Laura Mercolini, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna (Bologna, Italy). She received a M.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology followed by a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Bologna. During her doctoral and postdoctoral studies, she spent some time abroad for research at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach (CA, USA) and at the University of Geneva (Switzerland), and in 2013 began her independent career as team leader at the University of Bologna. The Mercolini’s goup (PTA Lab) focuses on the development of innovative strategies for the analysis of bioactive compounds in biological and non-biological samples. The aim is the design of advanced analytical methods for the identification and quantitation of drugs, metabolites and biomarkers, as well as illicit drugs, NPS, prohibited substances in sport and natural compounds. Current areas of research interest cover the implementation of cutting-edge strategies based on mass spectrometry coupled to point-ofcare procedures for microsampling and miniaturized sample treatment. Laura Mercolini is also Researcher at the Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research (CIRIMAM) of the University of Bologna, Rimini Campus. She has been nominated Delegate for Quality of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology. She acts as the Director of the second level professional Master's Programme in Forensic Chemical and Chemical-Toxicological Analyses. Laura Mercolini is Associate Editor of Medicinal Research Reviews (Wiley, impact factor 2022: 13.3). Recent honours include the 2021 ElSholy Award from the American Chemical Society (ACS) for excellence in Cannabis chemistry.