CURRENT POSITION
Full Professor, Scientific Discipline Sector MEDS-03/A, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Department of Environmental and Preventive Sciences, University of Ferrara

PREVIOUS POSITIONS
2018–2021: Associate Professor, Scientific Discipline Sector MED/07, Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical, and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara.
2010–2018: Permanent Researcher, MED-07, Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine – Microbiology Section, University of Ferrara.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
2000: Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Ferrara.
2005: Specialization in Medical Genetics – Non-Medical Track, University of Ferrara.
2007: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara.

MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
2022–present: Vice-Rector for Research, University of Ferrara.
2022–present: Chair of the Research and Third Mission Council, University of Ferrara.
2020–present: Member of the Academic Board for the Ph.D. Program in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
2020–present: Head of the BSL3 Laboratory, University of Ferrara.
2019–2021: Representative of Associate Professors in the BIO-MED area on the Academic Senate, University of Ferrara.
Member of the Italian Society of Virology (SIV).
Member of the Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM).

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Publications: 217 articles in international scientific journals, H-index: 40, Citations: 5,557 (as of January 23, 2025, Scopus).
Main Research Topics:
Investigation of host-pathogen interactions related to human diseases, including autoimmunity, pregnancy complications, and neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Analysis of viral immune evasion mechanisms through HLA-G, a molecule with tolerogenic properties, and its role in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions.
Studies on Herpesvirus infections, particularly their role in neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on HHV-6A and HHV-6B and their relationship with HLA-G and other inflammatory and neurodegenerative biomarkers.
Research on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infections on immunity, pregnancy, and coagulation processes.
Exploration of bacterial quorum-sensing inhibitors.
Study of the pathogenic role of specific Flavivirus proteins.