BIO
I got my PhD in Immunology at the Dept of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin with the mentorship of Prof. Guido Forni and Mirella Giovarelli. It was the beginning of the love for tumor immunology, therefore, I continued my post-doc in Giovarelli lab first and Novelli lab after, to acquire experience on immunotherapy and spontaneous mouse models of tumors. That was important for the setting of autochthonous mouse model of pancreatic cancer we are now using for our research. In 2010 I moved in the Prof. T.W. Mak lab at the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research (CFIBCR), University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto (Canada), where I was offered to work on a drug discovery project. Excited to learn new techniques and acquire new skills, I immediately accepted. In 2012, back to Italy, I have got a permanent position at the University of Turin and started to build my own group at the Dept. of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences.
RESEARCH
Since many years I’m focused on the study of pancreatic cancer and in particular the complex relationship among tumor cells and stromal and immune cells in an attempt to define novel targets exploitable for immunotherapy combinations. We are particularly interested in investigating the role of myeloid cells and fibroblasts in the tumor context and especially how they both affect the specific anti-tumoral response. In this light we have developed different pre-clinical models in which design novel therapeutic strategies and acquired expertise in the ex vivo analysis of antigen-specific T and B cell responses. We have already proved the efficacy of a DNA vaccine in delaying the progression of pancreatic cancer and we are aiming to improve its effects through the combination of more strategies.
HOBBIES / EXTRAS
I really like DIY and gardening activities: my dream is to learn to work and restore wood, but also seeing flowers and vegetables grow gives me satisfaction. I like everything related to interior design and admire all the products from real designers and architects. I like good food and cooking when I am relaxed, and I love traveling with my family.