Dr. Francesca Cappitelli is a Full Professor of Microbiology at the University of Milan, within the Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in Conservation Science from the Royal College of Art, London, in 2002. She has extensive postdoctoral interdisciplinary research experience and conducts high-quality research, as reflected in her authorship of numerous peer-reviewed publications. She supervises undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, and mentors postdoctoral fellows.

Major research interests are cultural heritage microbiology and subaerial biofilm.

Current areas of cultural heritage microbiological research include the biodeterioration of a wide range of materials-such as stone, paintings, synthetic polymers, and paper-as well as the development of effective control strategies. In addition, my work involves an in-depth investigation of bioprotection phenomena affecting outdoor cultural heritage. Another key research focus is the use of microorganisms for the bioremoval of unwanted compounds, including those found in graffiti.

Biofilm research focuses on the study of bacterial and fungal biofilms, particularly at air-solid interfaces. This work also includes investigating non-toxic, environmentally friendly phytocompounds that can interfere with key stages of biofilm development.