VALENTINA NOEMI MADIA

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full name: Valentina Noemi Madia
Contacts: valentinanoemi.madia@uniroma1.it

CURRENT ROLE: Researcher (RTD-A) at “Sapienza” University of Rome (SSD CHIM/08) – Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs

EDUCATION
- 2017: PhD in Life Sciences (with mark “Excellent”) mainly focused on the design and synthesis of heterocyclic derivatives as novel anti-HIV agents at “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2014: Qualification for the practice of the pharmacist profession
- 2013: Master Graduation (110/110 summa cum laude) in Pharmacy at “Sapienza” University of Rome

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
- 2023: National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for associate professor (SSD CHIM/08 SC 03/D1)
- 2023 – today: Researcher (RTD-A) at “Sapienza” University of Rome (SSD CHIM/08) – Department of Chemistry and Technologies of Drugs, mainly devoting her research on the design and synthesis of small molecules active against emerging viruses
- 2022 – 2023: Post-doctoral researcher in medicinal chemistry with a project entitled: " Design and synthesis of new heterocyclic derivative as antiviral agents" at “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2019 – 2020: Post-doctoral researcher in medicinal chemistry with a project entitled: "Progettazione e sintesi di nuovi derivati chinolonici come potenziali agenti anti- HIV-1" at “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2018 – 2019: Post-doctoral researcher in medicinal chemistry with a project entitled: "Design and synthesis of new heterocyclic derivatives as anti-HIV-1 agents" at “Sapienza” University of Rome

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Her main research interest lies mainly in the design and development of heterocyclic small molecules endowed with different biological activities. The main are as follows:
- research on chemotherapeutic agents
- research on antiretroviral agents
- research on antiviral agents (HCV, polio, influenza, coronaviruses, etc)
- research on antifungal agents
- research on antiprotozoal agents
- research on antibacterial agents
- research on anticancer agents
- research on anti-Alzheimer agents.
The research activities include design, synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds within hit-to-lead development. These are carried out applying the most modern approaches in the drug design field of research such as computer-aided drug design, parallel synthesis and synthesis in batch, use of green chemistry techniques as microwave-assisted or flow chemistry synthesis.

Her research has resulted in more than 43 publications in peer-reviewed journals, 1 international patent, 1 chapter in book (https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56135769900) (up to April 2025).
She is also author of more than 10 oral communications and more than 50 poster presentations to international congresses. She was member of the Scientific Committee of the “VII edition of Biology and Molecular Medicine PhD Symposium”, held in 2016 at “Sapienza” University of Rome.

She has been principal investigator or participant of the following grants:
– 2022: Progetti per Avvio alla Ricerca – “New ribonuclease H inhibitors to defeat HIV-1” - “Sapienza” University of Rome (2800 €) – principal investigator
- 2022: Progetti di Ricerca (Medi) – “Development of novel protease inhibitors of SARS-coV-2” – “Sapienza” University of Rome (10000 €) - participant
- 2016: Progetti di Ricerca (Medi) – “Novel anti-HIV agents targeted to the ribonuclease H function of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase enzyme” – “Sapienza” University of Rome (11000 €) – participant
She is Topical Advisory Panel member, Medicinal Chemistry section, journal Pharmaceuticals (Ed. MDPI), Guest Editor for Special Issues in the field of medicinal chemistry (Pharmaceuticals, Molecules, Ed. MDPI), Peer Reviewer for various scientific journals, i.e. Molecules (Ed. MDPI); Pharmaceuticals (Ed. MDPI); Life (Ed. MDPI), Current Medicinal Chemistry (Ed. Bentham Science).
She is a member of the Italian Chemical Society, Medicinal Chemistry division.

She has been awarded with the following prizes:
- “Best Poster Presentation Prize” – European Federation of Medicinal Chemistry, XXVIII EFMC ISMC, Rome (2024)
- “Medicinal Chemistry Division Prize” – Italian Chemical Society, Ed. 2024, Milan (2024)
- “Premio Soroptimist 2021” for the best research project (Fondazione Soroptimist – Club di Roma
- Italian Chemical Society travel grant for the XXVII edition of the National Meeting in Medicinal Chemistry (2022)
- Italian Chemical Society travel grant for the 10th Joint Meeting of Medicinal Chemistry (2017)
- Italian Chemical Society travel grant for the XXVI edition of the National Meeting in Medicinal Chemistry (2017)
- Italian Chemical Society travel grant for the XXIV edition of the National Meeting in Medicinal Chemistry (2016)

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
- 2024 – today: Teacher for the course “Fundamental of Chemical Biology I” (Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Computer Science for Pharmaceutical Applications), “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2024: Seminar activities for the PhD students of the school in Pharmaceutical Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2017 – today: Supervisor of several undergraduate students (M. Sc. Pharmacy and Drug Chemistry and Technology) and PhD students (PhD school in Life Sciences), “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2017 – today: Teaching assistant and seminar activities for the course of “Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica II” (M. Sc. Pharmacy, Supervisors: Prof. Di Santo, Prof. Costi), “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2016 - Tutor in stoichiometry for the M. Sc. of Pharmacy (course “Chimica generale ed inorganica”), “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2016 – 2020: Teaching assistant and seminar activities for the course of “Ricerca e Sviluppo del Farmaco e Documentazione Scientifica” (M. Sc. Applicated Pharmaceutical Sciences, Supervisor: Prof. Di Santo), “Sapienza” University of Rome
- 2013 – 2014: Teaching assistant and seminar activities for the practical laboratory course of “Analisi Chimico Farmaceutica e Tossicologica II” (M. Sc. Drug Chemistry and Technology, Supervisor: Prof. Costi), “Sapienza” University of Rome.