PhD Candidate in Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical, and Pharmacological Sciences (FaBiT) at the University of Bologna since 2021, conducting research on the human microbiota. Research interests are particularly focused on the role of the human commensal microbial community in the context of oncological diseases and their current pharmacological treatments.
Education
- 2021 - 2025: PhD in Biotechnological, Biocomputational, Pharmaceutical, and Pharmacological Sciences (B2F2).
Thesis Title: The human microbiota in cancer: unraveling microbial roles in hematological malignancies and colorectal cancer.
- 2018 - 2021: Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (LM-9) at the University of Bologna, School of Pharmacy and Biotechnology.
Thesis Title: Development of microfluidic culture techniques for studying the spread of neurodegenerative diseases.
- 2015 - 2018: Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology (L-2) at the University of Bologna, School of Pharmacy and Biotechnology.
Thesis Title: Effect of the antioxidant N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on the preservation of ovarian tissue undergoing cryopreservation.
Professional Experience
- 2021 - 2024: PhD student at the Human Microbiomics Unit (HMU) under Professor Patrizia Brigidi, focusing on the study of the human microbiota in various pathological contexts, mainly in patients affected by hematological cancers and colorectal cancer. During this period, I have had the opportunity to study and understand the relationship between the human microbiota and host physiology in various pathological states, engaging in several projects funded by national research associations, the Ministry of Health, and European initiatives. I have also served as a co-supervisor for thesis students who completed their internships at HMU.
- 2021: Master’s internship at Professor Giampaolo Zuccheri’s Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, where I gained expertise in spheroid and organoid culture techniques aimed at validating new approaches for anti-cancer drug screening. During this period, I was involved in the design and preparation of microstructured devices made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for 3D cell culture. My thesis project focused on developing a microfluidic culture system for morphological and immunocytochemical analyses in optical and fluorescence microscopy to study neuroinflammation spread and the associated neurodegenerative state.
- 2018: Bachelor's internship at the Unit of Gynecology and Human Reproduction Pathophysiology, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, under Dr. Raffaella Fabbri, where the research group focused on ovarian tissue cryopreservation and subsequent reimplantation in oncology patients to restore ovarian functionality in young women undergoing intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.
