Prof Francesca Palombo

My research is focused on the development of novel applications of vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman and Brillouin) to the biomedical sciences. I am particularly interested in the physical and chemical aspects of biological systems at a molecular level, as well their implications in health-related problems. Previously, I developed the application of Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR)-FTIR spectroscopic imaging to atherosclerosis in animal models of the disease. I have managed both ultrafast time-resolved (optical Kerr effect) and frequency-domain experiments (Raman and depolarized Rayleigh scattering, Brillouin scattering) to elucidate the dynamics, structure and molecular interactions in complex liquids. My PhD was focused at investigating the hydrogen bonding across the phase diagram (liquid and supercritical fluid regions) of 1- and 2-octanol and tert-butanol by Raman and FTIR, in both MIR and NIR spectral regions.