Born in 2001, I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Palermo, developing a solid background in basic and applied biological sciences. During my undergraduate studies, I focused in particular on the evaluation and characterization of autoantibodies in a clinical setting, carrying out laboratory activities at the Autoimmunity Unit of the Palermo Civic Hospital.

In 2022, I continued my academic training by enrolling in the Master’s Degree program in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Palermo, orienting my studies toward biomedical and translational research. During my master’s program, I completed an initial internship at the Experimental Lung Research laboratory of the Ri.MED Foundation, where I gained experience in the study of molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in lung diseases.

Subsequently, I carried out an international traineeship at the CellNanos biophysics laboratory in Germany, led by Dr. Katia Cosentino. This experience represented an important opportunity for both scientific and personal growth, allowing me to acquire advanced skills in biophysics techniques, as well as in cellular and molecular biology. In this context, I developed my experimental thesis entitled: “Exploring Gasdermin E and Gasdermin D Mitochondrial Membrane Permeabilization in Pyroptotic Cell Death”.

In July 2024, I obtained my Master’s Degree and, in the same year, I was awarded a scholarship for the PhD program in Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (XL Cycle) at the University of Palermo, funded by the Ri.MED Foundation. I am currently conducting my research activity at the National Research Council (CNR) of Palermo, under the supervision of Dr. Chiara Cipollina.

My PhD project, entitled: “Role of Gasdermins in Cigarette Smoke-Associated Lung Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction”, focuses on investigating the role of gasdermins in the mechanisms of lung inflammation associated with cigarette smoke exposure and mitochondrial dysfunction, with the aim of contributing to the understanding of the molecular processes underlying respiratory diseases and identifying potential new therapeutic targets.