Gothenburg, Västra Götaland County, Sweden
I am a Sweden-based Italian, English, and Mandarin-speaking biotechnologist (cancer biology), with experience in CRISPR-Cas9 R&D (AstraZeneca Sweden - Genome Editing R&D), synthetic biology R&D (Life Tech (USA), Exeter University (UK)), cancer biology R&D (TIGEM and DICMAPI, Italy), MFCs R&D (UWE Bristol, UK), and biopharma QC (mRNA vaccines - Patheon Italy). I seek opportunities in synthetic biology, gene editing, cancer biotherapeutics, protein design, and mRNA vaccines in academia/industry. Can work visa-free in the UK (EUSS PSS), EU/EEA, Australia (WHV). In summer 2025, I worked in R&D at AstraZeneca Sweden on sgRNA spacer and scaffold design and testing in a new Cas9 system (PI: Maresca, Svikovic). In 2025, I graduated from the "Pharmatech Academy" specialization in "Gene Therapy and mRNA pharmaceuticals" (Federico II University, Naples), with a joint cancer diagnostic project at TIGEM (PI: Prof. Di Bernardo) and DICMAPI (PI: Prof. Maffettone). In Sep 2021, I completed an AIFA-endorsed post-master specialization in “GMP Compliance Quality Expert for Pharmaceutical Operations” (University of Padua, Italy). In Dec 2021, I completed a 6-months QC Biochem Analyst Internship (mRNA vaccines) at Patheon Italy (Thermofisher Scientific), working in a GMP-QC lab, training on analytical instrumentation, LIMS, and QA/RA (methods, specifications). In 2019-20, I worked as a Research Lab Technician at the University of Exeter, UK (PI: Prof. Love), working on a Shell project for synthetic biology-enhanced microorganisms for advanced biofuels. In 2018, I completed a M.sc. in "Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology" at the University of Trento (Italy), working on miniaturized conventional and biocathode MFC cells, then interned for 6 months at the BRL Lab at UWE Bristol (Erasmus+) on MFC prototyping, contributing to a publication. During my M.sc, I took electives in synthetic biology (lab training + final project on renewable energy), startup entrepreneurship ("Startup Lab"), and data visualization. I took extra courses on Strategy and Innovation (SDA Bocconi) and Data Science with R (Manpower), and a evening diploma in "Electronics and Electrotechnology - Automation Control". In 2013, I interned at the Armenise-Harvard Lab of Synthetic Biology in Trento (PI: Prof. Mansy) on the isolation and assembly of blue fluorescent reporter genes to be embedded in a three-gene synthetic orthogonal circuit. In 2012, I studied abroad at UCSD and interned at Life Technologies in Synthetic Biology R&D (PI: Dr. Katzen), working on "GeneArt Type IIS Assembly Kits".
Part-time intern at AstraZeneca Sweden (supervisor: Dr. Roberto Nitsch - Genome Editing Safety Group). Comparison of Genome Editing Safety in engineered Cas9s via the assesement of CRISPR-Cas9 Off-Targets mutations in Zebrafish: a dry-lab and bioinformatics approach. - Use of bioinformatic tools (Ensemble, NCBI, BLAST) for the assessment and isolation of Zebrafish off target mutations after treatment with engineered Cas9. - Use of Geneious and bioinformatic tools for desin of primers for NGS-compatible sequencing. - Introduction to Optical Genome Mapping gene sequencing technology - Introduction to NGS sequencing technologies (Oxford Nanopore NGS sequencing) - Completion of AstraZeneca internal training, self-study of data analysis techniques, in-hosue training on Thermofisher qPCR equipment. Skills: primer design, sequencing methods and technologies, use of bioinformatic tools (BLAST, NCBI, Ensemble), analysis of data.
Worked as a part time waiter at a busy all you can eat Asian buffet in central Gothenburg. Tasks: opening operations (turning on of hot trays, refilling of soft ice cream machine, welcoming customers at the till, clearing tables of glasses, cups and food residues, serving of beer and soft drinks in the evening). Languages: Chinese (workplace), Swedish and English (customers).
Worked at weekends (Fri nights, Sat nights) at a fine dining Argentinian restaurant and steakhouse in Gothenburg in the roles of waiter, wine server, bartender and kitchen porter. Tasks: making of cocktails to order (caipirinha, espresso martini, aperol spritz, pina colada, martini dry...) serving of wines and beers, introducing customers to the Argentinian menu, , taking orders, serving dishes, clearing and tidying, taking payments, help with washing pans, pots, crockery and cutlery. Languages: Swedish and English (customers), English and Swedish (working language).
Employed part-time (weekday nights and weekends) at Sushi Thai King in Molndal, Sweden. Tasks: welcoming guests, taking food and drink orders, preparing drinks, cleaning tables, and serving food to customers. Skills: languages (Chinese, Swedish, English), retail, time management, providing friendly, fast, and accurate service, working in a busy environment, responsible serving of alcohol.
Summer worker - AstraZeneca Sweden (via Kelly OCG and Poolia Sweden) - CRISPR-Cas9 R&D - Genome Editing Technologies Group (Supervisors: Dr. M. Maresca, Dr. S. Svikovic, Dr. A. Zdravkovic). CRISPR-Cas9 guides engineering: design, testing, and optimization of sgRNA guides for a novel Cas9 protein. - Qualitative and quantitative assessment of spacer and scaffold-optimized de-novo engineered sgRNA sequences in new Cas9 variants. Assessment of sgRNA-mediated Genome Editing efficiency on target gene construct via enzymatic assay (gene functionality rescue). - use of Geneious and bioinformatic tools for sgRNA design and testing - Transformation of DH5a competent cells with plasmid of interest, human cell lines culture and passing, reverse transfection of plasmid of interest into host cells, lipofectamine-mediated transfection of sgRNA in cultured cells, comparison of sgRNA effectiveness in phenotype rescuing, observation of plasmid integration via fluorescence emission, and of Cas9 on-target phenotype rescuing in target cells via immunoenzymatic assay. - Development of independent laboratory work skills (cell biology lab), adaptation of protocols, problem solving and R&D skills (CRISPR-Cas9). - Use of bioinformatic software (Geneious) for sgRNA sequence design and sequence alignmment, use of Pymol for Cas9 structure visualization. - Use of Excel for data elaboration, data visualization via GraphPad, use of ELN notebook for experimental recording, use of ELN suite for experiment logging. - Completed internal training courses, took additional learning modules via AZ training suite, attended group presentations, individual meetings, performed in-progress presentation and final presentation of Summer work. Skills: CRISPR-Cas9, gene editing, sgRNA engineering, sgRNA optimization, cell culture, reverse transfection, data analysis and visualization (Graphpad), R&D skills, nanoluciferase assay, experimental design, Pymol and GraphPad, presentation skills.