Neuroscientist and preclinical researcher with expertise in behavioral neuroscience, neuropharmacology, molecular biology, and translational research, with a particular focus on inhibitory neurotransmission and neurological disorders.
I obtained my BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Pisa in 2019 (110/110 cum laude) and my MSc in Neuroscience from the University of Pisa in 2021 (110/110). In 2026, I completed a PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Genoa and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), under the supervision of Dr. Laura Cancedda.
I am currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Brain Development and Diseases Lab at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT).
My research focuses on:
• Preclinical studies of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders using rodent models
• Behavioral phenotyping and assessment of cognitive and neuropsychiatric alterations
• Neuropharmacological studies and preclinical characterization of novel therapeutic compounds
• Molecular, biochemical, and histological analyses of brain tissue
• In vivo drug administration and experimental procedures, including stereotaxic surgery and viral delivery
• Investigation of GABAergic neurotransmission, chloride homeostasis, and inhibitory circuit function
During my PhD, my research focused on the mechanisms underlying age-related cognitive decline, particularly the role of altered hippocampal GABAergic signaling and chloride regulation. I investigated the therapeutic potential of modulating the KCC2 chloride transporter through an integrated approach combining behavioral studies, molecular analyses, pharmacology, imaging, and translational investigations.
My current research focuses on inhibitory circuit dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders and on the preclinical characterization of novel pharmacological approaches for neurological diseases. My work combines mechanistic research with translational pharmacology to understand disease-related alterations in neuronal function and identify potential therapeutic strategies.