Research: Assessment of cellular receptors modulation in thyroid papillary carcinomas with different grade of aggressiveness. Study including real time digital pathology, Raman spectroscopy and in situ mRNA hybridization.
Work address: Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
Tutor: Prof. Giuseppe Giannini
Supervisor: Prof.ssa Anna Crescenzi
Previous research experience:
-2024: Contract for the research project PNRR-POC-2022-12376531 entitled: ‘Development of multiparametric approach for new instant Digital Pathology to support fast diagnostic precision and appropriate clinical decision’ funded by the Ministry of Health. At Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Biomedico (Rome, Principal Investigator Prof. Anna Crescenzi).
- 2021-2023: Internship at UOC of Pathological Anatomy and UOS-D of Pathology of Endocrine and Neuromuscular Organs, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Biomedico (Rome, Head Prof. Anna Crescenzi)
- 2020-2020: Internship at the Laboratory of Microbiology, Sapienza University of Rome. (Head Prof. Gianni Prosseda).
Career
- November 2024-present: PhD student in Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. (Tutor Prof. Giuseppe Giannini; Supervisor Prof. Anna Crescenzi).
- 23/11/2023 State certification exam for professional qualification, Sapienza University of Rome
- 14/06/2023 Master's Degree in Medical Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome
Experimental thesis: “Technical innovation in thyroid cytology: application of Raman spectroscopy to fine needle aspiration biopsy and its clinical significance”. (Tutor: Prof. Alessandro Corsi, supervisor Prof.ssa Anna Crescenzi.)
- 30/03/2020 Bachelor's degree in Cellular Biotechnology and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome
Experimental thesis: “Realisation of mutants involved in LPS modification in an E. coli strain and analysis of sensitivity to vancomycin and other antibiotics”. (Tutor: Prof. Gianni Prosseda.)
- 02/07/2016 Human Sciences High School Diploma, James Joyce High School of Human Sciences
Skills
o Pathology laboratory activities: Cell block preparation using Cytomatrix polymer matrix; microtome sectioning; quick freezing and cryostat sectioning; slide preparation; haematoxylin-eosin, Papanicolau and special histochemical staining; immunohistochemical characterisation reactions (manual procedure); Direct/indirect immunofluorescence on paraffin-embedded and frozen tissue; nucleic acid extraction from paraffin-embedded tissue sections; in situ hybridisation to identify and quantify mRNA copies (Rnascope ACDBio); data analysis and image analysis using QuPath software.
o Use the VivaScope2500 ex vivo laser fluorescence confocal microscope on histological and cytological fresh material. I am working on the development and evaluation of new protocols for rapid immuno characterisation in instant digital microscopy (Vivascope technology) using single-parameter and contextual multi-labelling assays.
o Assessment of immunophenotypic consistency in the combination of digital morphology (FCM) and biomarker profiling
o Antibody conjugation with gold nanoparticles
o Expertise in Raman spectroscopy for the study of thyroid neoplasms, using bench-top and portable instruments (In Via Micro-RamanTM spectrometer, VirsaTM Raman Analyser - Renishaw), in collaboration with the Department of Science, University of Roma Tre (Prof. Armida Sodo). Data analysis using Wire and OriginLab software.
o Idylla Biocartis platform for molecular analysis of fresh material and FFPE and interpretation of data
o Creation of LPS mutants in E. coli.
o Techniques used: PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, electroporation transformation, DNA transformation with CaCl2; colony PCR; gene inactivation by Datsenko method using plasmids, antibiogram and E-test.
o Excellent knowledge of Microsoft tools.
o Good knowledge of: programming languages such as Python; molecular graphics programmes such as MarvinSketch, UCSF Chimera, Pymol (Pymod), Molegro, LigandScout.
o Experience in managing data sets and analysis tools.
Conference and congresses
o 7-9 November 2024: Annual Congress of Pathological Anatomy SIAPeC-IAP2024 (Italian Society of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostic Cytopathology. Italian Division of the International Academy of Pathology) with the paper entitled 'Innovation in pancreatic diagnostics using instant digital pathology and automated real-time PCR'.
First prize for the best oral presentation.
o 7-11 September 2024: 36th European Society of Pathology Congress ESP participation with a paper entitled ‘Innovation for fast diagnostics in thyroid nodules. A pilot study combining instant digital pathology and fully automated real-time PCR testing'.
o 11-12 April 2024: participation in the 1st Conference of the Italian Endocrine Pathology Group (GIPE) SIAPeC-IAP (Italian Society of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostic Cytopathology. Italian division of the International Academy of Pathology).
o 19/21 October 2023: Annual Congress of Pathological Anatomy SIAPeC-IAP2023 (Italian Society of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostic Cytopathology. Italian division of the International Academy of Pathology) participation with a paper entitled ‘REAL TIME Immunohistochemistry in Instant Digital Pathology’.
Scientific Award
- First prize for the best oral presentation in Annual Congress of Pathological Anatomy SIAPeC-IAP2024 (Italian Society of Pathological Anatomy and Diagnostic Cytopathology. Italian Division of the International Academy of Pathology) with the paper entitled 'Innovation in pancreatic diagnostics using instant digital pathology and automated real-time PCR'.