Researcher at the Institute of Food Production (ISPA), CNR, Lecce, Italy. Education: 2017: National Scientific Qualification as associate professor in botany, sector 05/A1-BIO/01; 2007: PhD Degree in Biology and Biotechnology, Lecce University, Italy; 2002: Master degree in Biological Sciences, Lecce University, Italy. Work experiences: 2012-2016: Postdoctoral fellowship at the CNR-ISPA; 2010-2011: Fellowship at the CNR-ISPA; 2008-2010: Postdoctoral fellowship at the CNR-ISPA; 2004-2006: Research contract at the Lecce University. Research interests: Preparation of plant matrices for the extraction of bioactive compounds through innovative systems; Encapsulation of oils in alginate and/or cyclodextrins for novel functional food formulation; Evaluation of antioxidant activity, lipids and bioactive compounds from plant extracts by GC-MS and HPLC; Production of secondary metabolites using plant cell cultures. Awards: 2017: Top reviewers for institution CNR; 2016: Poster prize winner for the session “Functional Foods and Health Claims” at 1st International Conference on Food Bioactives and Health, Norwich.