Silvia Ottaviani

Dr. Silvia Ottaviani is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Cell Biology at the Bioscience Department, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University (NTU), and Group Leader at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre. She holds an Honorary Lecturer position at Imperial College London and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her academic journey includes a BSc in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from San Raffaele University (Milan), an MSc in Molecular Medicine, and a PhD in Cancer Biology from Imperial College London.

Her research focuses on non-coding RNAs (microRNAs and lncRNAs) in epithelial cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. Key interests include:

• Regulation of metastatic processes through tumor microenvironment interactions
• Circulating microRNAs as clinical biomarkers
• Nanoparticle-based RNA therapeutics delivery
• Tumor heterogeneity via single-cell RNA sequencing
• COVID-19 biomarker discovery and therapeutic repurposing

Current projects explore RNA-based interventions for advanced pancreatic cancer.

Publication analysis reveals three primary domains:

• Pancreatic cancer biology (40% of recent works)
• COVID-19 therapeutics (35% since 2020)
• Novel drug delivery systems (25%)

Her research consistently bridges molecular oncology with clinical translation, particularly in RNA therapeutics and biomarker development.

Awards & Recognition:

• Finalist: COVID Unsung Hero Awards (Women in STEM)

Grants & Collaborations: Secured £365k in funding including:

• British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (£25k, co-PI)
• Action Against Cancer (£340k, co-PI)

Actively supervises postgraduate researchers and welcomes PhD applicants in molecular oncology.

Leads an independent research group at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre focused on translational RNA biology. Maintains editorial roles at Oncogene and Cancer Gene Therapy, and holds memberships in BACR, EACR, Biochemical Society, and FEBS.