
Pierpaolo Pravatto Ph.D.
M.Sc. Chemistry, Ph.D Molecular Sciences
Currently R&D Manager at Woodn Greenwood s.r.l.Hello! My name is Pierpaolo Pravatto, and I’m an Italian chemist driven by an unwavering passion for science and technology. Whether I’m tinkering with electronics, diving into new chemical reactions and mechanisms, exploring the great outdoors on a hike, or pushing myself at the gym, my curiosity and enthusiasm know no bounds.
My chemistry journey began at the Umberto Follador Institute in Agordo, where I graduated with honors in chemistry and industrial chemistry. During the preparation for my high school final exam, I prepared a small thesis work, done through a collaboration with Amonn Color, focusing on intumescent coatings, their chemistry, and their properties.
During high school, I participated multiple times in the Italian National Chemistry Championship, consistently achieving strong rankings in the regional tournament. In the 2013 championship, I placed third in the regional tournament and fifth in the national competition. That same year, I was selected for the training of the Italian Olympic team for the 45th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) held in Pavia. It was during this time that I developed a deep passion for synthetic organic chemistry, a passion that still drives me today.
I continued my academic career at the University of Padova, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry, again graduating with honors. In that period I was also awarded many scholarships including the “Mille ed una lode” scholarship from the University of Padova for academic merit. During my bachelor studies, I kept cultivating my passion for organic and synthetic chemistry but, at the same time, I developed a strong fascination for quantum mechanics and its effect on molecular reactivity and properties. This pushed me to expand my knowledge in this fascinating field and brought me to work under the mentorship of Prof. Giorgio Moro. During my undergraduate thesis, I explored the captivating phenomenon of quantum tunneling, with a focus on estimating tunneling splittings in molecular systems. This research fascinated me, as it allowed me to blend multiple disciplines such as chemistry, physics, and theoretical approaches to explain various effects observed in nature.
Despite shifting academically toward theoretical chemistry, my passion for organic chemistry remained strong. Throughout my university years, I kept this interest alive by engaging with experimental colleagues on synthetic protocols, attending related seminars, and, when possible, conducting synthesis and experiments myself.
During the summers in high school and throughout university breaks, I also gained valuable hands-on experience as a laboratory technician at A&B Chem s.r.l., specializing in environmental chemical analysis. My work focused on detecting trace amounts of organic pollutants in complex matrices using techniques such as GC-MS, GC-FID, and HPLC-FLD/DAD/RID, while also routinely utilizing and maintaining equipment like HPLC-IEC, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and TOC analyzers. During these experiences, I had the opportunity to develop new analysis methods, experimenting with new sampling techniques such as Solid Phase Micro Extraction (SPME), purge and trap systems, and other column-based pre-concentration techniques for the analysis of pollutants in food and drinkable water. I also contributed to developing internal operating procedures and assessing measurement uncertainty.
During my university years, I also proudly participated in the PLS project, aimed at reducing dropout rates in scientific degree programs. I helped create educational materials and supervised students in chemistry courses for biology and biotechnology, merging my love for science with my passion for teaching.
After completing my master’s thesis, I decided to continue my career by enrolling in the molecular sciences Ph.D. course at the University of Padova. To do so, I had sustained the admission examination, ranking first in the admission test and securing, after presenting my research, the financial support for my research from the CARIPARO Foundation. During my Ph.D. I continued my work on tunneling splittings and their relation to the stochastic description of activated processes, under Prof. Giorgio Moro’s supervision. It was during this time that I developed a keen interest in quantum technology and computation, exploring the application of universal quantum computers and quantum annealers to solve complex chemical problems.
My Ph.D. journey also sparked a deep love for programming. I became proficient in C++ and Python and expanded my skill set through various high-performance computing (HPC) courses, learning tools such as OpenMP, OpenACC, MPI, and even some fundamentals of CUDA.
After completing my Ph.D., I pursued a postdoctoral position under Prof. Barbara Fresch, focusing on applied quantum computation. I completed several ongoing projects from my doctoral research, further cementing my expertise in this cutting-edge field.
My transition to the private sector began at Green Energy Storage in Trento, where I worked as an R&D scientist in the field of Redox Flow Batteries (RFBs). In this role, I initially joined the computational chemistry team where my work was focused on ab initio and data-driven prediction of various properties associated with potential organic redox active molecule (ROM) candidates. In that period I also developed software for the analysis of electrochemical data using regular data analysis tools and, sometimes, machine learning algorithms. Later, I moved into experimental work, focusing on the electrochemical characterization of organic electrolytes, and investigating their stability and degradation pathways after electro-oxidation. This experimental work ignited my passion for the field and I hope I will be able to further develop in the future.
Currently, I work at Woodn Greenwood s.r.l., where I was hired as an R&D manager to establish a workflow aimed at enhancing the reaction to fire properties of wood-plastic composites used in the building sector. In this role, I experimented with various PVC-based formulations enhancing their properties and finally obtaining the B certification, the maximum level obtainable for a polymer material, according to the European EN13501-1 norm. In this role, I had the opportunity to interface with suppliers and external partners to achieve company goals. I oversaw the setup of a PVC compounding unit and a small chemistry laboratory. I am currently leading efforts to develop new innovative plastic composites with better technical properties, sustainability, and durability. During this period I also participated in the drafting of two research projects to be presented for public funding, one of which has successfully been financed while the other is still pending evaluation.
Throughout my career, whether in academia or industry, my passion for discovery, innovation, and problem-solving has guided me every step of the way. From synthetic organic chemistry to quantum technologies, I am constantly exploring new frontiers, excited to tackle the next challenge in science and technology.