Elena Martone: Professional Profile in Nanomedicine
Hello, I am Elena Martone
Thank you for this opportunity. It is an honor for me to share my background.
My Passion for Chemistry
I fell in love with chemistry thanks to my teacher, who explained it with such passion that I realized chemistry is not just a school subject—it is everywhere around us.
Determination and Growth
I enjoy challenges. Climbing the highest peak in Spain taught me determination. I believe nature and books are a perfect combination. Growing up near the sea in Sorrento taught me constancy; like waves that always return after a storm, I believe that in research, even if experiments fail, you try again and improve.
Key Life Milestones
In 2019, I faced a major decision: choosing between Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology. I chose the latter to build a strong technical background.
- 2022: I moved alone to a new city to start as an assistant lab technician, my first real laboratory experience.
- 2023: I completed two Erasmus programs in Spain, which helped me grow personally and professionally.
- 2025: I began my experimental thesis internship in a drug delivery lab in Naples, where I gained extensive laboratory skills.
Technical Skills and Laboratory Experience
During my thesis, I prepared liposomes using rotary evaporation and an extruder. I characterized nanoparticles using DLS and zeta potential, performed purification with Amicon filters, and used fluorescence assays to measure miRNA encapsulation.
My experience includes working with HPLC, preparing tablets and capsules, and performing microbiological tests. I have learned to read and analyze data using logic and critical thinking, becoming independent in the lab while valuing the importance of teamwork.
Thesis: Nanomedicine and Drug Delivery
My thesis focused on the synthesis of lipid self-assembling nanoparticles for miRNA delivery to melanoma cells. These nanoparticles consist of calcium phosphate, miRNA, and liposomes. To increase tumor specificity, I used an active targeting strategy with a peptide that binds to a receptor overexpressed in cancer cells. This project confirmed my strong interest in nanomedicine.
Current Professional Development
I am currently advancing my expertise through two programs:
- PharmaTech Academy: An advanced program on RNA drugs and gene therapy using a ‘Learning by Doing’ approach.
- Minor in Pharmaceutical Engineering: This connects the lab to the industry, covering GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), PSQ, QbD, and QbT, providing an engineering perspective on scaling up production.
I am also continuing to study English independently. Thank you for your attention. Any questions? Or, if you prefer, podemos continuar en español.