Maria Anna Coniglio

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Name
Maria Anna Coniglio

Place and Date of Birth
Catania, Italy, 26 August 1973

Address
Via Mario Rapisardi 9, 95030 Tremestieri Etneo (CT), Italy

Tax Code
CNGMNN73M66C351V

Telephone
Office: +39 095 3782087 / 085 / 069

Mobile Phone
+39 3407063211

E-mail
ma.coniglio@unict.it

Nationality
Italian

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Dates (from – to)
Since September 2012

Position
Director of the Regional Reference Laboratory for Environmental and Clinical Surveillance and the Control of Legionellosis – Catania

Dates (from – to)
Since Academic Year 2025–2026

Position
Associate Professor of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine – University of Catania

Dates (from – to)
Since Academic Year 2005–2006

Position
Adjunct Professor of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine – University of Catania

Dates (from – to)
Since Academic Year 2005–2006

Position
Permanent Researcher at the “G.F. Ingrassia” Department – University of Catania

Dates (from – to)
Since July 2003

Position
University Researcher in the MED/42 Academic Sector: General and Applied Hygiene – University of Catania

Dates (from – to)
Since 2002

Position
Specialist Trainee at the School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine – University of Catania

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Dates (from – to)
Academic Year 1997–1998 to Academic Year 2001–2002

Institution
School of Specialization in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine – University of Catania

Qualification Awarded
Specialist in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine

Final Grade
70/70 with honours

Dates (from – to)
Academic Year 1991–1992 to Academic Year 1996–1997

Institution
University of Catania

Qualification Awarded
Degree in Medicine and Surgery

Final Grade
110/110 with honours

PUBLICATIONS, CONFERENCES AND TRAINING PLACEMENTS

PUBLICATIONS
Approximately one hundred publications in national and international scientific journals, as well as three manuals on topics related to Hygiene and Public Health.

CONFERENCES
More than 50 presentations, both invited and contributed, at national and international courses, congresses, and conferences.

TRAINING PLACEMENTS

Dates (from – to)
April 2000

Institution
International Centre for Salmonella – Institut Pasteur, Paris

Dates (from – to)
October 2000 – May 2011

Institution
International Centre for Salmonella – Institut Pasteur, Paris

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Research activities are structured around four main thematic areas:

1. Studies on methods for the remediation and control of Legionella in water distribution and air-conditioning systems;
2. Development of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) for the prevention of legionellosis in healthcare and community settings;
3. Strategies for coordinating working groups involved in the surveillance and monitoring of legionellosis;
4. Identification of biosensor systems for the detection of heavy metals in water.

• Oliveri Conti G, Rapisarda P, Mancini G, Castiglia P, Pulvirenti E, Azara A, Deiana G, Coniglio MA, Ferrante M, Dettori M. Microplastics in Tap Water and Human Exposure: A Systematic Review and Estimated Daily Intakes Calculation. Microplastics 2026, 5, 95. doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5020095
• D. Corso, G. A. Screpis, M.A. Coniglio, S. Libertino and S. Pennisi, "Design and Application of a Silicon Photomultiplier-based Platform for Biosensing," 2025 20th International Conference on PhD Research in Microelectronics and Electronics (PRIME), Taormina, Italy, 2025, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/PRIME66228.2025.11203615.
• Capuano G., Corso D., Farina R., Pezzotti G., Screpis G.A., Coniglio M.A., Libertino S. Miniaturizable Printed Microfluidics Chemiluminescence System for ATP Detection in Water. Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIEConference Paper2025; DOI: 10.1117/12.3043126
• Farina, R.; Scalese, S.; Alberti, A.; Privitera, S.M.S.; Capuano, G.E.; Corso, D.; Screpis, G.A.; Reina, S.C.R.; Condorelli, G.G.; Coniglio, M.A. et al. Electrocatalytical Nitrite Oxidation via Manganese and Copper Oxides on Carbon Screen-Printed Electrode. Sensors 2025, 25, 3764. https://doi.org/10.3390/s25123764
• Scaturro M, Girolamo A, Bella A, Rota MC, Marella AM, Amari R, Ingrassia M, Barberis D, Romano C, Borney F, Damasco F, Buratto MT, Fortin M, Caricato G, LaVecchia G, Casaburi F, Dragone M, Cavallaro M, Tozzi G, Ceccarelli E, Coniglio MA, Agodi A, Coroneo V, Sanna A, Cristina ML, Spagnolo AM, Cristino S, Spiteri S, DeLellis L, DeMirto D, Ferrari F, Guiso MG, Foti M, Graziano E, Franchi M, Felice A, Giammanco A, Fasciana T, Grucci A, Ballarini E, Helfer F, Corradi I, Laganà P, Facciolà A, Mansi A, Marcelloni AM, Marchesi I, Bargellini A, Mari M, Palmieri S, Miana P, DellaSala S, DeGiglio O, Montagna MT, Diella G, Moschin A, Lugarini G, Ottaviano C, Caprini A, Rossi AM, Pagano M, Talini M, Gestri D, Vespa G, Croce C, Viggiani M, Livi S, Ricci ML. 2025. Interlaboratory comparison of culture- and PCR-based methods for Legionella pneumophila detection in drinking water samples. Appl Environ Microbiol 91:e00236-25. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00236-25
• Farina, R.; D’Arrigo, G.; Alberti, A.; Capuano, G.E.; Corso, D.; Screpis, G.A.; Coniglio, M.A.; Condorelli, G.G.; Libertino, S. Electrochemical Growth of Copper Crystals on SPCE for Electrocatalysis Nitrate Reduction. Nanomaterials 2024, 14, 1704. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nano14211704
• Farina, R.; Scalese, S.; Corso, D.; Capuano, G.E.; Screpis, G.A.; Coniglio, M.A.; Condorelli, G.G.; Libertino, S. Chronoamperometric Ammonium Ion Detection in Water via Conductive Polymers and Gold Nanoparticles. Molecules 2024, 29, 3028. https://doi.org/10.3390/ molecules29133028
• Screpis, G.A.; Aleo, A.; Privitera, N.; Capuano, G.E.; Farina, R.; Corso, D.; Libertino, S.; Coniglio, M.A. Biosensing Technologies for Detecting Legionella in Environmental Samples: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 1855. https://doi.org/10.3390/ microorganisms12091855
• Farina, R.; D’Arrigo, G.; Alberti, A.; Scalese, S.; Capuano, G.E.; Corso, D.; Screpis, G.A.; Coniglio, M.A.; Condorelli, G.G.; Libertino, S. Copper Micro-Flowers for Electrocatalytic Sensing of Nitrate Ions in Water. Sensors 2024, 24, 4501. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24144501
• Capuano, G.E.; Corso, D.; Farina, R.; Pezzotti Escobar, G.; Screpis, G.A.; Coniglio, M.A.; Libertino, S. Miniaturizable Chemiluminescence System for ATP Detection in Water. Sensors 2024, 24, 3921. https://doi.org/10.3390/ s24123921
• Coniglio, M.A.; Yassin, M.H. Clinical and Environmental Surveillance for the Prevention of Legionellosis. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/ microorganisms12050939
• Caruso, G.; Coniglio, M.A.; Laganà, P.; Fasciana, T.; Arcoleo, G.; Arrigo, I.; Di Carlo, P.; Palermo, M.; Giammanco, A. Validation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification-Based Kit for the Detection of Legionella pneumophila in Environmental Samples According to ISO/TS 12869:2012. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 961. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/microorganisms12050961
• Coniglio MA, Fuochi V, furneri PM. Inactivation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mature Biofilm by Monochloramine. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry 2023 Volume 13, Issue 6, 2023, 576 https://doi.org/10.33263/BRIAC136.576
• C. Protano,  F. Valeriani, A. De Giorgi, S. Angelillo, A. Bargellini, A. Bianco, L. Bianco, G. Caggiano, M.E. Colucci, M.A. Coniglio, L. Dallolio, O. De Giglio, G. Di Giuseppe, H.S. Mhmoued Abdo Elhadidy, M.E. Gioffrè, P. Laganà, F. Licata, I. Marchesi, A. Masini, M.T. Montagna, C. Napoli, G.B. Orsi, C. Pasquarella, C.P. Pelullo, S. Paduano, R. Sacchetti, G. Scaioli, R. Siliquini, L. Veronesi, G. Liguori, V. Romano Spica, M. Vitali, F. Gallè. Consumption of Energy Drinks among Italian University students: a cross‑sectional multicenter study. European Journal of Nutrition (2023) 62:2195–2203 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03140-w
• F. Gallè, F. Valeriani, A. De Giorgi, S. Angelillo, A. Bargellini, A. Bianco, L.Bianco, G. Caggiano, M.E. Colucci, M.A. Coniglio, L. Dallolio, O. De Giglio, G. Di Giuseppe, H.S. Mhmoued Abdo Elhadidy, M.E. Gioffrè, P. Laganà, F. Licata, I. Marchesi, A. Masini, M.T. Montagna, C. Napoli, G.B. Orsi, C. Pasquarella, C.P. Pelullo, S. Paduano, R. Sacchetti, G.Scaioli, R. Siliquini, L. Veronesi, G. Liguori, V. Romano Spica, M. Vitali, C. Protano, Assessment of dietary supplement consumption among Italian university students: The multicenter DiSCo study, Nutrition, Volume 107, 2023, 111902, ISSN 0899-9007, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2022.111902.
• Filice, S.; Sciuto, E.L.; Scalese, S.; Faro, G.; Libertino, S.; Corso, D.; Timpanaro, R.M.; Laganà, P.; Coniglio, M.A. Innovative Antibiofilm Smart Surface against Legionella for Water Systems. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 870. https://doi.org/10.3390/ microorganisms10050870
• Gallè, F.; Valeriani, F.; Marotta, D.; De Giorgi, A.; Bargellini, A.; Bianco, A.; Colucci, M.E.; Coniglio, M.A.; Dallolio, L.; De Giglio, O.; et al. What about Your Body Ornament? Experiences of Tattoo and Piercing among Italian Youths. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 12429. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph 182312429
• Sciuto, E.L.; Leonardi, A.A.; Calabrese, G.; Luca, G.D.; Coniglio, M.A.; Irrera, A.; Conoci, S. Nucleic Acids Analytical Methods for Viral Infection Diagnosis: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 1585. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/biom11111585
• Commodari E, La Rosa VL, Coniglio MA and Conti D (2021) Editorial: Closure and Reopening of Schools and Universities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevention and Control Measures, Support Strategies for Vulnerable Students and Psychosocial Needs. Front. Psychol. 12:769622. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.769622
• Ferrante, M.; Oliveri Conti, G.; Blandini, G.L.; Cacia, G.; Distefano, C.; Distefano, G.; Mantione, V.; Ursino, A.; Milletari, G.; Coniglio, M.A.; et al. Microclimatic and Environmental Surveillance of Operating Theaters: Trend and Future Perspectives. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 1273. https://doi.org/10.3390/ atmos12101273
• Protano, C.; Valeriani, F.; Marotta, D.; Bargellini, A.; Bianco, A.; Caggiano, G.; Colucci, M.E.; Coniglio, M.A.; Dallolio, L.; De Giglio, O.; et al. Assessing Undergraduates’ Perception of Risks Related to Body Art in Italy: The SUPeRBA Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 9233. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph18179233
• Sciuto, E.L.; Corso, D.; Libertino, S.; van der Meer, J.R.; Faro, G.; Coniglio, M.A. A Miniaturized Microbe-Silicon-Chip Based on Bioluminescent Engineered Escherichia coli for the Evaluation of Water Quality and Safety. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 7580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph18147580
• Sciuto, E.L.; Laganà, P.; Filice, S.; Scalese, S.; Libertino, S.; Corso, D.; Faro, G.; Coniglio, M.A. Environmental Management of Legionella in Domestic Water Systems: Consolidated and Innovative Approaches for Disinfection Methods and Risk Assessment. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 577. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/microorganisms9030577
• Sciuto EL, Filice S, Coniglio MA, Faro G,Gradon L, Galati C, Spinella N,  Libertino S, Scalese S. Antimicrobial s-PBC Coatings for Innovative Multifunctional Water Filters. Molecules 2020, 25, 5196; doi:10.3390/molecules25215196
• E. Commodari, V.L. La Rosa, M.A. Coniglio. Health risk perceptions in the era of the new coronavirus: are the Italian people ready for a novel virus? A cross-sectional study on perceived personal and comparative susceptibility for infectious diseases. Public Health 187 (2020) 8e14 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.07.036
• Coniglio MA, Commodari E, Laganà P. Predictive factors for eating disorders in a cohort of Sicilian female students. Progress in Nutrition 2020; Vol. 22, N. 3: e2020043 DOI: 10.23751/pn.v22i3.10422
• Laganà P, Delia S, Di Pietro A, Costa A, Coniglio MA. Antibiotic resistance in bacteria strains isolated from foods and correlated environments. Progress in Nutrition 2020; Vol. 22, N. 3: e2020041 DOI: 10.23751/pn.v22i3.10407
• Pasqualina L, Coniglio MA, Corso C, Lo Turco V, Dattilo G, Delia S. Mediterranean diet, sport and health. Progress in Nutrition 2020; Vol. 22, N. 3: e2020045 DOI: 10.23751/pn.v22i3.10461
• Laganà P, Coniglio MA, Fiorino M, Martins Delgado A, Chammen N, Issaoui M, Gambuzza ME, Iommi C, Soraci L, Haddad MA, Delia S. Phenolic Substances in Foods and Anticarcinogenic Properties: A Public Health Perspective, Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volume 103, Issue 4, July-August 2020, Pages 935–939, https://doi.org/10.1093/jaocint/qsz028
• Sciuto, E.L.; Coniglio, M.A.; Corso, D.; van der Meer, J.R.; Acerbi, F.; Gola, A.; Libertino, S. Biosensors in Monitoring Water Quality and Safety: An Example of a Miniaturizable Whole-Cell Based Sensor for Hg²⁺ Optical Detection in Water. Water 2019, 11, 1986. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11101986
• Laganà P, Delia S, Coniglio MA. Cardiology Rehabilitation wards: Isolation of Staphylococcus capitis. A risk of infection to be kept under control. Cor Vasa 2019;61:e79–e81.
• Fuochi V, Coniglio MA, Laghi L, Rescifina A, Caruso M, Stivala A and Furneri PM (2019) Metabolic Characterization of Supernatants Produced by Lactobacillus spp. With in vitro Anti-Legionella Activity. Front. Microbiol. 10:1403. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01403
• Lagana, ` P., Anastasi, G., Marano, F., Piccione, S., Singla, R. K., Dubey, A. K., Delia, S., Coniglio, M.A., Facciolà, A., Di Pietro, A., Haddad, M. A., Al-Hiary, M., & Caruso, G. (2019). Phenolic substances in foods: Health effects as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents. Journal of AOAC International, 102(5), 1378–1387. https://doi. org/10.5740/jaoacint.19-0131
• Coniglio, M.A.; Ferrante, M.; Yassin, M.H. Preventing Healthcare-Associated Legionellosis: Results after 3 Years of Continuous Disinfection of Hot Water with Monochloramine and an Effective Water Safety Plan. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 1594. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15081594
• Coniglio MA, Laganà P, Faro G, Marranzano M. Antimicrobial Potential of Sicilian Honeys Against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volume 101, Issue 4, 1 July 2018, Pages 956–959, https://doi.org/10.5740/jaoacint.17-0450
• Maria Teresa Montagna 1,*, Osvalda De Giglio 1 , Maria Luisa Cristina 2 , Christian Napoli 3 , Claudia Pacifico 1 , Antonella Agodi 4 , Tatjana Baldovin 5 , Beatrice Casini 6 , Maria Anna Coniglio 4 , Marcello Mario D’Errico 7 , Santi Antonino Delia 8 , Maria Grazia Deriu 9 , Marco Guida 10, Pasqualina Laganà 8 , Giorgio Liguori 11, Matteo Moro 12, Ida Mura 9 , Francesca Pennino 13, Gaetano Privitera 6 , Vincenzo Romano Spica 14, Silvia Sembeni 15 , Anna Maria Spagnolo 2 , Stefano Tardivo 15, Ida Torre 13, Federica Valeriani 14 , Roberto Albertini 16 and Cesira Pasquarella. Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 670; doi:10.3390/ijerph14070670
• Montagna, M.T. et al. (2017). Legionella Indoor Air Contamination in Healthcare Environments. In: Capolongo, S., Settimo, G., Gola, M. (eds) Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Facilities. SpringerBriefs in Public Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49160-8_6
• Romano-Spica V,  Macini P, Fara GM, Giammanco G and the attendees of the 47th Course on: “Adapted Physical Activity in Sport, Wellness and Fitness: New Challenges for prevention and Health Promotion” organized by the International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine “G D’Alessandro” Erice, 20-24 April 2015 Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture GSMS – Working Group on Movement Sciences for Health, Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. Adapted Physical Activity for the Promotion of Health and the Prevention of Multifactorial Chronic Diseases: the Erice Charter. Ann Ig 2015; 27: 406-414 doi:10.7416/ai.2015.2028
• Marranzano M, Ragusa R, Platania M, Faro G, Coniglio MA. Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards patients with HIV/AIDS in staff nurses in one university hospital in Sicily. ebph [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2026 Apr. 10];10(1). Available from: https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/ebph/article/view/18250
• Coniglio, M.A., Faro, G., Giammanco, G., Pignato, S., & Marranzano, M. (2013). Antimicrobial potential of Sicilian honeys against commensal Escherichia coli and pathogenic Salmonella serovar infantis. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 54, 223–226.
• Coniglio MA, Sidoti E, Pignato S, Giammanco G, Marranzano M. A pilot study of internet usage patterns in a group of italian university students. Italian Journal of Public Health, 9(2), 2012 pp. 67–72
• Coniglio MA, Platania M, Privitera D, Giammanco G, Pignato S. Parents' attitudes and behaviours towards recommended vaccinations in Sicily, Italy BMC Public Health Article Open  Access 2011 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-305

• Environmental hygiene, water quality and safety;
• Legionellosis and the prevention of healthcare-associated infections;
• Environmental microbiology, antimicrobial resistance and biofilms;
• Public health, epidemiology and health promotion;
• Innovative technologies and biosensors applied to environmental and health surveillance.