Dr Gianpiero Calabrese

Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
Department of Pharmacy
School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
Penrhyn Road

Associate Professor in Pharmaceutics

[email protected]

ORCID

About

I completed my Extended Master Degree in Organic and Biological Chemistry at Università degli Studi di Salerno, Italy, where I specialised in the isolation and synthesis of marine natural substances. In 2008, I obtained my PhD from the University of Portsmouth, where I worked in the Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Group under the supervision of Dr John Tsibouklis and investigated the synthesis and evaluation of boronated agents that can selectively target the mitochondria of tumour cells in the Boron neutron Capture Therapy of cancers.

In 2008, I joined the Department of Pharmacy at Kingston University, London, where I currently am Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics.

During my academic career I have developed a vast expertise in Teaching and Learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. I specialise in Organic and Analytical Chemistry, Material Chemistry, Drug Delivery, Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, Cancer Therapy and Research Methods.

I am Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

My research interests cover the following areas:

Drug delivery: polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes and carbon nanotubes for the targeting of the Central Nervous System.
Design, synthesis and formulation of boron-containing compounds for selective mitochondrial targeting in the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy of brain cancers.
Electronic cigarettes: analysis of content, public health issues related to pharmacy practice, pharmacology/toxicology, and formulation.
Inhalation therapy of proteins and their stabilisation in the dry state.

Qualifications

PGCert in Learning & Teaching in Higher Education, Kingston University
PhD in Organic/Medicinal Chemistry at University of Portsmouth
PGCert as Teacher, Tutor and Demonstrator University of Portsmouth, UK
PGCert in Scientific Research Methods, University of Portsmouth, UK
Extended Master Degree in Organic and Biological Chemistry at Universita' degli Studi di Salerno, Italy

Domains

During my academic career I have developed a vast expertise in teaching and learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. I specialise in Organic and Analytical Chemistry, Material Chemistry, Drug Formulation, Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine, Drug Delivery and Research Methods. I lead modules on the Master of Pharmacy and on the Foundation Degree in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Sciences (Pre-Pharmacy).

I carry out investigations in pedagogy, including students' success and progression, provision of feedback, personal tutoring support systems and employment of video and advanced technologies in teaching.

My teaching and learning philosophy goes beyond the classroom and extends to the provision of a stimulating and friendly environment where students can thrive. In this context, I am the leader of the Personal Tutor Scheme (PTS) in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing where I liaise with three schools to ensure a consistent academic support and access to guidance to all students during their learning journey.

One of my recent studies (to be published soon) showed that there is a gap between students' expectations and perceptions of their learning experience at university. Although this gap has recently reduced, higher education institutions still have further work to do and the PTS might serve as the ideal means to improve the overall students' experience and, as a consequence, institutional rankings.
Feedback on student work is a key mechanism for improving learning in higher education. Despite the lack of evidence on its effectiveness, many institutions moved to the provision of electronic feedback. Many studies evaluate the students' perception of e-feedback, but little is known of perceptions of its value according to different disciplines. My recent study showed that perceived relevance, features and expectations of the quality of e-feedback varies according to students' disciplinary cluster. Institutions must reflect on the provision of electronic feedback and how different disciplines may influence the students' perception of the feedback they receive. This work is especially valuable in the context of the covid-19 pandemic, check it out: ElShaer A, Casanova D, N Freestone, and Calabrese G. Students' perceptions of the value of electronic feedback – does disciplinary background really matter? British Journal of Educational Technology, 2019, 51, 2, 590–606.

Academic Impact Awards

2020: Best Personal Tutor Award (winner), Kingston University, London
2019: Best Postgraduate Teacher Award (nomination), Kingston University, London
2017: Best Personal Tutor Award (runner-up), Kingston University, London
2016: Developing Students' Employability Award (runner-up), Kingston University, London
2015: Best Personal Tutor Award (winner), Kingston University, London
2015: Best Project/Dissertation Supervisor Award (nomination), Kingston University, London
2013: Best Teacher (runner-up), Kingston University, London

Qualifications

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Kingston University, UK

Courses taught

The major focus of my research is the synthesis of drugs targeting cancer cells and formulated by means of nano-vehicles. I manage a portfolio of novel, boronated delocalised lipophilic cations for applications in the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy of cancers. I also developed a series of well-characterised alkylglycerol-functionalised chitosan. These can be employed to formulate the tumour targeting drugs as means of polymeric nanoparticles or hydrogels (filed European patent).

My interest in radiation therapy arises from a strong collaboration with the private sector and specifically with TheranostiCentre s.r.l. (Italia) and King's College London. We have devised an innovative therapeutic modality in which drugs are activated during a cutting-edge neutron intra-operative radiation therapy (nIORT®) by the scattering of the 1-2 MeV moderated fast neutrons emitted by a NEUTRON BRUSH®. We are currently working on the evaluation of the merging of this radiotherapy with the existing robotic systems currently employed in surgical procedures in oncology, also thanks to the key collaboration with King's College London.

I am the leader of a multidisciplinary line of investigation regarding Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), also known as e-cigarettes, and the transfer of this technology to the delivery of medicines. ENDS use continues to grow globally, but in an unregulated and uncontrolled fashion. I have addressed this theme of investigation from the following points of view: analytical chemistry, compliance with regional regulations on labelling, potential risks posed to public health as well as exploitation of the transfer of the technologies currently employed in ENDS to deliver medicines in the areas of palliative care, respiratory disease and mental health. I currently collaborate with the University of Auckland, New Zealand, in this area.

Other research interests span the areas of inhalation therapy, regulatory affairs, public health and pharmacy practice.

Qualifications

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, University of Portsmouth, UK
PGCert in Scientific Research Methods, University of Portsmouth, UK
Extended Master Degree in Organic and Biological Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Italy

Scholarly affiliations

Member of Royal Society of Chemistry, UK

I contribute to Leadership and Management of the University across a range of processes admission, outreach, policy making and students' engagement and wellbeing.

Admissions, Recruitment and Outreach

I am the leader of Admission for the Department of Pharmacy since 2010. I coordinate recruitment strategies, manage staff training in admission processes, design and participate to Open Days activities and recruitment events; as well as broaden the Universities reach through outreach and widening participation (e.g. talks at colleges, Head Start, etc.). Since 2011, I am a Member of the Pharmacy Schools Council Admissions Network, which shapes admission strategies for all Schools of Pharmacy in the UK. I also coordinate admission aspects of all courses in the Department of Pharmacy for periodic re-accreditation with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Policy making

I am a member of the Fitness to Practice Committee of the Department of Pharmacy since 2010. I liaise with applicants and authorities to prepare Fitness to Practice cases to be submitted to the attention of the Committee. I also actively contribute to the creation and implementation of policies in Fitness to Practice, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Health checks.

Students' engagement and wellbeing

I am the leader of the Personal Tutor Scheme in the Faculty of Science, Computing and Engineering. I work closely with other Student Support systems, both specific to SEC (e.g. SASC) and university-wide (e.g. Student Enrichment). As SEC representative I seat on the regular University Personal Tutor Scheme Advisory group to shape the future of the students' learning experience at Kingston University.

Roles and Responsibilities

Personal Tutor Scheme Leader in SEC
Admission Tutor, Department of Pharmacy
University Teaching Observation Scheme
Pharmacy Fitness to Practice Committee
Kingston Academic Practice Standards (KAPS) reviewer for fellowships applications to the HEA
University Personal Tutor Scheme Advisory group
Campus Re-enablement: Student –Task and Finish group (2020)
Personal Tutoring Scheme –Task and Finish group (2019-2020)

Publications

Pomegranate extracts as dual regulators of angiogenesis: a systematic review of preclinical evidence in cancer and chronic wound healing

Caprifico, Anna Eleonora, Calabrese, Gianpiero, Tornese, Riccardo, Montefusco, Anna, Placì, Rocco, Semeraro, Teodoro, Durante, Miriana, De Caroli, Monica and Lenucci, Marcello Salvatore, 2025, Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (69), 11, Published

Dr Gianpiero Calabrese

About

Qualifications

Domains

Teaching and learning

Research

Leadership and management

Publications

Articles

Book Sections/Chapters

Conference Items

Videos of my work

TheranostiCentre - Equity crowdfunding

Stay connected