Francesca graduated in Biological Sciences (biomolecular specialisation) at the University of Palermo (110 cum laude), with a thesis aimed at evaluating the effects of ectopic decorin expression on proteomic and phenotypic modulation of breast cancer cells.

During her post-graduation period, she worked for a couple of years at the Diabetes Research Institute of Miami gaining gaining in-depth knowledge of the biology of pancreatic islands and the pathogenesis of type I diabetes (T1D) as well as collaborating on research projects..

Since 2007 she works at ISMETT -Istituto Mediterraneo Trapianti e Terapie di Alta Specializzazione- (initially for ISMETT, as Research Staff, and later for the Ri.MED Foundation) and was involved in the program of isolation of pancreatic islands for the treatment of patients with DT1, also taking part in research and isolation related to fetal liver cells.

Shegained experience in the field of Regenerative Medicine and its applications and in 2014 he obtained the title of PhD in Experimental and Molecular Medicine at the University of Palermo, discussing a thesis on mesenchymal cells of  Wharton jelly , isolated from pre-term umbilical cords, and their potential use as a source of stem cells for regenerative medicine.

She is currently part of the Production Group of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) at ISMETT Cell Factory.

Her work mainly concerns the study and application of Adoptive Immunotherapy strategies, a therapeutic option aimed at limiting or resolving some pathological manifestations or neoplasms associated with viruses that often arise, in an immunosuppression context, in patients transplanted following primary infections or reactivations of viruses such as EBV (Epstein Barr Virus), CMV (cytomegalovirus), ADV (adenovirus) and BK polioma virus