Experience

CNR - IFN

• Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Researcher

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  I am currently working with a permanent position at the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnology (IFN) of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), based at Politecnico di Milano (Physics department). In this context I am unit leader and/or WPs and tasks leader in three European projects ( “CRIMSON” (H2020 ICT-36) , “TROPHY” (Horizon EIC Pathfinder) and “CHARM” (Horizon EIC Transition)), started between 2020 and 2022, focused on the use of vibrational imaging approaches for diagnostic and biomedical applications. Since 2023 I am the co-PI of the project “OPTIMA” funded by the Italian ministry of university and research (PRIN call 2022) I am member of “Raman4Clinics” and of the International Society for Clinical Spectroscopy (CLIRSPEC). I co-founded and supervised the development of "RamApp", a web-based free tool for the analysis of hyperspectral images. Show less



ICS Maugeri SpA Società Benefit

• Italy
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Researcher

  • Nov 2017 - Jan 2020

  In this period I contributed to start the Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging Lab of IRCCS ICS Maugeri Scientific Research Hospital. I worked as co-coordinator of the EU project "ABISens" focused on the development of a ultrasensitive nanobiosesnor for the label-free detection of circulating biomarkers of brain injury and neuronal recovery that are normally difficult to detect in blood. In parallel, I optimized Raman Imaging approaches for the deep characterization of breast cancer microcalcifications by studying clinical relevant patient cohorts from our breast unit. Show less



Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS

• Italy
• Research Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Researcher and Principal Investigator (last 2 years)

  • Jan 2012 - Oct 2017

  Biotechnologist in the Laboratory of Nanomedicine and Clinical Biophotonics (www.LABION.eu) of Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS. During the last two years at FDG I have coordinated the EU-FP7 Euronanomed "NanoPlasmiRNA" project focused on the development of a nanotechnology-enhanced surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi)-based method of facilitating more effective analysis of miRNA biomarkers, and demonstrate its use in multiple sclerosis. In general I have been working at the development of SPRi, Raman and nanotechnology based methods to improve the diagnosis and the monitoring of diseases. Show less



University of Twente

• Netherlands
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher

  • Nov 2012 - Apr 2013

  At University of Twente I collaborated with Dr. Cees Otto at Medical Cell Biophysics (MCBP) group, directed by LW Terstappen. During this collaboration I used confocal Raman spectrometry for cellular imaging of cancer cells. At University of Twente I collaborated with Dr. Cees Otto at Medical Cell Biophysics (MCBP) group, directed by LW Terstappen. During this collaboration I used confocal Raman spectrometry for cellular imaging of cancer cells.



Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

• Italy
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Phd Student

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2011

  Doctoral Program in Molecular Medicine at University of Milan. I worked at CNR-ITB in the Aging and Neurodegeneration Unit directed by Dr. Luigi Zecca. The Phd thesis was supervised by Prof. Cecilia Gelfi. My research was focused mainly on brain ageing and neurodegeneration, in particular investigating the accumulation of the Neuromelanin pigment in the Human brain. I characterized a particular lyosome-related neuromelain-containing organelle (NM Organelle) of autophagic origin. I worked in order to obtain the proteomic profile of NM organelles isolated from Human post-mortem brain tissues, using 2D-LC/MS (Orbitrap) technologies in collaboration with Dr. Luigi Mauri of CNR-ITB. In addition, I contributed in the structural and chemical characterization of the isolated pigment of Neuromelanin (NM). I was especially interested in studying autophagic/storage mechanisms able to protect neurons from potentially toxic substances that accumulate during the entire life span. Show less