BIO
Dr. Lovisa completed her master’s degree in medical biotechnology from the University of Padova in 2008 and obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Science and Technology from the University of Udine in 2012, while working in Dr. Gustavo Baldassarre’s laboratory at CRO National Cancer Institute (Aviano, PN). In 2013 she joined Dr. Raghu Kalluri’s laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas) for her post-doctoral training. In 2020 she returned to Italy thanks to the support of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation and in 2021 she was awarded a start-up grant from the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC) to set up her own laboratory and pursue her independent research interests at Humanitas University and Humanitas Research Hospital.
RESEARCH
My research aims to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the interaction between chronic inflammation, tissue fibrosis and cancer development.
During my post-doctoral training I gained an increased appreciation for the intimate relationship between fibrosis and cancer. Fibrosis consists in a pathological wound healing response characterized by persistent inflammation and exaggerated deposition of extracellular matrix, which eventually lead to organ failure. The fibrogenic response shares a lot of commonalities with components of the tumor microenvironment, and, at the same time, fibrosis is an intrinsic host-response to cancer growth and spread in certain types of cancers and can frequently arise as a side effect of chemo– and radio– therapies.
My studies have been specifically focused on investigating the functional role of epithelial and endothelial plasticity, namely epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), in driving the cascade of events leading to persistent inflammation and chronic tissue damage. The purpose of my future research as independent investigator is to understand if these processes could drive tumorigenesis in those cancer characterized by chronic inflammation such as colitis–associated colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer.
HOBBIES / EXTRAS
Traveling is my favorite hobby. I think it is a priceless opportunity to expand my mental horizon, visit new places and get to know different cultures, traditions, living styles and food habits.