Raffaella Nenna

Raffaella Nenna is an Associate Professor at Sapienza University of Rome, working in the Department of Maternal-Infantile and Urological Sciences. She also serves as Medical Director at Policlinico Umberto 1. Her expertise spans pediatric respiratory medicine, with significant contributions to understanding bronchiolitis, asthma, respiratory infections, and celiac disease in children.

Her educational background includes:

• MD with highest honors (110/110 cum Laude) from Sapienza University of Rome (2003)
• Specialization in Pediatrics with highest honors (70/70 cum Laude) from Policlinico Umberto I (2007)
• PhD in Pediatric Sciences from Sapienza University of Rome (2011)
• Master's in Pediatric Pneumology (2015)
• European Diploma in Pediatric Pneumology (2015)

Dr. Nenna's research focuses on pediatric respiratory diseases, particularly examining viral etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches for bronchiolitis and preschool asthma. Her work extends to bronchoalveolar lavage techniques, pertussis, and celiac disease, including screening methods, diagnosis, histological aspects, therapy, and follow-up. She has published extensively on respiratory syncytial virus epidemiology and immune responses.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on post-pandemic respiratory viral circulation patterns, SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in children, and the relationship between viral infections and long-term respiratory outcomes. There's a clear trend toward molecular and immunological investigations of respiratory diseases in pediatric populations, with particular attention to interferon signaling pathways and genetic factors influencing disease severity.

Dr. Nenna has received significant recognition through leadership roles in major scientific societies:

• Elected Councilor of the Italian Society of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases (SIMRI) 2024-2027
• Elected Chair of the Bronchology Group of the Paediatric Assembly of the European Respiratory Society 2023-2026
• Elected Secretary of the Bronchology Group of the Paediatric Assembly of the European Respiratory Society 2020-2023
• Paediatric Exam Committee Member of the European Respiratory Society since 2018

She directs the Master's program in Pediatric Emergencies at Sapienza University and serves as professor for multiple medical and nursing programs including Medicine and Surgery HT, Pediatric Nursing, and General and Specialist Pediatrics. Her research is supported by significant projects including 'Immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infected children' and 'Epidemiological surveillance study on respiratory viruses infections in the era of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic,' with documented impact (167 SCOPUS publications, H-index 31).

Dr. Nenna is actively involved in clinical research through the Department of Maternal-Infantile and Urological Sciences, collaborating with various pediatric research groups focused on respiratory diseases, immunological responses, and long-term outcomes in children. Her work bridges clinical practice, research, and education, making substantial contributions to pediatric respiratory medicine.