Prof. Serena Riela is a distinguished researcher in the field of organic chemistry with a focus on the modification of clay minerals for various applications including biomedical, catalytic, environmental remediation, and reinforcement of polymer matrices. With an extensive academic background and experience spanning over two decades, Prof. Riela has made significant contributions to the scientific community through her research, publications, editorial roles, and organizational engagements. Her work has garnered international recognition, earning her prestigious awards and honors.
Author Metrics
Scopus Profile
ORCID Profile
Prof. Riela’s scholarly impact is evidenced by her author metrics, including an H-index of 41 and approximately 4547 citations according to SCOPUS. Her publications have been featured on four cover pages of international scientific journals, further highlighting the significance of her research contributions.
Citations: 4,540
Documents: 118
h-index: 41
Serena Riela is affiliated with the Università degli Studi di Catania in Catania, Italy. She has an Scopus Author Identifier of 6603156095 and an ORCID ID of 0000-0001-8705-8763. According to Scopus, her publications have received 4,540 citations across 118 documents, resulting in an h-index of 41.
Education
Prof. Serena Riela obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Palermo in 1996. She pursued her doctoral studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Bologna from 1997 to 2000. During her doctoral research, she spent a year as a visiting PhD student at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), under the supervision of Prof. Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 2016.
Research Focus
Prof. Riela’s research primarily focuses on various aspects of organic chemistry, including stereo- and enantioselective synthesis, organo-catalysis, microwave-assisted organic synthesis, modification of cyclodextrins, host-guest complexation studies, heterogeneous catalysis, and supramolecular modifications of clay minerals. Since 2012, she has directed her research towards the modification of clay minerals and their applications in biomedicine, catalysis, environmental remediation, and polymer reinforcement.
Professional Journey
Prof. Riela’s professional journey spans several significant milestones. After completing her doctoral studies, she held a postdoctoral position at the University of Palermo from 2000 to 2002. Subsequently, she secured a permanent research position at the same institution, where she served until 2018. She has since held academic positions at the Universities of Palermo, Catania, and Granada as a Visiting Professor and Professor Ordinario. Her diverse academic experiences have enriched her research perspectives and collaborations.
Honors & Awards
Throughout her career, Prof. Riela has received numerous honors and awards in recognition of her outstanding contributions to organic chemistry and related fields. Notably, she was awarded the prestigious Prize of the Italian Chemical Society’s Division of Organic Chemistry in 2022 for her research in organic chemistry for life sciences.
Publications Top Noted & Contributions
Prof. Riela has authored over 118 publications in international peer-reviewed journals, with 65 of them as the lead author. Her research contributions encompass a wide range of topics, including organic synthesis, clay mineral modification, host-guest chemistry, and catalysis. She has also contributed chapters to several international books and holds a national patent. Additionally, she has actively participated in over 30 invited oral presentations at various national and international conferences and workshops.
Title: Gold nanoparticles stabilized by modified halloysite nanotubes for catalytic applications
Journal: Applied Organometallic Chemistry
Year: 2019
DOI: 10.1002/aoc.4665
Contributors: Massaro, M.; Colletti, C.G.; Fiore, B.; La Parola, V.; Lazzara, G.; Guernelli, S.; Zaccheroni, N.; Riela, S.
Title: Halloysite nanotubes-carbon dots hybrids multifunctional nanocarrier with positive cell target ability as a potential non-viral vector for oral gene therapy
Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Year: 2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2019.05.062
Contributors: Massaro, M.; Barone, G.; Biddeci, G.; Cavallaro, G.; Di Blasi, F.; Lazzara, G.; Nicotra, G.; Spinella, C.; Spinelli, G.; Riela, S.
Title: Multifunctional Carrier Based on Halloysite/Laponite Hybrid Hydrogel for Kartogenin Delivery
Journal: ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Year: 2019
DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.8b00465
Contributors: Massaro, M.; Buscemi, G.; Arista, L.; Biddeci, G.; Cavallaro, G.; D’Anna, F.; Di Blasi, F.; Ferrante, A.; Lazzara, G.; Rizzo, C.; Riela, S.
Title: Chemical modification of halloysite nanotubes for controlled loading and release
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry B
Year: 2018
DOI: 10.1039/c8tb00543e
Contributors: Massaro, M.; Cavallaro, G.; Colletti, C.G.; Lazzara, G.; Milioto, S.; Noto, R.; Riela, S.
Title: Current status of nanoclay phytotoxicity
Publication Type: Book chapter
Book: Phytotoxicity of Nanoparticles
Year: 2018
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-76708-6_6
Contributors: Lazzara, G.; Massaro, M.; Riela, S.
Research Timeline
Prof. Riela’s research journey has evolved over the years, starting from her doctoral studies in the late 1990s to her current position as a Professor Ordinario at the University of Catania. Her research interests have expanded and diversified, reflecting her continuous exploration of new avenues in organic chemistry and materials science. With each milestone and accomplishment, she has further solidified her reputation as a leading figure in her field.
