Prof. Maria Maisano is Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences of the University of Messina, Italy. She lectures on "Cytology and Histology" and "Developmental Biology" for the Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, and on "Biotechnologies in cytotoxicology" for the Master's Degree in Biology. She was member of the Teaching Board of the Doctorate of Research in "Biology and Cellular Biotechnologies" until the XXVIII cycle, and actually she is member of the Doctorate of Research in "Applied Biology and Experimental Medicine". Her scientific activity mainly focuses on a) teratogenic and embryotoxic effects of classical (metals, hydrocarbons, etc.) and emerging (nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals, microplastics) environmental pollutants, by using invertebrate and low vertebrate embryos, b) biomonitoring of natural aquatic environments, by using invertebrates and low vertebrates as bioindicator organisms and applying multibiomarker approaches, c) investigations of environmental nanotoxicology through the use of metal nanoparticles, d) application of recovery strategies for a sustainable development of the sea. To date, she took part to Italian National Research Projects as Participant (PRIN 2007 and PRIN 2011) and as Responsible of Operative Unit and/or Scientific Coordinator to PRIN, FIRB, Interreg Italy-Malta, Horizon 2020 projects.