francesco salini

Im a passionate food microbiologist from Italy.

I have recently submitted my PhD thesis at the University of Udine (Italy), making me available to work from now on.

My area of specialisation has been focused on bacteriocins since my Master’s, which I performed in collaboration with Stellenbosch University and Professor Leon Dicks, Department of Microbiology (South Africa). More specifically, I focused on isolating and elucidating the related mechanism of production for two undescribed bacteriocins, which is part of a patent agreement between the University of Udine and Stellenbosch University. Moreover, because of these experiences, I fully understand the importance of great team dynamics in addressing complex multi-disciplinary research projects.

Furthermore, I come from a solid technical background in Food Science focusing on food microbiology, including bioinformatics, genomics, protein production and purification. To date, my experience as a PhD has been professionally rewarding and productive, not only exposing me internationally to different research environments but allowed me also to supervise several undergraduate and Master students.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of a large collaborative and interdisciplinary environment that offers a wide range of opportunities to grow professionally.

I have almost completed my PhD at the University of Udine in Food and Human Health. My previous educational background is in Food Science, where I focused on developing my skills as a molecular biologist majoring in biochemistry and microbiology. 

PhD position in Food and Human Health                          10/11/2019 - Present 

                                                                                           (Thesis submission date: 31/01/2023)

• Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science University of Udine (Italy) 
• Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, 7600 Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Postgraduate internship                                                    08/07/2019 - 01/11/2019

• Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science University of Udine (Italy)

Activities:

-         Routine activities of determining food microbiology contamination, isolation and identification of bacteria, yeast and moulds using molecular techniques.

-         Tutor during conceptualisation, experimental and redaction of student projects in Food Science.     

Postgraduate Volunteer activities                                     01/03/2019 - 15/07/2019           

• Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Science University of Udine (Italy)

Activities:

-         Evaluation of selected Lactic Acid Bacteria in their application in different food matrices as bio protectors.

-         Tutor during conceptualisation, experimental and redaction of student projects in Food Science.                                 

MSc in Food Technology                                                   01/09/2016 - 11/03/2019

• Curriculum Management and Control of Food Quality (104/110)
• University of Udine (Italy)
• International Erasmus + programs thesis with Stellenbosch University (South Africa)

Experimental Master thesis in Food Microbiology title: 

“Genome mining and the heterologous expression of potentially novel Class II Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria as GFP-fusion proteins in Escherichia coli BL21”