During the September 2025 graduation sessions, three research projects stood out, developed thanks to the collaboration of Prof. Massimo Caruso, the REPLICA research team, and CoEHAR

The scientific activity carried out by CoEHAR is a reference point for many young undergraduates at the University of Catania, offering significant insights and opportunities for study in the field of health and tobacco harm reduction research. Once again this year, several students chose to dedicate their thesis work to topics related to harm reduction and tobacco control research.

The protagonists of this session were Arianna D’Angelo, Miriana Cantali, and Chiara Giardina—the latter already awarded the KAC scholarship for a research project conducted in collaboration with the REPLICA team.

The REPLICA Project, promoted by CoEHAR, has achieved important results in recent years in the field of applied research on smoking-related harm and tobacco harm reduction, replicating and validating the findings of the most renowned international studies through a standardized methodology adopted by all affiliated centers.

The first dissertation linked to the REPLICA project was presented by Miriana Cantali, who discussed her Master’s thesis in Medical Biotechnology entitled: “Effects of cigarette smoke and electronic cigarette aerosols on antitumor therapy in a pharyngeal cancer model.”

Arianna D’Angelo defended her Bachelor’s thesis in Biotechnology with a dissertation entitled: “Effects of cigarette smoke in a myelofibrosis model.”

Finally, Chiara Giardina presented her thesis entitled: “Gene expression profile of human bronchial epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke and nicotine,” a study that is part of the research project which earned her the KAC scholarship.

Thesis supervisor was Prof. Massimo Caruso, co-project leader of REPLICA, while the graduates were able to rely on the collaboration of Dr. Giuseppe Carota (co-supervisor and CoEHAR researcher), ECLAT, and CoEHAR, which provided facilities and expertise.

“I am proud to have guided these students in the realization of their theses,” commented Prof. Massimo Caruso. “The REPLICA research group continues to work on multiple aspects related to the effects of cigarette smoke and e-cigarette aerosol on human health. The attention and interest devoted to this field allow us to continue working with young and brilliant minds who will be the future of tomorrow’s research.”