Maria Pina Serra

Maria Pina Serra is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Cagliari. She specializes in human anatomy and neurobiology, with office hours available by appointment. Her research focuses on neural plasticity and sensory systems through both observational studies and experimental models.

Research Interests:
Her work spans two primary domains:

• Chemical neuroanatomy: Mapping neurochemical markers in human/animal nervous systems, studying ontogenetic variations, and characterizing trigeminal sensory neurons involved in pain processing.
• Experimental neuroanatomy: Investigating neurobiological mechanisms in brain injury models (hypoperfusion), stress resilience/vulnerability in depression, neural plasticity in sexual behavior, and chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.

Publication Trends:
Her recent articles (2018-2023) predominantly explore neurochemical responses to stressors, neuroplasticity markers (BDNF/trkB), and therapeutic interventions for neurological conditions. Research utilizes rodent models and advanced neuroimaging techniques.

Academic Engagement:
Organizes educational outreach, including workshops for school students on human anatomy using microscopy and anatomical models.