I was born in Palermo in 1990, and I have always harbored an innate passion for the field of biology. My academic journey served as a springboard to explore and contribute to this fascinating area of study.

I began this journey with a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at the University of Palermo. During this period, I dedicated my energy to the study of chromosomal abnormalities in spontaneous abortions, a topic that aroused my interest and helped shape my future career in the field of biology. I continued my academic path with a master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology at the University of Milano-Bicocca. My thesis, titled “5-FU treatment activates TGF-β signaling pathway, which, in turn, induces chemoresistance in colorectal carcinoma models,” demonstrated my commitment to research and understanding complex biological mechanisms. My professional career followed an intriguing trajectory when I joined the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, working in the Functional Genomics of Cancer Unit. During my research fellow, I have studied the role of histone demethylase UTX in cancer, with particular interest in its involvement in DNA Damage response.

I had the possibility to perform a project granted by Italy’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico of Milan and European Institute of Oncology (Milan) that perfectly was a natural extension of my previous experiences in cancer research. Within this project, I deepened my understanding of mucosal immunology, the microenvironment, and intestinal microbiota. My findings contributed to highlighting the crucial role of the microbiota in influencing the progression of colorectal cancer, leading to the award of an AIRC-FIRC research grant in 2020. This fellowship solidified my dedication to the field of biology and spurred me to seek new challenges.

Today, I am currently holding a research fellowship in Fondazione Ri.MED, within the group led by Dr.ssa Chiara Cipollina. My work experiences have helped me develop professional and collaborative skills. I am involved in projects aimed at developing nanosensors (in collaboration with the National Research Council of Palermo and the Department of Engineering at the University of Palermo) and, with various experimental models in our laboratory, I investigate the role of cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in epithelial and immunity primary cells.