Melucci Manuela

Manuela Melucci has been Director of the Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity (ISOF) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) since December 1, 2025.

She graduated with honors in Chemistry from the University of Bologna (2000) and later obtained a PhD in Chemical Sciences. She carried out research periods abroad as a visiting scientist at the Université d’Angers (2004) and the University of Cambridge (2005).

Her research focuses on the design and synthesis of thiophene‑based π‑conjugated molecules with optoelectronic properties for organic devices (OLETs, OFETs) and sensing applications, as well as on the functionalization of graphene oxide and the development of materials and related technologies for sensing and for the removal of pollutants from water.

She is the author of more than 130 scientific publications and co‑inventor of 10 patent families. She contributed to the development of the first graphene‑based water purification filter, Graphisulfone®, and she leads several national and European research projects.

She received the 2024 Research Award from the Italian Chemical Society for Organic Chemistry for the Environment, Energy, and Nanosciences. She is or has been an expert member of various international committees, including IEC – graphene standardization, EDSTAR – water, and EIT‑KIC Water Scarcity.

She represents CNR within the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) and serves as ISOF’s representative for the National Chemical Library.