Livio Trusolino is a Professor in the Department of Oncology at the University of Turin, affiliated with the Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCCS) in Candiolo. His research focuses on mechanisms of neoplastic transformation, growth factor receptor signaling, and preclinical models of targeted therapies, particularly in colorectal cancer. He leads courses such as 'Targeted Therapies in Colon Cancer' and contributes to the MD-PhD Program in Medicine. His work integrates molecular profiling (proteomics, genomics) with experimental models like patient-derived xenografts to study drug sensitivity and resistance. Key collaborations include projects on KRAS mutations, EGFR blockade, and drug combination therapies. He chairs academic bodies within the Department of Oncology and oversees the Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory. Recent research highlights include identifying biomarkers for therapeutic response and elucidating adaptive mutability in cancers. His contributions bridge basic science and clinical applications, advancing precision oncology strategies for colorectal cancer.
Damiano Piovesan is Associate Professor in Bioinformatics (SSD BIO/10) at the Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Padua , Italy. Since March 2022 he has held this rank, having previously served as Assistant Professor (2022) and PostDoc researcher (2019) in the same department. Education 2013 – PhD in Biotechnology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bologna 2009 – MSc in Bioinformatics, University of Bologna 2007 – BSc in Biotechnology, University of Bologna Research Focus Piovesan’s research integrates machine-learning approaches with structural bioinformatics to advance understanding of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and protein function prediction . He develops widely used resources such as MobiDB for disorder annotation, DisProt for functional curation of disordered regions, and RING for residue interaction networks. Additional interests include tandem repeat proteins , cancer-related IDP targets , and community benchmarking initiatives (CAFA, CAID, CAGI). Publication Trends His 2024–2025 output is dominated by updates to flagship databases ( InterPro , DisProt , MobiDB ), next-generation disorder predictors leveraging deep learning ( PredIDR , MobiDB-lite 4.0 ), and large-scale genomics challenges ( CAGI6 ). Across the decade, recurring themes include methodological advances in disorder prediction, creation of interoperable bioinformatics platforms, and rigorous benchmarking to ensure community-wide reliability. Scientific Awards No specific awards are listed in the provided materials. Advising & Grants No individual students or grant details are explicitly supplied; however, his leadership in multi-institutional consortia (e.g., InterPro, DisProt, CAFA) implies substantial supervisory and funding coordination roles. Labs & Teams Piovesan is affiliated with the BioComputingUP Lab ( https://biocomputingup.it/ ) at the University of Padua, a hub for computational biology and bioinformatics tool development.
Luisa Mannina is a Full Professor of Food Chemistry at Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Chemistry and Technology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine. She leads the Food Chemistry Laboratory (FOODCHEMLAB) and serves as Director of the Metabolomics Unit focusing on Foods, Nutraceuticals and Biological Fluids Research. Her academic career spans over 25 years with progressive appointments from Assistant Professor to her current Full Professor position since January 2019. Full Professor of Food Chemistry (2019-present) Associate Professor of Food Chemistry (2009-2019) Director of multiple Master's programs in Nutraceuticals and Cosmeceutics Coordinator of PhD program in Molecular design and characterization for health promotion Member of numerous institutional committees at Sapienza University Professor Mannina's research centers on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) methodologies for food analysis and metabolomics. She has developed innovative analytical protocols for determining metabolic profiles of food matrices and biological fluids, enabling authentication of geographical origin, variety, and cultivation methods for diverse food products. Her work spans olive oils, fruits, industrial hemp, and various agricultural products, with particular emphasis on NMR-based metabolomics for food authentication and quality assessment. She has established herself as a leading expert in industrial hemp analysis, publishing extensively on cannabis inflorescences, seed oils, and related products. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on sustainable food systems, with particular attention to agri-food waste valorization, novel food development from unconventional sources like medicinal mushrooms, and advanced analytical techniques for food authentication. Her work increasingly integrates NMR with other analytical methods to address complex food science challenges, including food fraud detection, nutritional enhancement through processing techniques, and chemopreventive properties of plant-based products. The research demonstrates consistent evolution from fundamental food characterization toward applied solutions addressing contemporary food system challenges. Her scientific recognition includes: GIDRM/GIRM 2018 Gold Medal ANVUR Research Funding (2017) Associate Editor of Journal of Integrated Omics Member of Scientific Committee of La Rivista Italiana delle Sostanze Grasse Professor Mannina has successfully supervised numerous PhD students and directed multiple Master's programs. Her research is supported by substantial funding from regional, national, and European sources, including projects on industrial hemp valorization (€150,000), innovative bio-packaging (€50,000), and metabolomic studies of Mediterranean diet adherence (€14,500). She maintains active collaborations with European research institutions and industry partners through various research contracts. Her Food Chemistry Laboratory (FOODCHEMLAB) is equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation including NMR, HPLC-PDA, GC-MS, and other advanced equipment for comprehensive food analysis. The laboratory serves as a hub for metabolomic research, food authentication studies, and valorization of agricultural by-products, contributing significantly to Sapienza University's research profile in food science and technology.
Andrea Sottoriva is the Head of the Computational Biology Research Centre at Human Technopole , Milan, Italy, and holds the title of Professor of Cancer Genomics and Evolution . His work bridges computational biology, evolutionary theory, and clinical oncology to predict cancer progression and design adaptive treatment strategies. University of Bologna – BSc in Computer Science (2006) University of Amsterdam – MSc in Computational Sciences (2008) University of Cambridge – PhD in Computational Biology (2012) Dr. Sottoriva's research focuses on cancer evolution , applying machine learning and population genetics to decode tumor heterogeneity through multi-omics data. His lab integrates patient-derived organoids and spatial genomics to understand how genetic and epigenetic factors drive cancer progression. The 15 most recent publications demonstrate a consistent emphasis on subclonal dynamics (7/15), computational methods (6/15), and evolutionary modeling (5/15). Key themes include adaptive mutability in colorectal cancer , immune editing in post-transplantation relapses, and deep learning applications for tumor heterogeneity. Scientific recognition includes: Cancer Research UK Future Leaders in Cancer Research Prize (2016) His lab currently trains PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in computational oncology, maintaining a living biobank of patient-derived models while pioneering AI-mechanistic hybrid models for clinical translation.
Dr. Kathleen Curtius is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), affiliated with the Division of Biomedical Informatics and the UCSD Moores Cancer Center. She leads the Quantitative Cancer Control laboratory, focusing on early cancer detection and prevention through mathematical modeling and multi-scale data analysis. Previously, she held a Medical Research Council Rutherford Fellowship at Barts Cancer Institute (London) and completed postdoctoral training in Prof. Trevor Graham's lab. Her research integrates applied mathematics, computational biology, and clinical oncology to address cancer evolution and screening strategies. Education: PhD in Applied Mathematics, University of Washington (2015) MS in Applied Mathematics, University of Washington (2011) BS in Mathematics, UCLA (2010) Research Interests: Mathematical oncology Cancer evolution modeling Epigenetic drift analysis Screening optimization Multiscale tumor dynamics Her work bridges disciplines to develop predictive tools for early cancer detection and personalized surveillance strategies. Publications: Recent work includes studies on metagenomic data bias (Nature Communications 2025), AI-driven cancer biomarker discovery (JCI Insight 2022), and computational models of Barrett's esophagus progression (Gut 2020). Her research emphasizes translational applications in clinical oncology and public health. Awards: Recognized with the 2024 Leah Edelstein-Keshet Prize, 2022 AGA Research Scholar Award, and 2018 MRC Rutherford Fellowship. Her work has been cited over 1,000 times across key oncology journals. Funding: Principal Investigator on NIH grants (R01CA270235, I01BX005958) supporting projects on Barrett's esophagus modeling and colitis-associated colorectal cancer surveillance optimization. Collaborates with clinicians, geneticists, and computational biologists to advance cancer control efforts. Labs/Teams: Leads the Quantitative Cancer Control Lab at UCSD, part of the Bioinformatics and Systems Biology division. Active in interdisciplinary initiatives like the Moores Cancer Center's Cancer Control Program.
Professor Ellie (Eleanor) Barnes is a leading academic in hepatology and experimental medicine at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Nuffield Department of Medicine, the Translational Gastroenterology Unit, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Jenner Institute, and the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre. She leads a multidisciplinary research group focused on applied immunology in liver disease, including cancer and viral hepatitis. Her research spans vaccine development for hepatitis C and B, early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease, and stratified medicine approaches in chronic liver conditions. She leads major national and international consortia such as STOP-HCV and DeLIVER, integrating viral sequencing, host genetics, immune profiling, and biomarker discovery. The recent publications highlight a strong focus on HCV persistence post-treatment, metabolic liver disease in HBV, and innovative clinical trials for HCV elimination. Her work emphasizes translational impact, combining cutting-edge genomics, immunology, and clinical experimental medicine. Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP) Prof. Barnes oversees a portfolio of clinical studies as NIHR CLRN lead for hepatology in the Thames Valley and collaborates with industry partners like Vaccitech. Her team also develops non-invasive liver imaging and novel blood-based DNA detection methods (e.g., TAPS) for early cancer diagnosis. She mentors a research group and contributes to science communication and gender equity in STEM.
Nicola Clementi serves as an Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology and Virology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, Italy, with active clinical and research affiliation at San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS). His academic credentials include Board Certification in Medical Microbiology and Virology (2010) from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and a Master's degree in Biological Sciences (2006) from Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona. His educational background features: Master of Biological Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy (2006) Board Certification in Medical Microbiology and Virology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy (2010) Clementi's research centers on clinical virology and medical microbiology with emphasis on bacterial and viral pathogen dynamics. His work spans sexually transmitted infections (LGV, gonorrhea), emerging viral outbreaks (mpox, SARS-CoV-2), neonatal viral hepatitis , and microbiome-immune interactions in immunotherapy. He employs epidemiological surveillance, mutational profiling, and clinical cohort analysis to address antimicrobial resistance trends and therapeutic efficacy challenges within Italian healthcare settings. His 2024 publications reveal a focus on urgent public health threats through high-impact clinical studies. Key trends include optimizing antibiotic regimens for STIs, investigating immunological mechanisms in viral hepatitis, analyzing SARS-CoV-2 mutational responses to ribavirin therapy, and exploring microbiome modulation to reduce immunotherapy toxicity. The work heavily leverages Italian patient cohorts (Lombardy region) and demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches bridging virology, bacteriology, and immunology. No scientific awards are documented in the provided source material. While formal student lists and grant details are absent from the scraped data, his editorial roles and publication volume suggest active academic mentoring. Clementi serves as Review Editor for Virology at Frontiers in Microbiology and Guest Associate Editor for Experimental Pharmacology at Frontiers in Pharmacology, indicating leadership in scholarly peer review despite no explicit grant mentions. He operates within San Raffaele Scientific Institute (IRCCS) research ecosystem, evidenced by co-authorship with clinicians and microbiologists from this tertiary hospital. His network includes collaborators like Gabriel Siracusano (IRCCS) and Mauro Pistello (University of Pisa), with 46 active professional connections reflecting engagement in Italy's infectious disease community.
Francesco Carfi' Pavia is a Researcher (ICHI-01/B) at the Polytechnic School of the University of Palermo . His work focuses on biomedical engineering, polymer science, and tissue engineering, particularly scaffold fabrication for 3D cell culture systems. Research Interests : His research spans scaffold design for bone and tissue regeneration, computational modeling of bioreactors, and microbial bioremediation studies. He explores advanced fabrication techniques like thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) and galvanic deposition for biomedical applications. Publications Trends : His recent articles emphasize 3D scaffold development for cancer models, orthopedic implants, and microbial adaptation to toxicants, with applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and biodegradable materials. Contact : Email: francesco.carfipavia@unipa.it Office hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:00 PM–6:00 PM, Building 6, Third Floor.
Laura Fabris is a Full Professor in the Department of Applied Science and Technology at the Polytechnic University of Turin. She serves as a member of the Interdepartmental Center PolitoBIOMed Lab - Biomedical Engineering Lab and leads research activities in the ERC Instrumental Chemical Analysis Laboratory. Her academic career spans cutting-edge research at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biomedical engineering. Professor Fabris's research expertise focuses on plasmonic nanomaterials and their applications in advanced diagnostics. Her work centers on developing innovative biosensors using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) with specialized metal nanoparticles. She investigates how light-matter interactions at the nanoscale can be harnessed for ultrasensitive detection of biological molecules, with particular emphasis on viral RNA detection and cancer biomarker identification. Her interdisciplinary approach combines principles from experimental physics, colloidal chemistry, and biomedical engineering to create next-generation diagnostic tools. Her publication record demonstrates significant contributions to the field of plasmonics and nanosensing, with influential review articles and original research on gold nanostar substrates, SERS mechanisms, and nanoparticle synthesis. Her work spans fundamental studies of plasmonic phenomena to applied research in medical diagnostics, establishing her as a leading expert in the field. STELLAR - SERS-based Technology for EarLy Liquid biopsy Analysis and Recognition (2025-2026) PHROGS - Hot Spot-Mediated Plasmonic Modulation of Viral RNA Polymerase Activity (2022-2027) ANFIBIO - ERC-2019-COG (2021-2026) NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY (2023-2035) Professor Fabris actively mentors six PhD students working on diverse projects related to plasmonic nanoparticles, biosensor development, and medical diagnostics. She also teaches Physics I for Automotive Engineering students across multiple academic years and participates in doctoral programs in Photoinduced Processes and Technologies and Bioengineering at both the Polytechnic University of Turin and the University of Perugia. Her laboratory research focuses on synthesizing and characterizing plasmonic nanomaterials, particularly gold nanostars, and applying them to solve critical challenges in medical diagnostics. Her team develops innovative approaches to modulate biological processes using light-activated nanomaterials, with potential applications ranging from early cancer detection to antiviral therapies.
Alessandro Dal Palu' is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematical, Physical, and Computer Sciences at University of Parma. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from University of Udine and has been with University of Parma since 2005, transitioning from Researcher to Associate Professor in 2014. His teaching portfolio includes courses on Computer Architecture, Constraint Programming, and Algorithms & Data Structures. His research spans computational logic, bioinformatics, and GPU computing. Notable achievements include the 2007 GULP award for his Ph.D. thesis and the ICLP 2010 best paper award. He has led Italian INdAM-GNCS research projects on GPU applications (2011) and Logic Programming in cancer genomics (2016). Recent publications focus on explainable AI frameworks, bioinformatics applications, and sustainable logistics solutions. His work integrates Answer Set Programming with biomedical challenges like protein structure analysis and cancer genome evolution. He chairs the International Conference on Logic Programming (ICLP 2018) and has organized multiple international workshops on constraint programming. 2007 GULP Award ICLP 2010 Best Paper PI for INdAM-GNCS projects (2011, 2016) Program Committee member for international conferences
Sabrina Pacor is an Associate Professor in Applied Biology (BIO/13) at the University of Trieste , where she teaches Pharmacology in the Pharmacy LM and STB BSc programs. With over 30 years of research experience in experimental oncology and host defense peptides, she has made significant contributions to studying antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their interactions with bacterial membranes. Her research focuses on: Direct antimicrobial activity of AMPs against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria Indirect immunomodulatory effects of host defense peptides Development of drug delivery systems using nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles) Mechanistic studies of ruthenium-based antimetastatic drugs She leads extensive cytofluorimetry research using flow cytometry platforms, particularly for evaluating: Cytotoxicity (necrosis/apoptosis, proliferation index) Modulation of host biological responses (chemotaxis, phagocytosis, ROS production) Peptide-bacterial membrane interactions through fluorescent labeling Her recent work demonstrates trends in: Proline-rich antimicrobial peptides against ESKAPE pathogens Hybrid antibiotic design (peptide-aminoglycoside conjugates) Structure-activity relationships in membranolytic peptides Evolutionary insights into defensin and cathelicidin families Prof. Pacor has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and actively mentors students, having supervised: 70 experimental/thesis reviews for Pharmacy/CTF Master's students 20 Bachelor's degree theses
Prof. Giovanni Tonon is a Full Professor at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and holds key leadership roles including Director of the Center for Omics Sciences and Head of the Functional Genomics of Cancer Unit at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy. His academic journey includes a Medical Degree from the University of Padua (110/110 cum laude) and a PhD in Clinical Methodology from the University of Milan. He has held prestigious positions at institutions like Harvard Medical School and the NIH in the US. His research focuses on genomic and bioinformatics approaches to identify cancer-related genes/pathways, with particular emphasis on multiple myeloma and CAR T-cell therapies. He has pioneered studies on DNA damage responses in cancer and developed novel diagnostic/therapeutic technologies. His work integrates molecular oncology, epigenetics, and precision medicine. Prof. Tonon has secured major awards including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Special Fellow Award (2006-2009) and holds 7 patents related to cancer diagnostics and therapies. He actively contributes to teaching, leading courses in Molecular Oncology, Gene Expression Analysis, and Scientific Writing at San Raffaele University. His research group collaborates internationally, driving initiatives like the DigiONE federated learning system for precision oncology. Education: PhD in Clinical Methodology, University of Milan (2002) Medical Degree, University of Padua (1992) Music Professor Certification in Piano, Conservatory of Venice (1989) Key Roles: Director, Center for Omics Sciences (2016-present) Unit Head, Functional Genomics of Cancer (2008-present) Professor of Molecular Oncology (2008-2016) His lab focuses on translating genomic discoveries into clinical applications, with recent work advancing CAR T-cell therapies for colorectal cancer and developing federated learning systems for oncology research. He maintains active participation in doctoral programs in Neurocognitive Sciences and serves on institutional research committees.
Nereo Kalebic is a Research Group Leader at the Centre for Neurogenomics, focusing on molecular and cell biological mechanisms underlying human neocortex development, its implications for neurodevelopmental disorders, and brain cancers. He holds a BSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Zagreb (2007) and a PhD from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Heidelberg (2012). His postdoctoral research (2013-2019) at the Max Planck Institute explored neocortex development and evolution. Research interests include neural stem cell biology, glioblastoma stem cell mechanisms, and evolutionary aspects of cortical expansion. His group employs CRISPR/Cas9, advanced live imaging, and cerebral organoids to study these topics. Key projects involve identifying therapeutic targets in glioblastoma and understanding how developmental pathways contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders like Down syndrome. Publications highlight breakthroughs in mechanisms driving tumor growth, neurogenesis differences between humans and Neanderthals, and serotonin receptor roles in progenitor proliferation. The group also develops innovative imaging techniques, such as SOLIST for nanoscale tissue analysis. Advising includes mentoring PhD students (Carlotta Barelli, Ilaria Bertani, Emanuele Capra, Nikola Cokorac, Stefania Faletti) and postdoctoral researchers. Collaborative projects utilize ferret models and human primary samples to bridge basic research and clinical applications. Future work aims to dissect cancer-cell proliferation parallels with neural development and uncover evolutionary mechanisms shaping human cognitive abilities through neocortex expansion.
Giorgio Stassi serves as a Professor in the Department of Surgical and Oncological Disciplines at the School of Medicine and Surgery , University of Palermo . His research focuses on cancer stem cells (CSCs) across colorectal, breast, and thyroid malignancies, with emphasis on microenvironment interactions and therapy resistance mechanisms. Office hours are held weekly at the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology in Palermo. His research interests include: Precision Medicine applications in CSC-targeted therapies Immunological profiling of tumor microenvironments Epigenetic and metabolic drivers of chemoresistance Bioinformatic analysis of CSC phenotypes Drug repurposing for CSC eradication Recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward computational oncology and immunomicroenvironment engineering , with notable work on tumor-on-chip systems, NGS-based prognostics, and macrophage-CSC crosstalk. Key journals include Magazine article and Review essay formats addressing clinical translation of laboratory findings. No scientific awards were documented in the provided materials. His supervisory activities include thesis guidance ("Tesi curate") and Erasmus program coordination, though specific students and projects aren't listed. Research is conducted primarily at the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathophysiology , with institutional support from the ATeN Center and ASCENT Advanced Studies Centre.
Alberto Puliafito serves as Assistant Professor in Oncology at the University of Turin (since 2018) and Researcher in Cell Migration at Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS (since 2010). His dual appointments position him at the intersection of cancer biology and developmental biophysics, with active research spanning tumor heterogeneity, cell migration dynamics, and embryonic patterning mechanisms. His research program integrates quantitative biophysics with molecular oncology to investigate collective cancer cell behaviors and fundamental developmental processes. Key interests include cytoplasmic flow mechanics in Drosophila embryogenesis, heteroclonal tumor cluster formation, and vascular development pathways. This interdisciplinary approach combines live imaging, mathematical modeling, and 3D tumor microenvironment systems to uncover mechanical and molecular drivers of biological organization. Analysis of his 37 publications (2018-2023) reveals consistent focus on cancer cell migration mechanics and embryonic self-organization. Recent work demonstrates how nuclear positioning synchronizes cell cycles in embryos and how heteroclonal clusters drive metastatic progression. His collaborative network bridges cell biologists, physicists, and clinicians, with prominent publications in Cell, Nature Genetics, and Developmental Cell highlighting mechanistic insights with therapeutic implications.
