Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Ferrara, Department of Translational Medicine and for Romagna, Academic Discipline MEDS-05/A – Internal Medicine
Director of the University Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Anna di Ferrara)
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Medical Degree in Medicine and Surgery, with honours
Specialist Qualification in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, with honours
PhD in Medical Pathophysiology, with honours
Second-level University Master's Degree in Health Services Economics and Management, awarded with the highest marks
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Degree Programmes
Medicine and Surgery (Single-Cycle Master's Degree, Class LM-41)
Dietetics (Bachelor's Degree qualifying for the profession of Dietitian, Class L/SNT3)
Medical Biotechnology (Bachelor's Degree, Class L-2)
Biotechnology for Translational Medicine (Master's Degree, Class LM-9)
Pharmacy (Single-Cycle Master's Degree, Class LM-13)
Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity Sciences and Techniques (Master's Degree, Class LM-67)
Postgraduate Specialty Training Programmes
Internal Medicine, D.I. 68/2015
Geriatrics, D.I. 68/2015
Emergency Medicine, D.I. 68/2015
Sports and Exercise Medicine, D.I. 68/2015
Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry – Healthcare Area, D.I. 716/2016
Doctoral Programme
Teaching activities within the PhD Programme in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology at the University of Ferrara, as a member of its Academic Board.
University Master's Programmes
Teaching activities within first- and second-level University Master's Programmes.
ACADEMIC AND HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Director of the University Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara
Director of the Postgraduate Specialty Training Programme in Geriatrics, University of Ferrara
Coordinator of the Degree Programme in Dietetics, qualifying for the profession of Dietitian (Class L/SNT3), University of Ferrara
Coordinator of the inter-institutional Preventive, Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Care Pathway (PPDTA) for patients with nutrition-related conditions
Member of the Emilia-Romagna Regional Coordination Group for the Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Network, jointly representing the University Hospital of Ferrara and the Ferrara Local Health Authority
Member of the Central Emilia Area Medicines Committee
Member of the Academic Board of the PhD Programme in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology
Member of the Council of the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Her preclinical, translational and clinical research focuses on metabolic and nutritional diseases, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk, and their interplay with ageing and complex chronic conditions.
Research Areas
Obesity, diabetes and cardiometabolic health. Investigation of the clinical, metabolic and molecular determinants of obesity and its complications, diabetes, and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, with particular emphasis on risk stratification, phenotypic characterisation and the identification of predictors of response to therapeutic interventions.
Nutrition, body composition and physical activity. Investigation of the effects of diet, energy restriction, physical activity and inactivity on glucose and lipid metabolism, body composition, and cross-talk between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Research activities include observational and interventional studies based on different nutritional and exercise models.
Dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Investigation of the determinants of residual cardiovascular risk, primary and secondary dyslipidaemias, and familial hypercholesterolaemia, with particular emphasis on personalised medicine, biomarker identification and the evaluation of innovative pharmacological strategies. Research in this area is also conducted within the Italian LIPIGEN Network and through international collaborations focusing on genetic dyslipidaemias.
Translational research and precision medicine. Investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking adipose tissue dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities, inflammation and vascular injury, using cellular models and the integration of clinical, biochemical, genetic and omics data. Particular emphasis is placed on genetic variants, microRNAs and the miRNome and their relationships with metabolic and cardiovascular phenotypes.
Metabolic diseases, ageing and cognitive decline. Investigation of the relationships between diabetes, chronic kidney disease, systemic inflammation and cognitive impairment, with the aim of identifying biomarkers and molecular signatures associated with the risk and progression of cognitive decline.
Clinical nutrition and malnutrition. Investigation of the assessment and treatment of malnutrition and alterations in nutritional status across different clinical settings, including the development and validation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and models of care, and participation in multicentre clinical nutrition projects.
Cardiometabolic health and complex chronic conditions. Investigation of metabolic, nutritional and cardiovascular determinants in populations with high clinical complexity, including long-term cancer survivors.
Clinical Studies and Trials
Clinical research activities include the design, coordination and conduct of observational studies, prospective cohort studies, multicentre studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs), encompassing both investigator-initiated studies and trials conducted through academic collaborations and industry sponsorship, with a particular focus on obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk and clinical nutrition. Clinical trial activities also include national and international multicentre pharmacological RCTs, including Phase II and Phase III studies, primarily evaluating innovative therapeutic strategies in metabolic and cardiovascular medicine.
Research activities, conducted in collaboration with national and international research groups, are carried out in accordance with the ethical principles for medical research established by the WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants – and with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
Collaborations
Participation in national and international research groups and networks, including the LIPIGEN Network and the European Atherosclerosis Society Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (EAS FHSC), as well as national and international multicentre collaborations in metabolic, cardiovascular and nutritional research.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Scientific Coordinator and Principal Investigator of national and international research projects awarded competitive funding following peer review.
Participation in multicentre and interdisciplinary research projects in the fields of metabolic and nutritional diseases, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk, ageing and neurocognitive decline.
Research activities are supported by public and private funding bodies external to the University of Ferrara and include scientific collaborations with universities, research institutes, scientific societies, and national and international research networks.
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
Associate Editor of Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Member of the Editorial Boards of international scientific journals.
Peer reviewer for international scientific journals in the fields of internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism, nutrition, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular medicine.
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
Director of the University Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara.
Clinical activities encompass the diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive management of patients with complex multimorbidity, with particular emphasis on metabolic and nutritional diseases, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular prevention.
Head of the Centre for the Study and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases, Atherosclerosis and Clinical Nutrition.
Clinical activities also include the multidisciplinary management of patients with nutrition-related conditions and the integration of patient care, diagnostic and therapeutic care pathways, translational research and clinical trials.
LEADERSHIP ROLES IN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
Member of the National Executive Board of the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis (SISA).
National Coordinator of the Regional Sections of the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis (SISA).
Member of the Board of Directors of the SISA Foundation for the 2026–2028 term.
Director of the University Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Anna di Ferrara)
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Medical Degree in Medicine and Surgery, with honours
Specialist Qualification in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, with honours
PhD in Medical Pathophysiology, with honours
Second-level University Master's Degree in Health Services Economics and Management, awarded with the highest marks
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Degree Programmes
Medicine and Surgery (Single-Cycle Master's Degree, Class LM-41)
Dietetics (Bachelor's Degree qualifying for the profession of Dietitian, Class L/SNT3)
Medical Biotechnology (Bachelor's Degree, Class L-2)
Biotechnology for Translational Medicine (Master's Degree, Class LM-9)
Pharmacy (Single-Cycle Master's Degree, Class LM-13)
Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity Sciences and Techniques (Master's Degree, Class LM-67)
Postgraduate Specialty Training Programmes
Internal Medicine, D.I. 68/2015
Geriatrics, D.I. 68/2015
Emergency Medicine, D.I. 68/2015
Sports and Exercise Medicine, D.I. 68/2015
Clinical Pathology and Clinical Biochemistry – Healthcare Area, D.I. 716/2016
Doctoral Programme
Teaching activities within the PhD Programme in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology at the University of Ferrara, as a member of its Academic Board.
University Master's Programmes
Teaching activities within first- and second-level University Master's Programmes.
ACADEMIC AND HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Director of the University Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara
Director of the Postgraduate Specialty Training Programme in Geriatrics, University of Ferrara
Coordinator of the Degree Programme in Dietetics, qualifying for the profession of Dietitian (Class L/SNT3), University of Ferrara
Coordinator of the inter-institutional Preventive, Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Care Pathway (PPDTA) for patients with nutrition-related conditions
Member of the Emilia-Romagna Regional Coordination Group for the Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Network, jointly representing the University Hospital of Ferrara and the Ferrara Local Health Authority
Member of the Central Emilia Area Medicines Committee
Member of the Academic Board of the PhD Programme in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology
Member of the Council of the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Her preclinical, translational and clinical research focuses on metabolic and nutritional diseases, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk, and their interplay with ageing and complex chronic conditions.
Research Areas
Obesity, diabetes and cardiometabolic health. Investigation of the clinical, metabolic and molecular determinants of obesity and its complications, diabetes, and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, with particular emphasis on risk stratification, phenotypic characterisation and the identification of predictors of response to therapeutic interventions.
Nutrition, body composition and physical activity. Investigation of the effects of diet, energy restriction, physical activity and inactivity on glucose and lipid metabolism, body composition, and cross-talk between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Research activities include observational and interventional studies based on different nutritional and exercise models.
Dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Investigation of the determinants of residual cardiovascular risk, primary and secondary dyslipidaemias, and familial hypercholesterolaemia, with particular emphasis on personalised medicine, biomarker identification and the evaluation of innovative pharmacological strategies. Research in this area is also conducted within the Italian LIPIGEN Network and through international collaborations focusing on genetic dyslipidaemias.
Translational research and precision medicine. Investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking adipose tissue dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities, inflammation and vascular injury, using cellular models and the integration of clinical, biochemical, genetic and omics data. Particular emphasis is placed on genetic variants, microRNAs and the miRNome and their relationships with metabolic and cardiovascular phenotypes.
Metabolic diseases, ageing and cognitive decline. Investigation of the relationships between diabetes, chronic kidney disease, systemic inflammation and cognitive impairment, with the aim of identifying biomarkers and molecular signatures associated with the risk and progression of cognitive decline.
Clinical nutrition and malnutrition. Investigation of the assessment and treatment of malnutrition and alterations in nutritional status across different clinical settings, including the development and validation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and models of care, and participation in multicentre clinical nutrition projects.
Cardiometabolic health and complex chronic conditions. Investigation of metabolic, nutritional and cardiovascular determinants in populations with high clinical complexity, including long-term cancer survivors.
Clinical Studies and Trials
Clinical research activities include the design, coordination and conduct of observational studies, prospective cohort studies, multicentre studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs), encompassing both investigator-initiated studies and trials conducted through academic collaborations and industry sponsorship, with a particular focus on obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk and clinical nutrition. Clinical trial activities also include national and international multicentre pharmacological RCTs, including Phase II and Phase III studies, primarily evaluating innovative therapeutic strategies in metabolic and cardiovascular medicine.
Research activities, conducted in collaboration with national and international research groups, are carried out in accordance with the ethical principles for medical research established by the WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Participants – and with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
Collaborations
Participation in national and international research groups and networks, including the LIPIGEN Network and the European Atherosclerosis Society Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (EAS FHSC), as well as national and international multicentre collaborations in metabolic, cardiovascular and nutritional research.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Scientific Coordinator and Principal Investigator of national and international research projects awarded competitive funding following peer review.
Participation in multicentre and interdisciplinary research projects in the fields of metabolic and nutritional diseases, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular risk, ageing and neurocognitive decline.
Research activities are supported by public and private funding bodies external to the University of Ferrara and include scientific collaborations with universities, research institutes, scientific societies, and national and international research networks.
EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
Associate Editor of Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Member of the Editorial Boards of international scientific journals.
Peer reviewer for international scientific journals in the fields of internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolism, nutrition, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular medicine.
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
Director of the University Internal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Ferrara.
Clinical activities encompass the diagnosis, treatment and comprehensive management of patients with complex multimorbidity, with particular emphasis on metabolic and nutritional diseases, obesity, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular prevention.
Head of the Centre for the Study and Treatment of Metabolic Diseases, Atherosclerosis and Clinical Nutrition.
Clinical activities also include the multidisciplinary management of patients with nutrition-related conditions and the integration of patient care, diagnostic and therapeutic care pathways, translational research and clinical trials.
LEADERSHIP ROLES IN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
Member of the National Executive Board of the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis (SISA).
National Coordinator of the Regional Sections of the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis (SISA).
Member of the Board of Directors of the SISA Foundation for the 2026–2028 term.
