Statement: I dedicated my research to understand the role of chaperones in the maintenance of proteostasis and their implication in rare neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases, characterized by cognitive defects including for example Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. My research contributions were fundamental in shaping the concept of protein quality control of biomolecular condensates, showing the existence of a strong link between phase-separating proteins, condensates dynamics and protein quality control failure, with important implications for cell function and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. My training in pharmaceutical chemistry and neurobiology and the acquired expertise in the field of proteostasis and its novel role in maintaining the dynamics and function of RNA-protein biomolecular condensates positions me to be able to study the molecular mechanisms at the basis of complex diseases and identify potential targets for therapeutic purposes.
–
Scientific Career
2015: Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
Since 2011: Research Group Leader at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)
2009-2011: Assistant Professor at University Medical Center Groningen (The Netherlands)
2007-2009: Post-doctoral Fellow at University Medical Center Groningen (The Netherlands)
2004-2007: Post-doctoral Fellow at Laval University (Québec, Canada)
2004: PhD in Neuroscience, University of Catania
–
Awards
- 8th June 2023, Alberto Pio III Award, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, District 2072°, Italy
- 2022, The Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation and AirAlzh, mid-career on neurodegenerative diseases
- 2017, Ferruccio Ritossa Early Career Award, Turku, Finland
- 2011, Rita Levi Montalcini Award, Governmental Award to attract excellent researchers in Italy
- 2009 – 2012, Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant FP7
- 2008, Young Investigator Award National Ataxia Foundation, USA