WORK EXPERIENCE
2024 – Coordinator of the Pharmacy Degree Course, Link Campus University, Rome
2024 - Associate Professor SC 06/A2, SSD MEDS-02/A, Department of Life, Health and Health Professions Sciences, Link Campus University, Rome
2024 - Professor of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Master Degrees in Medicine and Pharmacy, Link Campus University, Rome
2023 – 2024 RTD Researcher SC 06/A2, SSD MEDS-02/A, Department of Life, Health and Health Professions Sciences, Link Campus University, Rome
2021 – 2023 RTD-A Researcher SC 06/A2, SSD MEDS-02/A, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome (L.240/2010)
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
2020 Specialty in Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome
2020 Medical License
2019 Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome
2010 PhD Degree in Biotechnology of reproduction, University of Teramo
2007-2010 PhD Fellowship, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo
2006 Pharmacist License
2006 Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (110/110 cum laude), University of Calabria (UNICAL)
WORK ACTIVITIES
RESEARCH FIELDS
1. Analysis of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in cells differentiation and diseases
2. Identification of molecular targets and biomarkers in cancer and metabolic diseases
3. Development of preclinical models: isolation and cryopreservation of mouse and human primary and stem cells; organotypic tissue slices, 3D models and organoids.
4. Analysis of the endocannabinoid system activity in different cellular and tissutal contexts.
5. Characterization of the non-coding RNA, including microRNAs, involved in the deregulation of signaling pathway sustaining tumors and endocrine metabolic diseases.
6. Testing of innovative nano delivery systems (i.e., lipid nanoparticles)
AWARDS
2023: Winner of the Short-Term Fellowship AIRC. Project Title: “Unraveling the complexity of brain cancers by establishing relevant and reliable preclinical models” c/o the 3D Brain Models laboratory for Neurodegenerative diseases, University Clinic, Freiburg (Germany)
2022: Winner of the best oral presentation at the XVII Ortomed Congress (Firenze, Italy)
2022: Winner of the Ricerche Oncologiche di Base fellowship (Fondazione Lilli, Cosenza, Italy)
2021: Winner of the Programma Regionale FSE - 2021/2027 - Più forza ai ricercatori del Lazio
2021: Special Mention for the best video for EXPO 2020 Dubai for the call “Beyond borders: La conoscenza unisce le persone” (Fondazione Bracco, Milan, Italy)
2018: Winner of the Ricerche Oncologiche di Base fellowship (Fondazione Lilli, Cosenza, Italy)
2010: Winner of the 1st Edition of the Cav. Lav. “Fulvio Bracco” Award (Fondazione Bracco, Milan, Italy)
2010: Winner of a post-doctoral fellowship “The endocannabinoid Anandamide as a biomarker of outcome in pregnancies complicated by threatened miscarriage” (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Teramo University, Teramo, Italy, 2010)
2010: Winner of a travel fellowship for participation to the 20th ICRS Congress (Lund, Sweden, 2010)
2008: Winner of a travel fellowship for participation to the congress “Molecular mechanisms in neuroscience” (Milan, Italy, 2008)
2003: Winner of the Erasmus Project carried out in the “René DesCartes” University (Paris V),
Paris, France (Calabria University, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy)
2002: Winner of the Canada Project carried out in the University of Waterloo”, Waterloo, Ontario (Calabria University (UNICAL), Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy)
COLLABORATIONS
Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy, Dr. Angela Mastronuzzi
Pediatric Neurosurgery, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Catholic University Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, Dr. Luca Massimi
Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Catholic University Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, Dr. Marco Gessi
Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy, Prof. Alberto Boffi
Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Italy, Prof. Francesca Iemma
Italian National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy, Dr. Federica Conte
Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, Dr. Stefan Pfister
Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany, Dr. Till Milde
Laboratoire d'anatomie pathologique-neuropathologique, CHU de Marseille - Hôpital de la Timone 264 rue Saint-Pierre, Prof. Dominique Figarella-Branger
Translational NeuroOncology Research Group, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, Prof. Henrik Heiland
Dr. Vidhya Madapusi Ravi, 3D-Brain Models for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, Dep. Of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences; Computer, Control and Management Engineering; Informatics; Molecular Medicine; Translational and Precision Medicine
Centre hospitalier Sainte-Anne Paris, Prof. Pascale Varlet
EDITORIAL ACTIVITY
2023: Member of the Editorial Board of BMC Cancer
2022: Editor of Special Issue of Biomedicines Journal - “Non-coding RNAs in Health and Disease 2.0”
2022: Editor of Special Issue of Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences – “Nanotechnology combined with gene therapy: An endless opportunity in biomedical research”
2020: Editor of Special Issue of Biomedicines Journal – “Non-coding RNAs in Health and Disease”
2018: Editor of Special Issue of International Journal of Cell Science and Mol. Biol. (IJCSMB)
2015 Reviewer for the following journals: Cancer Research, Neuro-Oncology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Scientific Reports, Molecular Cancer, Tumor Biology, Molecular BioSystems, BMC Cancer, Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry, Cell Biology International, Nanomedicine, Cancers, Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research.
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
“CD133 proteolytic processing following brefeldin treatment in medulloblastoma cancer stem cells”, XVII ItPA, HPS and SEPA International Congress, Rome, Nov 29-Dec 1, 2023
“Network Analysis integrating microRNAs and clinical data to determine prognostic outcome in pediatric low-grade glioma patients”, Vis à vis in the Brain: The Neuron-Glia interface, Freiburg, Sep 13-15, 2023
“L’esposizione acuta all’interferente endocrino Bisfenolo A (BPA) altera l’omeostasi delle cellule endoteliali umane”, XVII Congresso ORTOMED, Firenze, Dec 15-17, 2022
“Profiling and analysis of the role of microRNAs in pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs)”, Future Brain - I tumori cerebrali pediatrici: Dubbi e Prospettive, Roma, 31 Marzo – 1 Aprile, 2017
“Endocannabinoids: New biologically relevant lipid mediators”, Centro Ricerche Bracco, R&D Winter meeting, Colleretto Giacosa (TO), Dec. 17, 2010.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
“Genomica e Trascrittomica: Quali spazi nell’alimentazione?” (SISA, Roma, Oct. 3-4, 2024)
“Evaluation of microRNAs as prognostic biomarkers in partial resected supratentorial pLGGs”, SIOP-LGG Pre-clinical working group, Landenburg, Jan 14-15, 2020
“MicroRNAs associated to pLGGs Progression”, SIOP-LGG Pre-clinical working group, Budapest, April 4, 2019.
“Distinctive microRNA patterns associated with disease status in pLGGs”, SIOP-LGG Pre-clinical working group, Cagliari, Sep. 13-14, 2018.
“Mir-139-5p is a regulator of cell growth pathways in pediatric low-grade gliomas”, 22nd World Congress on Advances in Oncology & 20th International Symposium on Molecular Medicine, October 5-7, 2017 (Metropolitan Hotel, Athens, Greece)
“MiR-139-5p and PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 signaling in supratentorial pLGGs”, SIOP-LGG Pre-clinical working group, Genova, Sep. 14-15, 2017.
“MiR-139-5p/Notch network controls pLGG proliferation”, SIOP-LGG Pre-clinical working group, Paris, Sep. 15-16, 2016.
“Expression pattern of microRNAs in pLGG”, SIOP-LGG Pre-clinical working group, Rome, Sep. 17-18, 2015.
INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
2024–present Member of the SIPMeT
2014 – Present: Member of the European SIOP-LGG preclinical working group (preclinical working group on low grade glioma, LGG, of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology, SIOP)
2010 Member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society
GRANTS
2021: Call “SEED-PNR”, Sapienza University: “Profiling of circulating microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of pediatric low-grade gliomas patients”, Duration: 3 years, Euro 10.000,00, Principal Investigator: Catanzaro Giuseppina
2018: Ricerca Finalizzata, Ministry of Health (Proposal code: GR-2018-12367328): “Role of unfolded protein response in medulloblastoma cancer stem cells manteinance: therapeutic implications and prognostic value”; Duration 3 years, Euro 89.980,00, Research Unit responsible: Catanzaro Giuseppina
2017: Avvio alla Ricerca, Sapienza University: “MicroRNAs in pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs): new opportunities in disease management”, Duration: 1 year, Euro 2.000,00, Principal Investigator: Catanzaro Giuseppina
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Member of the Community Diventerò, Fondazione Bracco, Milan, Italy
Scientific Production and Bibliometric Indicators
Publications: 59
Total number of manuscripts as a first author: 20
Total number of manuscripts as last or corresponding author: 6
Hirsch-Index (H-index): 26 (Scopus)
Total Impact Factor: 298.694
Total Citations: 1909 (Scopus)
Complete list of publications can be found at: SCOPUS AUTHOR ID: 26633584100; https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=26633584100;
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-8427-9691; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8427-9691