EDUCATION
- February 14, 2002: PhD in Microbiological Sciences (XIII cycle), obtained from the University of Genoa, with a thesis titled: "Immune Response in Spirochete Infections."
- January 1999: Registered in the National Register of Biologists. Since 2022, registered with the Order of Biologists of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, registration number ERM_A01432.
- July 16, 1997: Specialization in Microbiology and Virology, obtained from the University of Bologna, with a thesis titled: "Surface Proteins and Pathogenicity in Borrelia anserina." Final grade: 70/70 with honors.
- 1994: State Exam for the qualification to practice as a biologist, second session, University of Bologna, with a grade of 142/150.
- July 19, 1993: Degree in Biological Sciences, obtained from the University of Bologna. Final grade: 110/110 with honors. Experimental thesis in Microbiology at the Institute of Microbiology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, titled: "Surface Immunofluorescence in the Detection of Antibodies Against Borrelia burgdorferi."
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ACTIVITIES
- June 2022: Appointed as Associate Professor at the University of Bologna.
- October 2013: Confirmed in the role as Researcher at the University of Bologna.
- October 2010: Appointed as Researcher at the University of Bologna.
- March 2008 - February 2010: Research fellowship at the Department of Hematology and Oncological Sciences “L.A. Seragnoli,” University of Bologna, titled: "Treponema pallidum in Maternal-Fetal Infections."
- March 2006 - February 2008: Research fellowship at the Department of Clinical, Specialist, and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna, titled: "Host-Parasite Interaction in Infections by Chlamydia pneumoniae and Treponema pallidum."
- February 2004 - January 2006: Research contract titled: "Development of Animal Models for Chlamydia Infections: Applications of New Vaccines," at the Department of Clinical, Specialist, and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna.
- September 2001 - February 2004: Research contract titled: "The Surface of Spirochetes as a Target of the Immune Response," at the Department of Clinical, Specialist, and Experimental Medicine, University of Bologna.
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
- Member of the PhD board in "Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences DIBINEM" since the academic year 2022/2023.
- Lecturer of "General Microbiology," integrated course in "Preventive and Community Sciences," and coordinator of the same course, for the Degree Program in Nursing, Bologna campus, since the academic year 2022/2023.
- Lecturer of "Microbiology" for the Degree Program in Medicine and Surgery (group L-Z) since the academic year 2017/2018.
- Previously lecturer of "Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology," integrated course in "Public Health Sciences," and coordinator of the same course, for the Degree Program in Nursing, Bologna campus, from the academic year 2012/2013.
- Previously lecturer of the cross-curricular course in English "Sustainable Development and One Health," Rimini campus, from the academic year 2020/2021 to 2022/2023.
- Previously lecturer of "Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology," integrated course in "Public Health Sciences," for the Degree Program in Nursing, Rimini campus, from the academic year 2012/2013 to 2020/2021.
- Supervisor of master's theses in Health Biology, master's theses in Medical Biotechnology, bachelor's theses (in Biological Sciences, Nursing, and Biotechnology), single-cycle degree theses (in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and in Medicine and Surgery), doctoral theses, and specialization theses in the two Schools of Specialization in Microbiology and Virology (for physicians and non-physicians), at the University of Bologna.
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
Her research activity has mainly focused on the pathogenesis of diseases caused by spirochetes and chlamydiae, developing in vitro and in vivo models to evaluate host-bacteria interactions. In particular, the studies have included:
- Defense mechanisms of the immune system in relation to spirochete surface proteins.
- Interactions between Kupffer cells and spirochetes: phagocytosis, production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and cytokine production.
- Interactions between Kupffer cells and Chlamydia pneumoniae: infection and cytokine production.
- Interactions between the immune system and putative membrane proteins of Treponema pallidum.
- Interactions between human monocytes and C. pneumoniae and C. trachomatis.
- Genital chlamydia infections in animal models and the inflammatory response.
- Human vaginal microbiota during dysbiosis and genital tract infections.
She has also collaborated on studies regarding the development and potential diagnostic use of recombinant antigens for the diagnosis of T. pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi infections. In recent years, she has focused on issues related to maternal-fetal transmission infections, particularly infections caused by T. pallidum and Toxoplasma gondii.
Since 2020, she has been part of the fecal transplant program at the IRCSS, University Hospital of Bologna.
Her scientific activity has been presented at national (116) and international (106) conferences and has resulted in 112 publications in international journals.
BIBLIOMETRIC INDICES (as of 21/10/2024)
H-index: 24; Total citations: 2307
PATENTS
Patent filed for a strain of Lactobacillus used to stimulate and rebalance the intestinal microbiota (102021000026339).
University of Bologna patent details [https://www.unibo.it/it/terza-missione/universita-e-impresa/brevetti-ateneo/brevetti-ateneo/scheda/2403] .
INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Member of the Council of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna Representation in the Republic of Argentina, from 2019 to October 2022.
- Member of the Scientific Board of the One Health Departmental Center, within the Department of Specialized, Diagnostic and Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna. The Center was formally approved by the University of Bologna's Board of Directors in November 2019 and has a dual purpose, both scientific, by creating national and international networks for presenting One Health projects, and educational.
- Member of the Commission for International Mobility Projects of Overseas Students (Subcommittee for Latin America, Africa, and the Mediterranean) since the academic year 2016/2017. The commission evaluates the curricula of students who have applied for the International Mobility Program.
- Director of the Specialization School for non-physicians in Microbiology and Virology at the University of Bologna, since December 2023.
- Director of the Specialization School for physicians in Microbiology and Virology at the University of Bologna, since June 2024.
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
Reviewer for various journals (PlosOne, Atherosclerosis, Journal of Clinical Microbiology, New Microbiologica, Pathogens and Disease, Future Microbiology, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology). Editor for PlosOne and Case Reports in Infectious Diseases.
NATIONAL ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
First-tier qualification, SSD MED/07, Competition Sector 06/A3, granted on 13/07/2020, valid until 13/07/2031.
