In October, we happily observed our Master’s students’ graduation. All of them successfully presented their thesis projects and are now ready for new adventures – in and outside academia!
Lucrezia Cianciaruso investigated “Eugenol-Loaded PVA Patches to Enhance Wound Healing and Prevent Infections”. She studied special wound patches loaded with a compound called eugenol to see if they could help wounds heal faster and fight off harmful bacteria without antibiotics. That’s what she says about her experience: “I found my master’s degree journey both challenging and inspiring. The project let me explore hands-on solutions to real-world health issues, which has motivated me to continue in research focused on developing alternative therapies in wound care.”
Camilla Ceccon worked on “Titanium functionalized with the synthetic peptoid GN2-Npm9 as a new approach for biocompatible and antibacterial titanium implant.” She assessed the biocompatibility and capability of chemically pre-treated titanium surfaces to prevent bacterial infection, hence finding a promising strategy to enhance their suitability for potential bone-contact implant applications.
Rana Zarean Hafdaran worked on “Deciphering the Transcriptome Profile of Bone Regeneration Induced by Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Stimulation Using a Bioreactor-Based Research Platform”. In her project, she combined pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation with a bioreactor to promote bone regeneration by influencing stem cell behaviour and gene expression, offering a new tool for research in bone biology. She says: “My master’s journey was a rewarding experience. The opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies allowed me to push the boundaries of my knowledge. The challenges I faced during my research helped me grow both academically and personally, especially during those days when I made mistakes, as my comrade Luca called that period: ‘our Golden Time,’ since we were shining every minute throughout the whole building after each mistake.
Mohamad Rasoul Abdollahi Roshandeh focused on checking how effective dental retainers are at stopping tooth decay (“Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Fluoride-Doped Materials With Plasma Treatment for Dental Retainers Applications“). Rasoul says: “My master’s journey was not only an opportunity for academic growth but also a path of personal development and stepping out of my comfort zone. This experience has undoubtedly equipped me with valuable skills for my future career.”
Luca Buonarrivo presented his work, “Effectiveness of gellan gum scaffolds loaded with Boswellia serrata extract for in-situ modulation of pro-inflammatory pathways affecting cartilage healing.” His thesis project investigated the mechanical and biological properties of nature-derived hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering applications.
