šEducation:
Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland Duration: Dec 2017 – Feb 2024 Marie SkÅodowska-Curie Programme in Genetics and Mechanisms in Translational Medicine (GENOMMED) Advisor: Prof. Tarja Malm Dissertation: “Unlocking the potential of non-coding RNAs in regulating neurodegeneration – a glimpse into Alzheimerās disease and ischemic stroke pathophysiology.” Ph.D. secondment Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Duration: Sept 2018 – Feb 201 Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Thomas B. Hansen Funded by Saastamoinen Foundation travel grant FELASA accreditationUniversity of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland May 2017 Federation of Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) Certificate in laboratory animal science for EU Functions A/D MSc in Molecular Biology “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Duration: Oct 2013 – Dec 2015 Master Degree in Molecular Biology Graduated magna cum laude (110/110 cum laude) Advisor: Prof. Alessandro Fatica Thesis title: “Identification of new transcriptional targets of p30 C/EBPĪ± transcription factor isoform in acute myeloid leukemia” MSc in Genetics University Paris-Diderot VII, Paris, France Duration: Oct 2013 – June 2015 BSc in Biotechnology “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Duration: Oct 2010 – July 2013 Bachelor degree in Biotechnology Graduated magna cum laude (110/110 cum laude) Advisor: Prof. Carlo Presutti Thesis title: “The role of the mir-200 family in the regulation of the expression of AP1 transcriptional factor”
š¬Research Experience:
Early stage researcher Professor Tarja Malm University of Eastern Finland, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences Jan 2017 ā Dec 2017 Investigated the role of microRNAs in phagocytic microglia isolated from adult Alzheimerās mice. Developed techniques including ex-vivo FACS, low input RNA extraction, cloning, qPCR, and protocol for transfection for hard-to-transfect cell lines. Conducted animal procedures to harvest brain samples or acutely isolate adult microglia. Erasmus traineeship Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark Oct 2016 – June 2016 Developed a transgenic stable cell line for long non-coding RNAs. Applied techniques such as cloning of long inserts, lentiviral vector production, and stable cell line development. Master thesis Professor Alessandro Fatica “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy June 2014 – Dec 2015 Investigated the regulation of the long non-coding RNA UCA1 mediated by C/EBPĪ± transcription factor in the K562 lymphoblast cell line. Applied techniques including ChIP, cloning, RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, WB, transfection, CRISPR-Cas9, and stable cell line development. Master Internship Professor Giuseppe Macino “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Sept 2013 – March 2014 Studied microRNAs inducing epigenetic modifications in mammals.Applied techniques such as ChIP, cloning, mutagenesis, RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, WB, CRISPR-Cas9, and stable cell line development. Bachelor thesis Professor Carlo Presutti “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy Oct 2012 – July 2013 Investigated the role of the miR-200a family in regulating c-JUN transcription factor expression. Utilized techniques including cloning, mutagenesis, bacterial transformation, and cell line culture.
š» Technical Skills:
Molecular biology techniques such as scRNA-seq, RNA-seq, FACS, cloning, RT-qPCR, WB, lentiviral vectors generation. Cell culture techniques including neuronal culture, primary microglial culture, transduction, transfection, and stable cell line development. Animal work including FELASA A/D certification, maintenance, and breeding of transgenic mouse models, animal procedures, and tamoxifen-induced recombination. Statistical analysis, basic Python, and R.
šFellowships, Awards, and Honors:
- Secured total grants of 99.000ā¬ during Ph.D., including grants from Pavo Nuermen Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Kuopio University Foundation, and others.
š©āš« Teaching Experience:
- Mentored a Ph.D. student and post-graduate student, and supervised five master’s thesis students during the Ph.D. program.