Prof. Silvia Giordani Invited Lecturer at the 2026 NanoChemistry Camp

Prof. Silvia Giordani was invited as a lecturer at the third edition of the Nanochemistry Camp, an international summer school for Master’s and PhD students in Chemistry and Physics from around the world. The 2026 edition took place from 19–26 September on Lake Iseo, Italy, bringing together young researchers, international scientists and experts in nanoscience and related fields.

In her lecture, “Carbon nanomaterials: chemistry and biomedical applications,” Prof. Giordani presented an overview of the research on carbon nano-onions, with a particular focus on their functionalisation for targeted drug delivery, molecular imaging and theranostic applications. The lecture also offered a personal perspective on her scientific journey, including the challenges and obstacles she encountered throughout her career, providing an inspiring message to the young scientists attending the Camp.

The Nanochemistry Camp was organised jointly by the University of Brescia, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Brescia and the I.S.E.O. Institute. The programme featured an outstanding panel of international invited speakers, including Gianfranco Pacchioni, Aitor Mugarza Ezpeleta, María Sancho Albero, Oldamur Hollóczki, Timothy Craggs and Barbara Hissa. Their lectures covered a broad range of topics, from nanocatalysis and atomically precise materials to nanomedicine, nanoplastics, single-molecule spectroscopy and scientific publishing.

A particularly memorable contribution came from Prof. Jean-Pierre Sauvage, 2016 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. His participation gave the young researchers the opportunity to engage directly with one of the pioneers of molecular machines, whose groundbreaking work has played a fundamental role in shaping modern molecular nanotechnology.

The Camp provided an informal and international environment designed to encourage the exchange of ideas, collaboration and interaction between young researchers and established scientists. Hosted in a unique lakeside setting in Iseo, the programme combined scientific sessions with opportunities for participants and invited speakers to connect and exchange ideas beyond the lecture room.

Dr Riccardo Ossanna, postdoctoral researcher in the Giordani Group, also attended the Summer School as an early-career researcher and presented his work during the Lakeview Poster Session. His poster, focusing on near-infrared BODIPY dyes for the labelling of carbon nano-onions, was selected as one of the Best Posters. The award was presented during the Camp’s closing gala, marking a successful conclusion to an inspiring week of science, discussion and exchange.

The participation of both Prof. Giordani and Dr Ossanna highlighted the Giordani Group’s contribution to this international initiative, which brought together the next generation of researchers and leading scientists in nanochemistry and related fields.