Dr. Tampieri's research focus is materials science with special attention to inorganic chemistry applications in ceramic materials and bio-hybrid composites. Early in her career from 1986 to 1995, Dr. Tampieri coordinated research collaborations for the development of High-Tc Ceramic Superconductors.

Beginning in 1995, Dr. Tampieri created a new research group dedicated to the development of biomaterials and biotechnology for regenerative medicine. Her research team combines a high degree of technical specialization with broad interdisciplinary expertise that supports a large number of national and international research projects.

Dr. Tampieri's research is internationally recognized for contributions to global health. Her research on osteochondral substitutes was named one of the most important contributions to human healthcare in 2008 by the Literature Awareness System (UK). The commercial development of this innovation by Dr. Tampieri, resulted in a CE marked osteochondral scaffold product, which has been adopted for orthopaedic surgical practice in Europe as the first step toward a completely biologic prosthesis.

The Dr. Tampieri's approach to research is to tackle new and complex problems from a technological perspective. TIME magazine named her research project From Wood to Bone one of 50 most important inventions of 2009. This innovation received worldwide media attention including interviews, articles in specialized and popular magazines, and international TV and radio appearances. The BBC, Sidney Broadcasting News, The Discovery Channel, and Reuter Television have reported on Dr. Tampieri's research initiatives.

Dr. Tampieri's research program focuses on synthesis methodologies, forming methods, sintering processes, and the relationships between microstructural properties and material performance.

Specific initiatives include development of:
-highly porous bioactive bone scaffolds endowed with intrinsic magnetic properties
-biomorphic ceramics with hierarchically organized morphology, derived from the transformation of native ligneous structures for load-bearing applications
-ceramic pastes/cements, designed to exhibit high interconnected porosity and mechanical strength
-bio-hybrid composites based on natural polymers and mineralized with nanostructured biomimetic apatites following biologically inspired processes
-bio-hybrid scaffolds exhibiting mineralization gradients, obtained through interpenetration of bio-hybrid composites for the selective regeneration of bone and osteo-cartilaginous tissues
-organomorphic transformations to obtain three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds that reproduce the morphology and functionality of stromal/vascular systems
-innovative filters for nanoparticles
-recycling technology for nanopowders to reduce environmental toxicity
-intelligent drug delivery systems using nanoparticles driven by magnetic signals