Dr Adam Ritchie serves as a Senior Vaccinologist at the University of Oxford's Jenner Institute and Lecturer in Human Science at St Catherine's College. His work focuses on translating academic vaccine research into real-world impact through the development, manufacture, and clinical testing of candidates for rabies, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and SARS-CoV-2. Education: Holds a BSc, PhD, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) qualification. His research spans vaccine development, clinical trial design, regulatory affairs, and public policy through Vax-Hub Global. Key interests include adenovirus-vectored platforms, scalable manufacturing processes, and addressing global health challenges in resource-limited settings. Analysis of his 2020-2025 publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on ChAdOx1-vectored vaccines. Dominant themes include prime-boost regimens, intranasal delivery systems, cost-effectiveness modeling for low-income countries, and material science applications for vaccine stabilization. His work bridges laboratory innovation with implementation science, particularly in rabies prophylaxis and pandemic response. Ritchie actively contributes to the Douglas Research Group at the Jenner Institute and global vaccine initiatives through Vax-Hub. His collaborative work appears in high-impact journals including The Lancet, Nature Medicine, and Vaccine, with emphasis on clinical translation and equitable vaccine access.
Giuseppe Banfi is a Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, where he has held a full academic position since 2006. His career spans over three decades, combining clinical laboratory leadership with academic contributions in aging, musculoskeletal health, and nutritional biochemistry. Graduated Medicine (1984, University of Pavia) Specialized in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine (1988, University of Milan) His research focuses on clinical biochemistry applications in geriatrics, musculoskeletal disorders, and immuno-nutrition. Recent publications highlight innovations in laboratory medicine value-based models, sarcopenia tele-rehabilitation platforms, and aging-related fall prevention strategies. Journal collaborations span Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and Endocrine Reviews . Current work involves multidisciplinary integration of oral health in orthopedic surgery, telemedicine effectiveness for musculoskeletal conditions, and vitamin D supplementation guidelines. His leadership in scientific research programs at Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute and San Donato Foundation Hospital Group demonstrates ongoing translational science engagement. Management roles include directorships at Fondazione Centro San Raffaele and Istituto Insubrico Ricerca per La Vita Foundation.
Lorena REBECCHI is a Full Professor in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her research focuses on tardigrade biology, particularly their survival mechanisms under extreme conditions such as desiccation, temperature extremes, and radiation. She explores phylogenetic relationships, symbiotic microbiota, and evolutionary adaptations of these organisms. REBECCHI's work integrates morphological, molecular, and physiological approaches, contributing to understanding anhydrobiosis, stress responses, and tardigrade ecology. Key research areas include tardigrade phylogeny (e.g., resolving their position within Panarthropoda), environmental adaptations (e.g., thermal tolerance and acid resistance), and astrobiology applications (e.g., space flight experiments). She has described multiple new species and revised taxonomic classifications within Tardigrada. REBECCHI collaborates internationally, evidenced by conferences like the 2024 IADCI meeting hosted at her institution. Publications emphasize comparative transcriptomics, symbiont evolution, and the structural basis of tardigrade feeding mechanisms. Her lab's work on Antarctic tardigrades highlights climate change impacts and genetic diversity. REBECCHI's research has practical applications in biotechnology (e.g., space food systems) and environmental monitoring.
Donato Romano serves as Associate Professor at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy, where he coordinates the Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab and co-founded the spin-off company HUBILIFE srl. His interdisciplinary work bridges robotics, biology, and AI to develop biohybrid systems for biodiversity preservation, sustainable environmental management, and life support in extreme scenarios including space exploration. With over 90 publications and an H-index of 27 (Scopus, March 2025), he has established significant academic leadership through editorial roles across 12+ international journals. Romano's educational foundation includes advanced degrees with honors: an M.Sc. in Agriculture Science and Technologies (2014) and a PhD in BioRobotics (2018), both from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. His academic journey includes visiting scholar positions at Khalifa University and substantial industry-academia collaboration through HUBILIFE srl, which commercializes bioinspired devices for human daily life improvement. His research program focuses on bioinspired and biomimetic robotics with particular emphasis on animal-robot interaction, biohybrid systems, and natural intelligence. Key projects address critical global challenges: SENSORBEES develops biohybrid environmental surveillance for ecological monitoring; REGOLIFE investigates lunar soil-terrestrial organism interactions for space agriculture; and OCEAN ROBOCTO explores marine ecosystem solutions. This work demonstrates a strategic progression from fundamental behavioral studies toward applied ecological and extraterrestrial systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in AI-driven behavioral analysis, with deep learning increasingly applied to entomological studies and pest management. The research spans agricultural applications (precision monitoring traps, larval detection systems), ecological conservation (biodiversity surveillance), and extreme-environment adaptation (lunar regolith studies). A distinctive feature is the consistent integration of biohybrid approaches where living organisms and robotic systems create synergistic capabilities exceeding either component alone. Romano's scientific recognition includes election as Junior Fellow of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (2025), the Lucani fuori dal Comune award (2024), and multiple best-thesis prizes. His editorial leadership spans high-impact journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics and Pest Management Science, where he serves as Associate Editor. As principal investigator, Romano coordinates major international projects totaling over €15M in funding: HORIZON-EIC's SENSORBEES (2024-2029), ASI's REGOLIFE (2024-2027), National Geographic's OCEAN ROBOCTO (2024-2026), and PRIN's COSMIC (2023-2025). His teaching portfolio includes PhD courses in Biosystems for Biorobotics and M.Sc. instruction in Bionics Engineering at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and University of Pisa. The Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab under Romano's direction pioneers biohybrid technologies where living organisms and robotic systems create integrated solutions. Current initiatives include SENSORBEES' environmental monitoring swarms, REGOLIFE's moonworm colonization systems, and HUBILIFE's commercial vector-control devices. The lab maintains active collaborations with space agencies, agricultural institutes, and conservation organizations, positioning biohybrid systems as next-generation tools for planetary-scale challenges.
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.
Prof.ssa Elda Favari is a Full-Time Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Italy . Her research focuses on atherosclerosis physiology , cholesterol metabolism , and cellular cholesterol efflux processes . She has collaborated with international institutions in the USA , Australia , and Switzerland . PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology (University of Parma, 2005) Academic Editor for the journal Medicine Member of Italian Society of Pharmacology , European Lipoprotein Club , and International Atherosclerosis Society Her scientific contributions include over 50 peer-reviewed publications , an H-index of 23 , and 16 Q1-journal publications from the last 15 years. Key research areas cover reverse cholesterol transport , PCSK9 mechanisms , and HDL functionality in diseases like familial hypercholesterolemia , cancer , and autoimmune disorders . Recent Google Scholar publications (2023-2025) examine: HDL modulation through nutraceuticals and 3D-printed devices Immune checkpoint inhibitors in relation to lipid profiles PCSK9-lomitapide interactions in genetic lipid disorders Anti-ApoA-1 IgGs as atherogenic factors 2000: AstraZeneca Grant at SISA Congress 2011: National Research Grant for Lupus Study She has held institutional roles including Student Orientation Delegate and serves on scientific committees for international congresses. Teaching spans Toxicology , Anticancer Chemotherapy , and Pharmacovigilance across Pharmacy , Food Safety , and Drug Sciences programs.
Mara Bonelli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Parma, Italy, teaching General Pathology across Nursing, Medicine and Surgery, and Speech and Language Therapy programs since 2013/2014 with appointments extending to 2025/2026. Education: Graduated with honors in Biological Sciences (1995), University of Parma PhD in Biology and Molecular Pathology (1999), University of Parma Research Focus: Her work centers on translational oncology , developing molecular-targeted and immunotherapeutic strategies for malignant pleural mesothelioma, breast, renal, and lung carcinomas using in vitro cell models and in vivo animal studies to overcome treatment resistance through technological innovation. Publication Trends: 2024 research demonstrates concentrated efforts in NSCLC resistance mechanisms via metabolic targeting (glucose starvation, glucosylceramide synthase) and immunomodulation of antiangiogenic drugs in renal carcinoma to enhance anti-PD-1 efficacy, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches in oncological therapeutics. Collaborations: Actively partners with Italian and international research groups in translational oncology initiatives.
Daniela Carnevale is a Full Professor at Sapienza University of Rome, where she serves in the Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies within the Faculty of Medicine. She directs the Laboratory of Neuro and Cardiovascular Immunology at the Department of Molecular Medicine, based at IRCCS Neuromed in Pozzilli. Her academic career spans over a decade with a permanent position as Assistant Professor since 2012, progressing to her current role as Full Professor. Education: PhD in Neuroscience (2010) - Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome Professional qualification in Biology (2006) - Sapienza University of Rome Degree in Biological Sciences (2005) - Sapienza University of Rome, final mark 110/110 cum laude Daniela Carnevale's research primarily focuses on the intersection of cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, and immunology. She investigates neuroimmune mechanisms in hypertension, exploring how the nervous and immune systems interact to influence blood pressure regulation and organ damage. Her work encompasses biotechnologies and translational approaches to understand arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure, Alzheimer's related dementias, and adaptive immune responses. She has pioneered research on brain-spleen communication pathways in hypertension, demonstrating how neural signals prime immune responses that contribute to cardiovascular pathology. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces, with particular focus on hypertension-induced cognitive impairment, cerebrovascular remodeling, and organ damage mechanisms. Her work increasingly integrates advanced imaging techniques, genetic analyses, and immune profiling to uncover novel therapeutic targets for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) (2016) Council on Hypertension Mid Career Award for Research Excellence (2019) International Patent in medical technology (2010) Multiple research awards from the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension Research Award from the Foundation "Roberto Cornelli" (2009) Professor Carnevale has secured significant research funding as Principal Investigator, including grants from Sapienza University, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, and the Italian Ministry of Health. She has supervised numerous PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, and undergraduate students across various biomedical programs. Her laboratory collaborates internationally with leading researchers from Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, University of Glasgow, and University of Munich. At IRCCS Neuromed, Professor Carnevale directs the Laboratory of Neuro and Cardiovascular Immunology, where her team investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroimmune interactions in cardiovascular diseases. Her research facility includes advanced preclinical imaging capabilities, including a 7Tesla MRI for small animal research, which she secured through competitive grant funding.
Pier Giorgio Petronini is a Full Professor of General Pathology at the University of Parma, leading the Experimental Oncology Laboratory within the Department of Medicine and Surgery. He has held research positions at the Pasteur Institute in Paris and serves on the Novartis Oncology Advisory Board, as Academic Editor for PLOS ONE, and reviewer for multiple journals. Scientific Director of Chiara Tassoni Association for Leukemia Research and Augusto per la Vita Association Member of Italian Society of Cancerology, European Association for Cancer Research, and American Society for Investigative Pathology His research focuses on translational molecular oncology in lung, breast cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma, emphasizing preclinical therapeutic strategies. Key projects include targeting CDK4/6, EGFR, and PD-L1 pathways, with recent work on metabolic adaptations in drug-resistant cancers. Selected publications highlight advancements in: CDK4/6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR combination therapy for TNBC FGFR2-MEK synergy in cancers of unknown primary PD-L1-STAT signaling in NSCLC angiogenesis He coordinates grants from AIRC, Novartis, AstraZeneca, and Chiesi Farmaceutici, and holds patents for irreversible EGFR and MDR1 inhibitors.
Alessandra Pesce is an Associate Professor at the Department of Physics (DIFI) of the University of Genoa, Italy. Her research focuses on structural biology of globins, protein aggregation, and cold-adapted enzymes, with applications in life sciences, environmental monitoring, and cultural heritage preservation. She teaches Applied Physics and Biophysics at both undergraduate and graduate levels in Physics and Biological Sciences. Her work spans from atomic-level characterization of protein crystals using Atomic Force Microscopy to large-scale ecological projects like the LIFE+ WHALESAFE initiative for sperm whale conservation through acoustic monitoring. Email: alessandra.pesce@unige.it Phone: +39 010 33 56243 Research Interests: Structural characterization of hexa-coordinated globins in marine organisms Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of truncated hemoglobins in pathogenic bacteria Quaternary structure adaptations in Antarctic enzymes Development of acoustic monitoring systems for marine mammal conservation Protein aggregation mechanisms in amyloid-related diseases Publication Trends: Over 15 years, her research demonstrates expertise in combining X-ray crystallography with biophysical techniques to study globin family proteins across diverse species (from nematodes to whales). Key themes include heme reactivity modulation, ligand diffusion pathways, and structure-function relationships in extremophile proteins, with recent emphasis on marine conservation technology.
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.
Fabrizio Farina is a Lecturer at the Department of Law, Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM) within the University of Sannio. His academic activities focus on Statistics (SECS-S/01) and interdisciplinary research at the intersection of public health, microbiology, and molecular biology. University: University of Sannio Department: Law, Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM) Contact: fafarina@unisannio.it | +39 0824 305099 His research explores: Molecular epidemiology of genital infections in Southern Italy Role of sialic acid in bacterial meningitis pathogenesis Comparative virulence analysis in murine models Gender-specific infection patterns and reproductive health impacts Microbial interactions and co-infection dynamics Publications reflect collaborations with researchers in microbiology, infectious diseases, and neurology, including studies on: 2022 Diagnostics journal: Genital infection prevalence in Campania 2019 Infection and Immunity study: Meningococcal virulence mechanisms
Christine S. Rollier is an Associate Professor in Vaccinology at the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, where she leads the Novel Vaccine Development team. Her research focuses on designing and evaluating new vaccines against bacterial and infectious diseases affecting children, with expertise in viral vector platforms and preclinical studies. University of Lyon I (PhD in Biochemistry, 2000) INSERM (Immunology Training) Biomedical Primate Research Center (Hepatitis C Vaccine Development) Jenner Institute (2007-2010, Malaria Vaccine Vectors) Oxford Vaccine Group (2010-present, Novel Vaccine Development) Her work spans bacterial infections (meningococcus, plague, Q fever, enteric fever, pertussis) and respiratory viruses like RSV. Key methodologies include DNA vaccine design, adenoviral vector optimization, and preclinical/clinical trials. She contributes to vaccine innovation through interdisciplinary approaches combining immunology and molecular biology. Recent publications highlight her leadership in developing adenoviral-vectored vaccines, particularly for capsular group B meningococcus, and exploring DNA vaccine mechanisms. Her research also addresses non-viral diseases, such as regulatory T cell dynamics in autoimmune encephalitis. Funded by: Medical Research Council, Innovate UK, Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, and charities Rollier collaborates with multidisciplinary teams at the Oxford Vaccine Group and serves as a Jenner Investigator, bridging translational medicine and vaccine discovery.
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.
Francesco Neri is a Professor at the Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology (DBIOS) at the University of Turin, Italy. His research focuses on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying aging and cancer development, particularly in intestinal stem cells. He leads the Epigenetics of Aging & Cancer Lab located at the Molecular Biotechnology Center (MBC) "Guido Tarone" in Turin and maintains collaborations with the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena, Germany. Professor Neri's research interests span several interconnected areas related to aging and disease: Epigenetic drift and DNA methylation changes during aging Intestinal stem cell biology and regeneration in aging Inflammaging (age-related chronic inflammation) Gut microbiome dysbiosis in elderly individuals Development of dietary interventions for healthy aging Colon cancer development and epigenetic mechanisms His research group employs cutting-edge technologies including single-cell RNA sequencing, organoid culture systems, and various genome-wide approaches (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, Bisulfite-seq) to investigate the molecular mechanisms connecting aging with intestinal dysfunction and cancer. Recent work has revealed important connections between interferon gamma signaling, intestinal stem cell function, and tissue regeneration in aging. Professor Neri's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on aging, epigenetics, and intestinal biology, with numerous high-impact publications in journals such as Nature Communications, Cell Reports, and Nature Reviews. His work shows a clear trajectory from fundamental epigenetic mechanisms to translational applications in aging and cancer. His research has important implications for developing interventions to improve intestinal health in elderly individuals and potentially prevent age-related diseases including cancer.
