EDUCATION AND TRAINING
1995
High School Degree (Liceo Classico «Convitto Nazionale Maria Luigia», Parma, I)
Grade: 60/60.
1995
Undergraduate Student in PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY at the School of Pharmacy, University of Parma (I).
2000
From July 2000 thru February 2001, Visiting Undergraduate Student at the School of Pharmacy, University of Paris-Sud XI (Châtenay-Malabry, F) supported by the European Union Programme “Socrates-Erasmus”.
2001
Bachelor of Science, Pharmaceutical degree in PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY (March 12th, 2001, University of Parma, I)
Dissertation: “New 5-methoxypsoralen-containing formulations for the topical treatment of skin diseases”
Supervisor: Prof. P. Santi
Grade: 110/110 cum laude
2001
From April 2001 thru December 2001, recipient of a research fellowship granted by Lisapharma S.p.A. (Erba, CO, Italy) for a research training on the topic « Dosage forms containing SUCRALFATE GEL » at the Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Parma (I)
Supervisor: Prof. P. Colombo
2001
National qualification as a pharmacist (University of Parma, I)
2002-04
Ph.D. Student in Biopharmaceutics–Pharmacokinetics at the University of Parma supported by a PhD scholarship granted by the University of Parma (XVII Cycle)
2002-03
From February 2002 thru August 2003, Visiting Graduate Student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT (Cambridge MA, USA).
2005
Ph.D. Degree in Biopharmaceutics–Pharmacokinetics (April 8th, 2005, University of Parma, I).
Thesis defense: “Formulation strategies for prolonged local anesthesia”.
Supervisor: prof. Ruggero Bettini


FOREIGN LANGUAGES
English (Computer-based TOEFL score: 273)
French (fluently spoken and written)
Spanish (school level)


EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE ABROAD
2000
From July 2000 thru February 2001, she spent a 8-month stage of training and research at the School of Pharmacy of the University of Paris-Sud XI for the completion of her graduation work project and with the support of the European Union Programme “Socrates-Erasmus”.
Topic: “Development of polymeric nanoparticles for controlled delivery of 5-methoxypsoralen”
Supervisor: Prof. E. Fattal
University of Paris-Sud XI, UMR CNRS 8612, Châtenay-Malabry (F).
2002
From February 2002 thru August 2003, she has been Visiting Graduate Student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Supervisors: Robert S. Langer Ph.D., Daniel S. Kohane MD, Ph.D.
MIT, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Cambridge, MA (USA).


ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
July 2001
1st Intensive SOCRATES Program Workshop, 11-day intensive workshop, Topic: “Innovative therapeutics: from molecules to drugs”
University of Paris-Sud XI, School of Pharmacy, Châtenay-Malabry (F).
June 2002
ADVANCES IN CONTROLLED RELEASE TECHNOLOGY, 5-day intensive course
MIT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Cambridge, MA (USA).
July 2002
12th Annual INHALATION AEROSOL TECHNOLOGY Workshop, 4-day intensive workshop
University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD (USA).
September 2003
3rd Advanced School for Doctoral Students in Pharmaceutical Technology, 7-day intensive workshop
University of Calabria, School of Pharmacy, Arcavacata di Rende, CS (I)
Feb-Mar 2004
5th International Conference and Workshop on Cell Culture and In-Vitro Models for Drug Absorption and Delivery, 10-day intensive workshop
Saarland University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saarbrücken (D)


ACADEMIC CAREER and TEACHING ACTIVITY
2004 - today
Assistant Professor at Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences (currently Dept. of Life Sciences and Biotechnology), University of Ferrara (I).
2012-2013
National Scientific Habilitation as Associate Professor in SSD (Scientific Disciplinary Field) CHM/09 (valid between 31.01.2014 thru 31.01.2020)
2011-2013
Member of the Board of Professors of the Ph.D. Program in “Biopharmaceutics-Pharmacokinetics” of the University of Parma (XXVI, XXVII and XXVIII cycles)
2013-2019
Member of the Board of Professors of the Ph.D. Program in “Drug, Biomolecule and Health Product Sciences” of the University of Parma (XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XXII cycle)
2016-today
Associate Professor at Dept. of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara (I).
2016-today
Deputy Rector of Internationalization (University of Ferrara)
2017
National Scientific Habilitation for Full Professorship in SSD (i.e., Scientific Disciplinary Field) CHM/09 (valid between 02.08.2017 thru 02.08.2023)
2019-today
Member of the Board of Professors of the Ph.D. Program in “Chemical Sciences” of the University of Ferrara (XXXIV, XXXV cycle)


2004-2005
Instructor of class subject “Drug delivery and targeting” (course of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, University of Ferrara)
2005-2007
Instructor of class subject “Innovative Drug Dosage Forms” (course of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, University of Ferrara): theory
2007-2012
Instructor of class subject “Pharmaceutical Technology II with Legislation” (course of Pharmacy, University of Ferrara): theory and laboratory practices
2012 – 2014
Instructor of class subject “Pharmaceutical Technology II” for 10 ECTS (course of Pharmacy, University of Ferrara): theory and laboratory practices.
2014 – 2016
Instructor of class subject “Pharmaceutical Technology II” for 12 ECTS (course of Pharmacy, University of Ferrara): theory.
2016 – today
Instructor of class subject “Pharmaceutical Technology II” for 9 ECTS (course of Pharmacy, University of Ferrara): theory.
2017 – today
Instructor of optional class subject “Pharmacy Organization and Management” for 6 ECTS (course of Pharmacy, University of Ferrara): theory.


MASTER/PhD STUDENT MENTORING (2004 - today)
81 undergraduate/Master students from the course of Pharmacy (of which 37 on research thesis)
7 undergraduate/Master students from the course of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (of which 7 on research thesis; 4 out of these 7 in the pharmaceutical industry)
1 Ph.D. student as co-tutor (University of Parma, XXVI Cycle, 2011-2013)
1 Ph.D. student as supervisor (University of Parma, XXXI Cycle, 2015-2018)
1 Ph.D. student as supervisor (University of Ferrara, XXXV Cycle, 2019-2022)


QUALIFIED LECTURING ACTIVITIES
2006 - Lecturer at a Continuing Medical Education course on the topic “Tablet manufacturing in pharmacy shops”. Course hosted by the University of Ferrara.
2006-2007 - Erasmus professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg “Louis Pasteur” (F-Strasbourg).
2007-2008 - Erasmus professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg “Louis Pasteur” (F-Strasbourg).
2008-2009 - Erasmus professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg “Louis Pasteur” (F-Strasbourg).
2009-2010 - Erasmus professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg (F-Strasbourg).
2010-2011 - Erasmus professorship lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg (F-Strasbourg).
2011 - Lecturer in a Continuing Medical Education course on the topic “Tablet manufacturing in pharmacy shops”. Course hosted by the University of Ferrara.
2011 - Lecturer at ULLA Summer School 2011. Program organized by and at the University of Parma (Parma, Italy, July 2-8, 2011).
2012 - Lecturer in a Continuing Medical Education course on the topic “Tablet manufacturing in pharmacy shops”. Course hosted by the University of Ferrara.
2013-today
Lecturer in a 2nd level Formation Course on “The Management of a Pharmacy – 1st Edition”. Course organized by the University of Ferrara.
2013-2014 - LLP-Erasmus professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Technology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Athens, Greece).
2015 - Lecturer at ULLA Summer School 2015. Program organized by and at the University of Paris Sud XI (Chatenay-Malabry, France, July 1-4, 2015).
2015-2016 - Erasmus+ professorship at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Liège (Liège, Belgium).
2016-2017 - Erasmus+ professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg (Strasbourg, France).
2017 - Lecturer at ULLA Summer School 2017. Program organized by and at KU Leuven (Leuven, Belgium, July 8-15th, 2017).
2017-2018 - Erasmus+ professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Athens, Greece).
2017-2018 - Erasmus+ professorship at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Strasbourg (Strasbourg, France).


INVITED LECTURES
1) Invited speaker at the CHA (Centre Hospitalier Affilié universitaire de Québec), Québec, Canada. Lecture title: “New platforms for drug delivery”. 27/05/2005.
2) Invited speaker within the International School on Advanced Material Science and Technology organized by the Section of Physical Sciences at the Polytechnic University of Marche (Jesi, AN, Italy). Lecture titles: I) "Respiratory drug delivery" II) “Strategies in bupivacaine delivery for prolonged duration local anesthesia”. 6-9/09/2005.
3) Invited speaker at the workshop “STUDI CLINICI DI FASE I” held at IPAS SA, Ligornetto (CH). Lecture title: “Forme farmaceutiche flottanti: stato d’arte e future applicazioni”. 22/03/2007
4) Invited speaker at 5th International Post-graduate Research Symposium on Pharmaceutics (IPORSIP-2007), Istanbul, Turkey, 13-15/09/2007
5) Invited speaker at the workshop “Aggiornamenti Regolatori per Studi Clinici di Fase I” held at IPAS SA, Ligornetto (CH). Lecture title: “Innovazione tecnologica: aspetti brevettuali e di biodisponibilità”. 26/03/2009
6) Invited speaker at the workshop Rete ““Salute e Persone” organized by ASTER (R2BDays) and held at Palazzo dei Congressi, Bologna (I). Lecture title: “Innovazione farmaceutica in ottica utente”. 13/11/2009.
7) Invited speaker at seminar “Innovative Drug Delivery Systems” hosted by Pharmatrans Sanaq AG, Basel, Switzerland. 12/05/2011. Lecture title: “Geometric oral drug delivery systems”.
8) Invited speaker at School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, 27/07/2011. Lecture title: “Geometric oral drug delivery systems”.
9) Invited speaker at 18th Symposium on Microencapsulation, Antalya, Turkey, 12-14/09/2011. Lecture title: “Powders and agglomerates to construct patient-friendly medicinal products for personalized therapies”.
10) Invited speaker at 19th Symposium on Microencapsulation, Pamplona, Spain, 9-11/09/2013. Lecture title: “Lecithin/chitosan autoassembled nanoparticles for oral administration of tamoxifen citrate”.
11) Invited speaker at the General Assembly of the “Association Francophone des Enseignants de Pharmacie Galénique” held at Conseil National de l’Ordre des Pharmaciens de France, Paris, France, 25/10/2013. Lecture title: “Organisation des études de pharmacie en Italie – Place de la Pharmacie galénique et de la technologie pharmaceutique”.
12) Invited speaker at XXII International Conference on Bioencapsulation, Bratislava, Slovakia, 17-19/09/2014. Lecture title: “Autoassembled nanoparticles of lecithin/chitosan for oral delivery of the anticancer drug tamoxifen citrate”.
13) Invited speaker at 28th Panhellenic Congress for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (HAOMS2014), Athens, Greece, 28-30/11/2014. Lecture title: “Sucralfate gel: drug substance and delivery system for topical applications (Skincol®)”.
14) Invited speaker at Rutgers – The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA 17/02/2016. Lecture title: “Effervescent Dome Matrix®: modularity for higher patient acceptability”.
15) Invited speaker at St. John’s University, Queens, NY 11439, USA 22/03/2017. Lecture title: “Effervescent Dome Matrix®: modularity for patient centric products”.
16) Invited speaker at 12th ISOPS- International Symposium on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ankara,Turkey, 26-29/06/2018. Lecture title: “OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGES OF NASAL POWDERS: DRUG FORMULATION AND DELIVERY”.
17) Invited speaker at 22nd International Symposium on Microencapsulation, Salvador, Bahia (Brazil), 25-27/09/2019. Lecture title: “Dome Matrix Technology and Microparticles’ Agglomerates for Personalized Medicines in Malaria”.
18) Invited speaker at Nanotechnology Symposium 2020, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 21/02/2020. Lecture title: NANOTECHNOLOGY ENABLED INNOVATION IN INHALATION DRUG DELIVERY”.


FUNDING

1) GOVERNMENTAL FUNDING
2010 - Research Unit Leader in a 3-year project funded by the national program FIRB Futuro in Ricerca 2010 in collaboration with the University of Roma “La Sapienza” and the University of “Roma Tre” (total grant € 716.200,00 out of which € 217.000,00 granted to Dr. Colombo).
Project title: Post-traumatic stress disorder at developmental ages: from neurobiology and vulnerability factors to novel nanoparticle-based therapeutics.

2) REGIONAL FUNDING
2012 - Research Unit Leader in a 18-month project funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region in collaboration with the Universities of Bologna and Parma and the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna (I.Z.S.L.E.R.) (total grant of 100.000,00 €, out of which 12.750,00 granted to Dr. Colombo)
Project title: Development of alternative methods for evaluating the effectiveness of antiviral compounds.

3) LOCAL (UNIVERSITY) FUNDING
2014 - University of Ferrara Research Fund 2014 (FAR, Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca scientifica Anno 2014) (total grant to Dr. Colombo 2.836,00 €).
Title: Formulazione di rimonabant in nanoparticelle di lecitina e chitosano per trasporto naso-cervello.
2016 - University of Ferrara Research Fund 2016 (FAR, Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca scientifica Anno 2016) (total grant to Dr. Colombo 1.780,51 €).
2017 - University of Ferrara Research Fund 2017 (FAR, Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca scientifica Anno 2017) (total grant to Prof. Colombo 3.884,56 €).
2018 - University of Ferrara Research Fund 2018 (FAR, Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca scientifica Anno 2018) (total grant to Prof. Colombo 2.612,42 €).
2019 - University of Ferrara Research Fund 2019 (FAR, Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca scientifica Anno 2019) (total grant to Prof. Colombo 2.621,00 €).
2019 - University of Ferrara Research Fund (FIR, FONDO PER L’INCENTIVAZIONE ALLA RICERCA 2019) (FIR1920401; Project’s Title: “Dal naso al cervello: combinazione di insulina e flurbiprofene in polvere nasale per le fasi iniziali della malattia di Alzheimer”; total grant to prof. Colombo: 5.000,00 €)
2020 - University of Ferrara Research Fund 2020 (FAR, Fondo di Ateneo per la Ricerca scientifica Anno 2020) (total grant to Prof. Colombo 2.223,00 €).


OTHER ACTIVITIES
2006-2007
Founder and Chair of the “AAPS Italian University Network Student Chapter” (A.It.U.N.).
2007 – today
Qualified expert for the Italian Agency for Drugs (AIFA, Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) for the evaluation of the Quality section (Module 3) of Common Technical Documents concerning applications for new drug marketing authorizations or variations to already existing authorizations.

AWARDS
1997-1998
3rd year best student in Pharm. Chemistry and Technology, Univ. of Parma (I)
1998-1999
4th year best student in Pharm. Chemistry and Technology, Univ. of Parma (I)
1999-2000
5th year best student in Pharm. Chemistry and Technology, Univ. of Parma (I)
1999-2000
Awarded with a Socrates-Erasmus scholarship (8 months), granted by the Univ. of Parma for research training at the University of Paris-Sud XI, (F-Châtenay-Malabry).
2001
Award for outstanding bachelor thesis on the topics of research & development and technology transfer, granted by SPINNER Consortium, (I-Bologna).
2001
Award for outstanding bachelor thesis in the name of "Prof. Aldo La Manna", granted by the Italian association of teachers and researchers in Pharmaceutical Technology (A.D.R.I.T.E.L.F.), University of Pavia (I-Pavia).
2001
Recipient of a research fellowship granted by Lisapharma S.p.A. (Erba, CO, I) for a research training on the topic « Dosage forms containing SUCRALFATE GEL » at the Dept. of Pharmacy, University of Parma (I-Parma).
2002
Recipient of a scholarship for a PhD in “Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics” granted by (XVII cycle), University of Parma (I-Parma).
2003
First qualified for an Assistant Professor position at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara (I-Ferrara).
2004
Recipient of a “PSWC2004 Student Travel Grant”, awarded by the organizing committee of the FIP “Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress 2004” (Kyoto, JP).
2006
Recipient of a travel award sponsored by the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery (PDD) Section of AAPS, to attend the 2006 AAPS Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Antonio, TX (USA).
2007
Recipient of a travel award sponsored by the organizing committee of the “16th International Symposium on Microencapsulation” (Lexington, KY, USA)
2011
Selected “Innovator” within the Project “Italia degli Innovatori” 2011, an initiative promoted by the Agency for Innovation for the diffusion of innovative technologies (Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, i.e., Italian Prime Minister's Office).
2014
Recipient of a travel grant sponsored by the organizing committee of the “XXII International Conference on Bioencapsulation (Bratislava, Slovakia).
2015
Recipient of IMS 2015 BEST POSTER AWARD (1st place), awarded by the poster selection committee of the “20th International Symposium on Microencapsulation” (Boston, MA, USA).
2018
Recipient of EUFEPS 2018 Women in Pharmaceutical Sciences Award, awarded by EUFEPS at the “EUFEPS Annual Meeting 2018” (Athens, Greece).