Curriculum

CURRENT POSITION

  • Associate Professor, scientific disciplinary sector MEDS-22/A, Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, Unife;
  • University Medical Director, University Radiology Unit, Inter-Hospital Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory, University-Hospital Trust of Ferrara.

 

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

  • 12/11/2018 - Specialization in Radiodiagnostics, Unife (grade: 50/50 cum laude);
  • 22/10/2013 - Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Unife (grade: 110/110 cum laude and merit mention).

 

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

Instructor for the courses in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Radiological Anatomy, Radioprotection, MRI Imaging Techniques, in the Degree Programs of Unife:

  • Medicine and Surgery;
  • Medical Radiology Techniques, Imaging and Radiotherapy;
  • Medical Biotechnology;
  • Nursing – Pieve di Cento campus.

 

MANAGERIAL ACTIVITIES

  • Director of the Postgraduate Medical School in Radiodiagnostics, Unife;
  • Member of the Steering Committee of the Research Center for the Study of Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases (COMS), Unife;
  • Research Coordinator for the Inter-Hospital Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory, University-Hospital Trust and Local Health Authority of Ferrara;
  • Member of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM), European Society of Radiology (ESR), European Society of Thoracic Imaging (ESTI), Italian Society of Osteoporosis, Mineral Metabolism, and Bone Diseases (SIOMMMS);
  • Founding member of the Scientific Society EXTREMESPORTMED (International Society of Medicine for Outdoor Physical Activity and Extreme Sports);
  • Editorial Board member for international journals indexed in Scopus and/or WoS: Plos One, BioMed Research International;
  • Member of the Disciplinary Board for the University of Molise;
  • Organization and scientific committee for courses and conferences: Prostate Cancer - multidisciplinary update in a personalized medicine perspective (Ferrara, 27/09/2024); 9th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Neurovascular Disease (ISNVD) (Ferrara, 30-31/05/2019); Theoretical-practical course on multiparametric prostate MRI (Ferrara, 11-12/04/2019).

 

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

  • Publications: 57 articles in international scientific journals, H-index = 12, Citations: 454 (16/01/2025, Scopus), and 3 book chapters.
  • Numerous poster and communication presentations at International and National Conferences.
  • Frequent participation in National Congresses as speaker or moderator.

 

Main Research Topics in Radiodiagnostics:

  • Diagnostic and prognostic assessment of pulmonary interstitial diseases. Studies focus on diagnostic characterization and longitudinal assessment of pulmonary interstitial diseases using High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). This approach, developed during a fellowship at the University of Parma under the supervision of Prof. Nicola Sverellati, is the gold standard for non-invasive diagnosis. The correlation between HRCT findings and underlying histopathological changes is well-established. Radiological evaluation by an experienced radiologist is critical for differential diagnosis and progression assessment, guiding patients toward specific antifibrotic treatment after multidisciplinary discussion.
  • Radiomics and Artificial Intelligence. Radiomics, which involves extracting quantitative data from medical imaging through advanced mathematical analysis, is mainly applied in oncology. This methodology contributes to improving diagnosis and prognosis of patients, advancing toward precision medicine. Studies in this field aim to integrate artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic efficiency and personalize treatments.
  • Application of imaging techniques as guidance for minimally invasive interventional procedures. Research, conducted in collaboration with Prof. Gianpaolo Carrafiello's group at the University of Milan, focuses on applying minimally invasive biopsy and percutaneous thermal ablation techniques, guided by CT, MRI, or fusion imaging. These approaches represent significant progress in managing various pathological conditions, reducing invasiveness, and improving patient outcomes.
  • Radiology applied to endocrinological diseases and neuroendocrine tumors. Research focuses on the use of radiological techniques to improve diagnosis and management of endocrinological diseases and neuroendocrine tumors, aiming to provide advanced and accurate diagnostic tools for optimal clinical management.
  • Radiological study of osteoporosis, with particular focus on secondary forms. Studies aim at assessing bone health using radiological techniques such as DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and QCT (Quantitative Computed Tomography). Special attention is given to populations at risk for osteoporosis and fragility fractures, with specific insights into patients with Thalassemia Major. These studies contribute to identifying strategies for prevention and management of related complications.

 

Main Research Projects:

Participation or coordination of the following projects, funded by the University of Ferrara or other entities through competitive procedures:

  • Departmental Research Incentive Fund (FIRD 2022). Project title: "Pilot study on the role of PET tracers for determining brain beta-amyloidosis in a clinical setting of patients with cognitive decline and inconclusive morphological-functional imaging investigations." Role: Principal Investigator.
  • University Research Fund (FAR 2023). Project title: "Assessment of bone density using Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) in patients with connective tissue diseases: comparison with Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)." Role: Principal Investigator.
  • Departmental Research Incentive Fund (FIRD 2023). Project title: "Multimodal clinical imaging PET/MRI: design and development of biocompatible Mn (II) complexes with magnetic and positron emission properties." Role: Collaborator.
  • Three-year project 2023-2025 titled “CUPRUM-TDD, 67/64CU Production and Use in Medicine – Target Technology Development,” approved by the National Scientific Commission 5 (CSN5) and funded by the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFNF). Role: Collaborator; responsible at our University: Dr. P. Martini.

Collaboration or coordination of numerous monocentric or multicentric, national and international studies; among the most significant:

  • Principal investigator in the study titled “CT-based Radiomic biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of indeterminate adrenal masses: retrospective cohort study” (RADICAL), approved by the Ethical Committee of the Central Emilia Area.
  • Principal Investigator in the study titled “Development of a diagnostic algorithm for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary interstitial disease: retrospective diagnostic study (HTML),” approved by the Ethical Committee of the Central Emilia Area; multicentric study involving the A.O.U. of Pavia and A.O.U. of Parma.
  • Collaboration in the study titled “Evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchoaspirate in diagnosing SARS-CoV2 infection in suspected patients with negative swab,” approved by the Ethical Committee of the Central Emilia Area.
  • Collaboration in the study titled “Real-life observational retrospective study aimed at evaluating the functional progression of COPD patients in a 10-year follow-up,” approved by the Ethical Committee of the Central Emilia Area.
  • Referent for the University Radiology Unit at A.O.U. of Ferrara in the study titled “Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of dupilumab on airway inflammation through assessments of lung function, mucus plugging, and other imaging parameters in asthmatic patients - VESTIGE.”
  • Referent for the University Radiology Unit at A.O.U. of Ferrara in the study titled “A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Chronic-dosing, Parallel-group, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Benralizumab 100 mg in Patients with Moderate to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with a History of Frequent COPD Exacerbations and Elevated Peripheral Blood Eosinophils (RESOLUTE).”