Siena, Tuscany, Italy
I am a detail-oriented, innovative and passionate PhD scientist with 12 years of research experience in signaling pathways and tissue responses in chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. My goal is to provide solutions to unanswered scientific questions and technical challenges that would lead to better therapies and cost-effective diagnostic strategies. Specialties: Molecular and Companion Diagnostics (EV-based), Signaling mechanisms in chronic inflammatory arthritis and cancer, drug development, target discovery and validation, technology transfer and innovation.
To develop standard operating procedures for sample collection, processing and analysis. Establish and manage external collaborations in the field of companion diagnostics and molecular diagnostics. Develop molecular tools for the analysis of vesicle based biomarkers (miRNA, mRNA and DNA). Design and assemble a kit for the detection of biomarkers for monitoring therapeutic responses and mechanisms of acquired resistance to next-generation cancer therapies.
Research Experience: To investigate the tissue-protective effects of a new class of small-molecule inhibitors of the enzyme prolyl-tRNA-synthetase (EPRS) in vitro and in vivo models of inflammatory arthritis. Also, to elucidate basics and novel molecular mechanisms downstream of the amino acid starvation response pathway in fibroblast, epithelial and cancer cells. Teaching and Leading Experience: Throughout my postdoctoral research training in the Whitman lab, I directly supervised summer students and staff members. In spring 2011 and 2012, I have been the director of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine nanocourse: "Inflammation and Fibrosis in Health and Disease". Learning Experience: I harnessed great scientific insights from the bounty of world-class scientific talks, nanocourses and conferences of Harvard Medical School, Harvard University and MIT. Given my interest in entrepreneurship, management and business, I actively complemented my scientific background with solid business knowledge by attending management and economics classes at Harvard University.
To support and supervise postgraduate student; to publish scientific results in peer-review journals
Post-graduate student investigating signalling pathways involved in cancer and rheumatoid arthritis
From 1999 to 2003 I have attended lectures at the department of Biotechnology and Biosciences to become a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology. From 2003 to 2005 I have been involved in a research project focused on optimising non-conventional yeasts for the production of organic acids and heterologous proteins. In April 2005 I became Master of Science in Industrial Biotechnology. Final Grade: 110/110 cum laude (with Hons.)