Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/francesca-barco-67a3bab2
Contact:
Orcid ID: 0009-0003-0933-7259
Cycle: 39°
Curriculum: Nuclear and Industrial Safety Engineering
Title of the PhD Project: Biodosimetric techniques for protection against non-ionizing radiation.
Supervisor(s): Prof. Francesco D’Errico, Prof. Susana De Souza Lalic, Prof. Maria Grazia Cascone, Prof. Elisabetta Rosellini, Prof. Riccardo Ciolini.
In collaboration with: Department of Physics, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil.
Abstract of the PhD project:
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of sterilization in both residential and work environments. While bulky items require ionizing radiation for sterilization, surfaces can be sterilized using ultraviolet rays. However, dosimetry for UV rays remains complex. Currently, UV dosimeters are not tissue-equivalent, and dosimetry for such radiation is crucial not only to ensure the correct dose for effective sterilization but also for individual protection.
In addition to UV rays, there are other types of non-ionizing radiation such as lasers, ultrasound, and magnetic fields used in medicine and industry. Although non-ionizing, they are subject to protective regulations, as they could pose unacceptable risks if certain intensity levels were exceeded.
My doctoral project focuses on the biodosimetry of non-ionizing radiation using a plant model as an alternative to animal models. This approach aims to better understand the effects of such radiation on living organisms, especially at low doses. Since manually managing a large statistical sample would be difficult, I also anticipate developing a deep learning model to automatically recognize radiation-induced damage, ensuring reliable and reproducible results.
Publications
Articles:
F. d’Errico, F. Barco, T. Butini, M.G. Cascone, R. Ciolini, M. Quattrocchi, E. Rosellini, T. Hulber, J.A. Torres Novaes, M.N. Xavier, S. de Souza Lalic, “Radiation monitoring with plant-based biotas and an automated micronucleus scoring approach”, EPJ Web Conf. 288 09007 (2023).
DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/202328809007
https://www.epj-conferences.org/articles/epjconf/pdf/2023/14/epjconf_animma2023_09007.pdf
F. Barco, T. Butini, E. Rosellini, M.G. Cascone, M.N. Xavier, J.A. Torres Novaes, S. de Souza Lalic, F. d’Errico, “Ultraviolet radiation biodosimetry with a biota alternative to animal models”, currently under review for publication on Radiation Measurements - Special Issue “Proceedings of the 20th International Solid State Dosimetry Conference”.
T. Butini, F. Barco, M.G. Cascone, E. Rosellini, M.N. Xavier, J.A. Torres Novaes, S. de Souza Lalic, F. d’Errico, “Ionizing radiation biodosimetry with a biota alternative to animal models”, currently under review for publication on Radiation Measurements - Special Issue “Proceedings of the 20th International Solid State Dosimetry Conference”.
M.G. Cascone, E. Rosellini, T. Butini, F. Barco, S. de Souza Lalic, F. d’Errico, “Study of radiation effects through an innovative and alternative biodosimetric method based on the use of a plant organism”, Accepted for oral communications at Centro 3R Annual Meeting, “The Role of 3Rs in the age of One Health: where we are and where we are going”, 13-15 September 2023.
Poster presentations at conferences:
F. Barco, T. Butini, E. Rosellini, M.G. Cascone, M.N. Xavier, J.A. Torres Novaes, S. de Souza Lalic, F. d’Errico, “Ultraviolet radiation biodosimetry with a biota alternative to animal models”. Accepted for poster communications at the 20th International Conference on Solid State Dosimetry, SSD20, Viareggio, September 17-22, 2023.