Fields of Interest and Expertise

Trained as a condensed matter physicist, I obtained my Ph.D. with a study on the properties of molecular thin films for molecular electronics applications, by means of electron spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy techniques. Since then, I moved my interest towards the field of nano-biophysics, applying my expertise on scanning probe microscopies and nanolithography to study functionality, structure and interactions of biomolecules and natural nanovesicles in different contexts (from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases, from drug delivery to regenerative medicine).

Teaching

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Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION • October 2005 – May 2009: PhD student in Physics at the University of L’Aquila (Italy) Supervisor: Dr. L.Ottaviano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università dell’Aquila • 2002 – 2005: Master Degree in Physics at the University of L’Aquila (Italy), full marks. Supervisors: Prof. S.Santucci, Dr. L.Ottaviano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università dell’Aquila • 1999-2002: Degree in Physics at the University of L’Aquila (Italy), 106/110 Supervisors: Prof. P.Picozzi, Dr. L.Ottaviano, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università dell’Aquila CURRENT POSITION • July 2020 – ongoing: Independent Researcher, Institute of Materials – Italian National Research Council – Trieste (Italy) PREVIOUS POSITIONS • April 2019 – June 2020: Researcher, Umana S.p.A. c/o Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. – Trieste (Italy) Subject: principal investigator of Interreg Ita-Austria project Exosomes for regenerative, immunosuppressive, neuroprotective, and oncosuppressive therapies (EXOTHERA – ITAT1036) • May 2017 – March 2019: Fixed-term Researcher, Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A - S.S. 14 - km. 163,5 Basovizza 34149 Trieste (Italy) Activity: principal investigator of Interreg Ita-Austria project Exosomes for regenerative, immunosuppressive, neuroprotective, and oncosuppressive therapies (EXOTHERA – ITAT1036) • April 2015 – March 2017: Fixed-term Researcher Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A - S.S. 14 - km. 163,5 Basovizza 34149 Trieste (Italy) Activity: research at NanoInnovation Laboratory • March 2012- March 2015: Young Researcher Fellowship, INSTM – ST Unit – Trieste (Italy) Activity: Nanotechnological approaches towards cancer theragnostics • October 2008 – March 2012: Post-doctoral fellow, Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A. – Trieste (Italy) Subject: Hybrid organic/inorganic interfaces for displays and biochips applications Supervisor: Dr. L. Casalis • June 2008 – August 2008: Visiting Student at National Physical Laboratory (NPL) – London (UK) Subject: Development of Tuning Fork based Low Temperature Magnetic Force Microscope. Supervisors: Prof. A. Tzalenchuk and Dr. O. Kazakova • February 2007 – October 2007: Visiting Student at Kavli Institute of Nanoscience – Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) Subject: Metal/organic interfaces: contact resistance in organic single crystal transistors. Supervisor: Prof. A.F. Morpurgo PROJECTS FUNDED AND APPROVED LARGE SCALE FACILITY PROPOSALS* • 22/07/2019 Financed project from the ARRS (Slovenian Agency for Research) for a two year (1.1.2020-31.12.2021) project based on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie proposal Extracellular vesicles/cells interaction: mind the spatial and time resolution gap. A biophysical challenge EXCHANGE 838930 – Total initiative’s funds 153816 Euro – (not used) • 01/02/2017- 01/08/2019 Exosomes for regenerative, immunosuppressive, neuroprotective, and oncosuppressive therapies ITAT1036 EXOTHERA project (Interreg Italia-Austria VA) – Principal investigator Duration 30 months - Total initiative’s funds 823264 Euro - Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste Unit 330850,17 Euro • 31/12/2011 – 30/05/2014 AIRC 5 per mille “Application of Advanced Nanotechnology in the Development of Innovative Cancer Diagnostics Tools” – Collaborator • 15/03/2012 – 14/03/2015 FIRB accordi di programma 2011 – “Nanotechnological approaches towards cancer theragnostics” – Collaborator

Awards

• 2007 Winner of a P.O.R. FSE Abruzzo 2000-2006 Alta formazione bursary for a 6 months research project in a foreign institution (Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft, Netherlands)

• 2008 Winner of a P.O.R. FSE Abruzzo 2000-2006 Alta formazione bursary for a 3 months research project in a foreign institution (National Physical Laboratory, London, UK)

• 19/03/2019 - Seal of excellence for the proposal Extracellular vesicles-cells interaction: mind the spatial and time resolution gap. A biophysical challenge EXCHANGE 838930 - Marie Skłodowska- Curie actions call H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 – Proponent

Unit

• Brescia

Publications