Professore di II fascia di Genetica

EDUCATION and CAREER
Since 10/2024 Associate Professor in Genetics, University of Parma, Italy; 2018-2024 Assistant Professor (RTDA
RTDB) in Genetics, University of Parma. 2010-2018 Post-doctoral researcher, University of Parma. 2010 Ph.D. in
Biotechnology, University of Parma; 2005 Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, awarded with honors.
She has also been a visiting researcher at prestigious institutions such as the CNRS in Bordeaux and the MRC
Mitochondrial Biology Unit in Cambridge.
RESEARCH INTEREST
Over the years, she has developed a strong expertise in mitochondrial genetics, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a
model organism to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying human mitochondrial diseases.
Her research has consistently aimed at understanding the pathogenicity of mutations found in patients, and at identifying
compounds capable of rescuing mitochondrial defects. More recently, her interests have expanded to include epigenetics,
with particular attention to DNA methylation for forensic applications and the role of microRNAs in chronic pain and
stress-related conditions.
AWARDS
Her contributions have been recognized with awards such as the AGI prize for best Ph.D. thesis in genetics (2010) and
the Pier Paolo Puglisi Senior Investigation Award in 2023 for her pioneering work on yeast as a model for mitochondrial
diseases.
PROJECTS AS COORDINATOR
She is Principal Investigator of the PRIN-PNRR project “YOMP”, focused on the mitochondrial metallopeptidase
PITRM1, and serves as Unit Coordinator in other PRIN and MUR-funded projects on mitochondrial respiratory chain
assembly defects and biotechnology innovation. She has participated in numerous research projects including those
funded by Telethon, CARIPLO, Italian Ministry of University and Research.
PUBBLICATIONS, BIBLIOMETRIC INDEXES and MEETINGS
She has authored 54 peer-reviewed publications, with an h-index of 21 and over 1,600 citations (Scopus, September
2025). She has participated in numerous national and international scientific meetings, contributing to over forty
conference proceedings, and seven oral communications.