We are an international team of early-career researchers advancing bioluminescence and chemiluminescence, fostering collaboration, innovation, and outreach to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Valentina Marassi
Co-president
Valentina is Tenure Track Researcher and Assistant Professor at the University of Bologna, where she works in the “Analytical methods for nanobioscience” group and teaches Analytical and Clinical Chemistry. In her PhD she explored nanomaterials as antibacterial medical devices, while her postdoc was devoted to the isolation of biomarkers of diagnostic and prognosis value from biological samples, and to the developments of nanoparticles for therapeutics and sensors development. Her research lines, also thanks to the mentorship of Prof Aldo Roda, focus on the innovation in analytical platforms, with particular attention to the development of new formats of CL devices for liquid biopsy and therapeutic monitoring.
Mercedes Lozano-Garcia
Co-President
Mercedes is a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the development of translational drug delivery strategies for diverse clinical applications Working under the mentorship of Drs. Sylvia Daunert and Sapna Deo-renowned for their contributions to bioluminescence and chemiluminescence-she is excited to deepen her engagement with these technologies and explore their integration into therapeutic development.
Maximilian Kramp
Vice President of Digital Storytelling
Maximilian is pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Biochemistry and Biotechnology at the University of Applied Sciences in Dresden, Germany. His academic interests lie at the intersection of organic, computational, and biochemistry. He is especially captivated by bio- and chemoluminescence, which bring together these fields in remarkable ways and inspire diverse applications.
Angela Punzo
Vice President of Digital Engagement
Angela is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Bologna and holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry, with a focus on developing bio- and chemiluminescent assays for nutraceutical and biomedical applications. Her research integrates molecular and cellular biology with luminescence technologies to create innovative tools for diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. Passionate about translational bioanalytics, she aims to bridge luminescent technologies with real-world applications in health and disease management.
Alejandra Planells-Devesa
Vice President of Professional Networking
Alejandra is a Ph.D. student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Biotechnology from the Universitat Politècnica de València. Her research focuses on developing peptide-based biosensors for environmental and health targets, as well as identifying biomarkers in ICU patients to enable earlier detection of critical conditions. She is also interested in the role of luminescent technologies in advancing innovative bioanalytical platforms and translational healthcare solutions.
Chadaporn Kantiwiriyawanitch
Vice President of Creative Outreach
Kantiwiriyawanitch is a Ph.D. student in Biomolecular Science and Engineering with a research focus on protein engineering. Her work centers on luciferase engineering to enhance enzymatic activity and stability, with applications in developing advanced bioreporter systems. She has experience in molecular biology, protein design, and bioluminescence-based assays. Her goal is to translate fundamental enzyme engineering into practical tools for biomedical and biotechnological applications.