Alessandro Cellerino

Alessandro Cellerino is a Professor at Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Italy, and serves as an Associated Group Leader at the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI) in Jena, Germany. His position at FLI is maintained through a collaboration between the two institutions, with his primary laboratory located in Pisa and a guest status at FLI. Since 2020, he has held the prestigious title of Leibniz Chair, recognizing outstanding research personalities with strong ties to Leibniz institutions.

Professor Cellerino's research focuses on the biological mechanisms of aging, with particular emphasis on:

• MicroRNAs and their role in aging regulation
• Aging processes in neuronal stem cells
• Effects of mild stress (hormesis) on longevity

His work primarily utilizes Nothobranchius furzeri (turquoise killifish), the shortest-lived vertebrate that can be maintained under laboratory conditions, which he pioneered as a model organism for aging research. This fish ages similarly to humans but significantly faster, with a lifespan of only 4-12 months. Professor Cellerino's research integrates genomic, molecular, cellular, and organism levels of analysis to identify physiological mechanisms controlling brain aging and lifespan.

His notable scientific awards include:

• Max Bürger Prize by the German Society for Gerontology and Geriatrics (2010)
• Thuringian Research Prize in the basic research category (2018)
• Leibniz Chair appointment by the Leibniz Association (2019)

Professor Cellerino leads a research team comprising postdoctoral researchers and doctoral candidates. His laboratory investigates fundamental questions about the aging process using innovative approaches and model systems, contributing significantly to our understanding of vertebrate aging mechanisms.