Researcher at Technological Innovation Research Institute
My research interest is molecular virology. As a Research Fellow at the Research and Innovation Technology Institute (RIT) at Area Science Park in Trieste, I am studying the interaction between viruses and infected host cell, in particular the synergy between two cellular pathways (UPR and PRR) in mounting an antiviral response and the role of the emerging mutations of SARS-CoV-2 in affecting cellular DNA Damage response and subsequent inflammation and senescence.
During my previous position at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR- Scotland), I built my experience in vaccine development supervising the design and preclinical evaluation of a Zika virus candidate vaccine. Now, I collaborate with the Laboratory of Data Engineering exploring new approaches to the design of more effective protein-based vaccines and the best way to stimulate a T-cell response.
I also collaborate with the University of Trieste in studying antiviral peptides, in particular addressing arboviruses.
Research Interest
- Arboviruses
- Coronaviruses
- Vaccine development
- Antiviral peptides
- Antiviral response
Experience & Education
- Research Associate at MRC-University of Glasgow Centre For Virus Research (CVR), 2020
- Research Assistant at MRC-University of Glasgow Centre For Virus Research (CVR), 2016
- PhD in Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology at University of Nova Gorica, 2016
- MSc in Functional genomics at University of Trieste, 2011