and regioselective hydrogenation, hydroformylation, carbonylation and other carbon-carbon bond formation reactions are studied. In view of a green and sustainable chemistry these reactions are preferably conducted in water or in water-organic solvent biphasic system using water-soluble catalysts, readily separable from the reaction products and recycled. Moreover, mono-, bi- and polymetallic heterogeneous catalytic species with a low metal content of metal have been recently prepared and employed in the preparations of fine chemicals. In the view of a circular economy, polymetallic mixtures used for the preparation of these catalysts have been recovered from waste materials as exhausted converters and WEEE.

Barbara Vicentini

Technical administrative staff

She is a laboratory technician, and her activity consists in assisting with the experimental tests of the research group she collaborates with. In addition, she helps with educational workshops and also takes care of the Third Mission of the Department by organizing and participating in activities concerning relations with local schools.

Postdocs

Valeria Gagliardi

Valeria Gagliardi

Postdoc fellow

She achieved the PhD in Material Science for Environment, Energy and Health at Tor Vergata University in 2024 (Rome). She started working in this group on the Interreg Italia-Austria MICROALPS project which is focused on the recovery and the recycling of microplastic in the Alpine environment, using her expertise in material characterizations. 
At the same time, she is investigating the synthesis of new organophosphorus flame retardants compound, exploring the synergism of the P-N compound in multiple kind of molecules, as former research fellow financed by the Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Reattività Chimiche e la Catalisi [ITA].

PhD students

Domenico Piccolo

Sustainable Chemistry (CHIM/03), 41° PhD cycle, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice 

His research focuses on the development of new multifunctional phosphorus based molecules for flame retardancy and optical applications. 
He achieved his master’s degree in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. His academic background is specialized in luminescent inorganic and organic compounds, with specific expertise in metal complex synthesis and chemical and photophysical characterization of such compounds by means of NMR, fluorimetry; ATR, TGA, DSC.

Gioele Foltran

Gioele Foltran

Design for Made in Italy: Identity, Innovation, and Sustainability (CHIM/04; NRRP-funded), 40° PhD cycle, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

His research focuses on the development of innovative systems for the valorisation of agro-industrial waste. He holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, where he graduated (110/110 cum laude). His academic background is focused on industrial organic chemistry and green chemistry, with specific expertise in bio-based fillers for biodegradable biopolymers and sustainable additives for industrial applications. Driven by a strong interest in R&D and circular economy, Gioele is committed to bridging the gap between chemical innovation and environmental sustainability.

Rachele Rampazzo

Rachele Rampazzo

Design for Made in Italy: Identity, Innovation, and Sustainability (CHIM/04), 39° PhD cycle, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

PhD in Design for Made in Italy: Identity, Innovation, and Sustainability with a research focus on the valorisation of biomass as a key component for biomedical applications, including antibacterial coatings, antibacterial drug delivery systems, and industrial packaging. She achieved her bachelor and master’s degree in Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Her academic background is specialized in organic chemistry, with particular expertise in post-functionalization of polymers for drug delivery applications with specific expertise in different  characterization techniques such as ATR, TGA, DSC, DMA and DLS. Rachele also completed a visiting research period at the University of Groningen (RUG), The Netherlands, focusing on the synthesis of antibacterial polymers for coating applications.

Domenico Santandrea

Domenico Santandrea

Design for Made in Italy: Identity, Innovation, and Sustainability (CHIM/04; NRRP-funded), 38° PhD cycle, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

PhD in Design for Made in Italy: Identity, Innovation, and Sustainability (NRRP-funded), focused on grafting and chemical functionalization of cellulose derivatives for sustainable packaging and water treatment applications. He also carried out a visiting research period at Université Grenoble Alpes (France) on nanocellulose derivatives. Author of six scientific publications in organic synthesis and cellulose chemistry, with participation in several international conferences.

Research fellows

Her research is focused on the preparation and characterization of biocomposite materials. She achieved a master’s degree in chemistry and Sustainable Technologies in July 2024, and she is currently working as a research fellow.

She graduated with a master's degree in ‘Sustainable Chemistry and Technologies for Circular Economy’ at the University of Padova. Her research at Ca’Foscari University focuses on the biodegradation and disintegration of biocomposites derived from industrial by-products and includes chemical characterization during these processes.

She is now focused on the research of new tanning agents, biopolymer-based, and their application in tanning chemistry. She holds a master’s degree in chemistry with an organic curriculum from the University of Pisa, where she graduated with top honours (110/110). Her academic background is deeply rooted in organic synthesis, purification, and characterization, complemented by extensive hands-on experience with advanced analytical techniques such as NMR, GC-MS, and HPLC.

Subject experts

She achieved the master’s degree in Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in March 2015 (cum laude) and started with the synthesis and application of ACLs in various fields, from tanning to antimicrobial treatment of surfaces such as steel and plastics. She is now involved in the formulation of biocomposites from agricultural waste for the production of biobased and biodegradable polymers. She is also an expert in product and process ecodesign and sustainability.

Her research is focused on the development of new reagents of "cross-linking activators" or "ACL", capable of cross-linking a variety of materials of natural and/or synthetic origin. She is expert in organic synthesis and characterization of organic and complex materials. She achieved the master’s degree in chemistry and Sustainable Technologies in October 2015 (cum laude).

Graduated in Chemical Sciences at Ca' Foscari University in Venice, she continued her studies by obtaining a PhD in Chemistry. She gained experience in various aspects of sustainability but specialised in the field of gas barrier coatings and biodegradation-disintegration tests. Thanks to her university education and previous business experiences, she also deals with ecodesign and product and process sustainability.


Collaborations with Research Centres and Associations

Collaborations with companies and business networks