Silvia Capellino

Prof. Dr. Silvia Capellino serves as Group Leader of the Neuroimmunology research group at the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo) in Dortmund, Germany. She holds the academic rank of Associate Professor conferred by the University of Duisburg-Essen in 2020 and has been a member of the faculty council at the medical faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen since 2017.

Dr. Capellino earned her Diploma in Biology from the University of Genoa, Italy in 2003, followed by a Ph.D. in Clinical and Experimental Immunology jointly from the University of Genoa and University of Regensburg in 2007. She completed her Habilitation at the University of Regensburg in 2012. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral positions at the University of Regensburg (2007-2012), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2012-2013), and the University of Giessen and Kerckhoff Clinic (2015-2016).

Dr. Capellino's research focuses on the intricate connections between the nervous and immune systems, particularly examining how neurotransmitters like dopamine and catecholamines modulate immune responses in autoimmune conditions. Her work has significant implications for understanding sex differences in immunity and developing novel therapeutic approaches for rheumatoid arthritis. As leader of the Junior Research Group "Neuroimmunology" at IfADo since 2016, she has established herself as a prominent researcher in the field of neuroimmunology.

Her recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on dopamine's role in immune regulation, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis, with emphasis on sex differences, B cell and monocyte activation, and potential therapeutic applications. Her work spans basic science investigations of immune cell signaling to clinical applications, reflecting a translational research approach that bridges laboratory findings with potential patient benefits.

Dr. Capellino has received significant research support including a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie scholarship (2016-2019) which enabled her to establish her independent research group. Her leadership extends beyond her laboratory as she serves on the faculty council at the medical faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen, contributing to academic governance and policy.

At the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dr. Capellino leads the Neuroimmunology research group within the Immunology department. Her laboratory investigates the neuroendocrine-immune axis with particular focus on catecholamine signaling in inflammatory conditions. The team employs a multidisciplinary approach combining immunological techniques, molecular biology, and clinical research to unravel the complex interactions between the nervous and immune systems.