Education
Ph.D., Genetics and Molecular Biology March 2001
University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Center for Evolutionary Genetics
Dissertation title: Cellular mechanisms of aneuploidy induction in mammalian cells:
role of mitotic spindle and mitotic checkpoint.
Advisor: Dr. Francesca Degrassi
Specialty degree (Highest honors), Applied Genetics October 1997
University of Rome “La Sapienza”
Thesis title: Study of chromosome malsegregation mechanisms by means of in situ
hybridization on anaphases and binucleate cells.
Advisors: Prof. Caterina Tanzarella and Dr. Francesca Degrassi
Degree (Laurea, Highest honors) in Biology November 1993
University of Rome “La Sapienza”
Thesis title: Use of CREST staining and in situ hybridization for the analysis of
micronuclei induced by 5-azacytidine in human fibroblast cultures.
Advisors: Prof. Caterina Tanzarella and Dr. Francesca Degrassi
Positions
Virginia Tech, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Professor, Jul 2017 – Present
Virginia Tech, Biocomplexity Institute – Fralin Life Sciences Institute
Biology Fellow, Nov 2013 – Present
Virginia Tech, Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences, Nov 2013 – Present
University Roma Tre (Rome, Italy)
Visiting Faculty, Jun 3-22, 2013
Virginia Tech, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Associate Professor, Jul 2012 – Jun 2017
Virginia Tech, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Assistant Professor, Dec 2005 – Jun 2012
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Biology
Postdoctoral Fellow (Advisor Dr. E.D. Salmon), May 2002 – Dec 2005
Visiting Researcher, Jan 2000 – Apr 2001
Center for Evolutionary Genetics (Italian National Research Council), Rome, Italy
Research Fellow, Italian Federation for Cancer Research (FIRC), Jan – Dec 2001
Center for Evolutionary Genetics (Italian National Research Council), Rome, Italy
Graduate Research Assistant, Nov 1997 – Oct 2000
Center for Evolutionary Genetics (Italian National Research Council), Rome, Italy
Research Associate, Jul 1997 – Apr 1998
Cimini, Daniela
2
Institute for Research in Molecular Biology (IRBM), Pomezia, Italy
Research Fellow, Dec 1996 – Jul 1997
Center for Evolutionary Genetics (Italian National Research Council), Rome, Italy
Research Fellow, Dec 1994 – Nov 1996
Center for Evolutionary Genetics (C.N.R.) / Italian Superior Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
Collaborator/Consultant, Jan 1995 – Dec 1996
University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Dept. of Genetics and Mol. Biol., Rome, Italy
Trainee, Jan 1992 – Dec 1994
Honors and Awards
Virginia Tech Scholar of the Week, October 17-21, 2016
Recognized through the Virginia Tech National Distinction Program, 2016
Department of Biological Sciences Outstanding Research Award, 2016
The Triangle Cytoskeleton Meeting Keynote Speaker, 2014
Department of Biological Sciences Outstanding Research Award, 2010
Biography included in “Who’s Who in Science and Engineering,” 2008
Cell Dance Festival Award, American Society for Cell Biology, 2005
Honorable Mention, Olympus BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition, 2005
Postdoctoral Award for Research Excellence, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003
Young Scientist Award, European Environmental Mutagen Society, 2001
Graduate Student Full Scholarship, Univ. of Rome “La Sapienza,” Nov 1997 – Oct 2000
Best Poster Award, European Environmental Mutagen Society, 1996
Three-year Full Scholarship for top three Specialty School of Applied Genetics applicants, Nov 1994
Declined due to incompatibility with previously awarded fellowship
Memberships
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), since 2018
American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology (ASCCT), 2016 – 2018
International Chromosome and Genome Society (ICGS), 2009 – 2010
Sigma Xi, since 2006
American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB), since 2000
Italian Society of Environmental Mutagenesis (SIMA), 1994 – 1999
Italian Genetics Association (AGI), 1993 - 1999
Publications
(Google Scholar: h-index, 37; i10-index, 50; total citations, 6,228).