I started studying Biology at Sapienza University of Rome, driven by my curiosity for nature and the biological processes that characterise human life and disease. I aspired to analyze the causes and effects of diseases from a genetic and molecular standpoint.
After completing my Bachelor’s degree, with a thesis on the repair of spinal cord injuries through the stimulation of endogenous stem niches or transplantation of Neural Stem Cells, inspired by the complexity of the nervous system, I decided to further my education by pursuing a Master’s degree in Neurobiology in the same University.
On this occasion, I started my internship in the cellular reprogramming group of the C.S.S. Mendel Institute in Rome, where I had the opportunity to work on a project on POLR3A related Leukodystrophy, a rare neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disease.
This experience has strengthened my desire to do research in the field of rare neurodegenerative diseases, I think it is really inspiring to know that we can make a difference for affected patients.
For this reason, and because of the interest I developed in the organ of the eye during the various neurobiology courses, I became interested in the RETORNA project. Furthermore, the fact that several groups of researchers with different backgrounds are involved, who will analyse retinal disease from multiple points of view, perfectly embodies my idea of research. Indeed, I am increasingly convinced that the cooperation of experts in different fields is essential to tackle such difficult challenges.
This is why I believe that my experience in cell cultures and the study of vesicles, combined with my incessant curiosity and my ambition, can make a positive contribution to this project, in the hope of contributing significantly to improving the patient’s quality of life.