(Update February 10th, 2026)

Professor Daniela Medas, dmedas@unica.it

Geologist specialized in environmental mineralogy and geochemistry. The main research activities are aimed to investigate: the interaction between the geosphere, the hydrosphere and the biosphere, the chemical and structural evolution of minerals, the incorporation of harmful chemical species into minerals and biominerals.

Current position

Professor (Associate), 04/A1, GEO/06. Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences (DSCG), University of Cagliari (November 2020-present).

Education at the DSCG, University of Cagliari (Italy)

PhD in Earth Science, GEO/06. March 2012.

Master’s Degree in Geological Sciences, GEO/06 and 08. October 2008.

Bachelor's Degree in Earth Sciences, GEO/08. October 2006.

Research experiences at the DSCG, University of Cagliari (Italy), GEO/06, 08 and 09

Type B temporary researcher, 2020-2023.

Research and postdoctoral fellows, 2018-2020. Innovative technologies for the abatement and recovery of metals in mine environment, CESA.

Self-employment contract, ARSELLA project, 2018. Zn K-edge XAS data analysis.

Postdoctoral fellow, 2016-2017. Synchrotron techniques applied to the incorporation of Zn and other transition metals during biomineralization processes.

Term-contract worker, 2016. Zn K-edge XAS data analysis of biominerals.

Postdoctoral fellow, 2014-2015. Minerals and biosphere, PRIN 2010-2011. Investigation of biomineralization processes. Field study, SEM, TEM, X-ray microscopy, IR, NMR, XAS investigation, and isotopic (Fe, Zn) analysis.

Postdoctoral fellow, 2012-2014. Carbon dioxide uptake and stabilization of alkaline residues via enhanced carbonation. Accelerated carbonation of CKD and Waelz slag, mineralogical study, geochemical modelling.

Term-contract worker, 2012. Sampling of geological samples, ICP-OES, ICP-MS and XRD; characterization of biominerals.

Scientific responsibility for international and national research projects

Scientific responsible of the research unit UNICA in the PRIN2022 PNRR - The antimony resource in Italy: evaluation of environmental impact and ore exploration of a critical raw material: UNIFI, CNR and UNICA (CUP F53D23012680001), 2023-2025.

Scientific responsible of the research unit UNICA in the PRIN 2020EEMH5R - bIogeochemiCal fate of emerging Anthropogenic pollutants in the sedimentary Record: a model based on foraminifEra (ICare): UNIVPM and UNICA (CUP F73C22000230001), 2022-2025.

Member of the Start up project Insights for protecting groundwater: geological and hydrogeochemical tools for monitoring nitrate pollution and tailored solution for sustainable agricultural practices (Piano Nazionale delle Ricerche, PNR 2021-2027), 2023-2025.

Member (critical mass) of the PNRR project multi-Risk sciEnce for resilienT commUnities undeR a changiNg climate (RETURN) (2022-2025).

Member (critical mass) of the PNRR project Ecosystem of Innovation for Next Generation Sardinia (e.INS) (2022-2025).

Main proposer, EV-642 XAS ESRF project: Fate and chemical speciation of antimony (Sb) during uptake and translocation by Dittrichia viscosa.

Main proposer, 20200302 XRF Elettra project: Microscopic processes ruling the attenuation of pollutants in the hyporheic zone of mine-polluted rivers. November 2020.

Main proposer, 20192072 CERIC project: Fate of metals and pollutants in marine benthic micro- and macrofauna. XAS, IR and STXM. November 2019.

Co-proposer for several projects at the ESRF (France), Elettra (Italy), Alba (Spain) and Diamond Light Source (UK). XRD, XAS, IR, XRF, STXM.

Scientific responsibility for research activities in international and national projects

- FdS2020 - Sustainable land management: the tools of geology for the environment.

- P7 ERANETMED2 72094 SUPREME (UNICA-CRS4-ENEA, Italy; Agricultural Research Institute, Ricerca e sviluppo, Cyprus; National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension, Jordan).

- CESA - Eccellenza per la Sostenibilità Ambientale, RAS-IGEA, 2016.

- TESTARE (TEcnologie e STrumenti di cARatterizzazione e gestione avanzata dell'ambientE) CUP F21B17000790005.

- UMBRELLA project (Using MicroBes for the REgulation of heavy metaL mobiLity at ecosystem and landscape scAle: an integrative approach for soil remediation by geobiological processes, grant number 226870).

- Carbon dioxide uptake and stabilization of alkaline residues via enhanced carbonation, RAS grant CRP 25 659.

- Minerals and biosphere, PRIN 2010-2011.

- SMERI, Sviluppo di Metodologie per la progettazione di interventi di biorimedio, trasferimento tecnologico di approcci e strumenti innovativi per il biorisanamento” POR FESR SARDEGNA.

Participation in the activities of a research group characterized by collaborations at national or international level

Research group UNICA-IGEA-AUSI, CESA project, RAS, grant number: E58C16000080003. Mineralogical and chemical characterization of mining wastes and weathering processes; pilot experiments for the development of biogeochemical barriers; synchrotron experiments.

Research group of the P7 ERANETMED2 72094 SUPREME project (UNICA-CRS4-ENEA, Italy; Agricultural Research Institute, Ricerca e sviluppo, Cyprus; National Center for Agricultural Research and Extension, Jordan). Mineralogical and geochemical studies. Green-house experiments.

Research group of the cluster top down TESTARE project (TEcnologie e STrumenti di cARatterizzazione e gestione avanzata dell'ambientE) CUP F21B17000790005. Synchrotron characterization of the investigated materials.

Research group of Dr Richard B. Wanty (U.S.G.S.), Uniwersytet Jagiellonski (Poland) and ENEA (Rome, Italy). Organization of synoptic sampling and tracer-injection technique, and analysis. Investigation of geo-bio interaction processes.

Research group of Prof. Pilario Costagliola and Dr Valentina Rimondi (University of Florence). As and Hg mobility and speciation in different environmental matrices.

Research group of Prof. Carlo Meneghini (University of Rome 3). Analysis and elaboration of XAS and XRF data.

Research group of Prof. Giovanna Cappai (DICAAR, Cagliari) for several projects and PhD theses.

Research group of the SMERI project, Sviluppo di MEtodologie per bio Rimedio, Sardegna Ricerche. Geo-bio interaction investigation.

Assignment of teaching assignments, within the research doctorates accredited by the Ministry and other teaching experiences

PhD teaching (PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Technologies): Synchrotron light techniques in the field of environmental sciences (2018-2024); ICP-MS course (ay 2017-2018).

Teaching Assistant in mineralogy (2018) and environmental mineralogy (2012-2014).

Co-advisor and advisor for Master and PhD theses.

Teaching in biomineralogy.

Teaching in environmental mineralogy.

Orientation activities.