CURRICULUM
STEFANIA GESSI
PLACE AND BIRTH DATE
Ferrara, October 13, 1969
PRESENT POSITION
Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara.
EDUCATION
24/01/2000- PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Ferrara
14/03/1994- Doctor degree in Biology Summa cum Laude, University of Ferrara, Italy
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
1995: Research Fellowship funded by Consorzio Ferrara Ricerche, title of the project “Cellular and molecular pharmacology of A2A adenosine receptors”, supervisor Prof. Pier Andrea Borea, at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Pharmacology section, University of Ferrara.
1995-1999: PhD student in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Ferrara.
1997-1998: Training at Schering Plough Research Institute, San Raffaele Biomedical Science Park, Milan, Italy, supervisor Dr. Ennio Ongini.
1999: Training at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm), supervisor Prof. Bertil Fredholm.
2000-2016: Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Unit, University of Ferrara.
2016-present: Associate Professor at the Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara.
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: 180
Total citations: >9000 (Source: Scopus)
h-index: 59
Book chapters: 19
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2197-5611
Member of Top Italian Scientists
Invited as speaker at national and international meetings
RESEARCH TOPICS
-Thermodynamic characterization of drug-receptor interaction in rat cortex or cell cultures expressing endogenous or transfected GPCRs receptors. These studies highlight the driving mechanisms underlying the drug-receptor complex, as well as the behavior of agonists and antagonists.
-In vitro pharmacological and biochemical characterization of drug-receptor interactions, second messengers, signal transduction and molecular pathways that control survival/apoptosis/inflammation/neurodegeneration.
-Identification of circulating biomarkers in patients suffering from disabling diseases for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
-Studies of molecular pathways modulation by purinergic signaling. Focus on adenosine receptors as novel drug targets in inflammation and neurodegeneration.
-Studies for the characterization of new natural extracts in neurodegeneration.
-Studies of medical devices such as pulsed electromagnetic fields able to increase the efficacy of therapies in neurodegenerative pathologies.
GRANTS COORDINATION
-PRIN PNRR 2022 P2022JBF5T “Alzheimer's disease diagnosis using blood platelets as a circulating mirror of neurons”.
-PNRR MNESYS 2022, A multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease - PE00000006, CUP: F78H22000660002. Spoke 6 - NEURODEGENERATION, TRAUMA AND STROKE.
-2023-2024 Pulsed electromagnetic fields as a novel strategy to fight “inflammaging” in Alzheimer’s Disease. IGEA SpA, Carpi, (MO).
-2021-2022 Pulsed electromagnetic fields as a novel strategy to fight “inflammaging” in Alzheimer’s Disease. IGEA SpA, Carpi, (MO).
-PRIN 2017, 20175SA5JJ005 “Exploiting the EndoCannabinoid System to control inflammation and promote neuroprotection and myelin repair (ExECS)”. (PI Ferrara Unit).
-2019-Local funds (FIR) from University of Ferrara.
-2017-Italian funds FFABR from IT-Ministry of Health and University.
-2017-Local funds (FIR) from University of Ferrara.
-2016-today Local funds (FAR) from University of Ferrara.
-PRIN 2009, 2009FYMCL4 IT-Ministry of Health and University Research Program. “Pharmacological and functional characterization of adenosine receptors in human foam cells, a model of atherosclerosis.” Duration 24 months.
-PRIN 2007, 2007W9NBYH. IT-Ministry of Health and University Research Program. “The A3 adenosine receptor: a potential target for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of colorectal cancer.” Duration 24 months.
-PRIN 2005, 2005059314_002. IT-Ministry of Health and University Research Program “Deorphanising new purine G-protein-coupled receptors: pharmacological and biochemical characterization in heterologous expression systems and native cells.” Duration 24 months.
-Project Young investigators, University of Ferrara, 2001- “A3 adenosine receptors and inflammation: a pharmacological and biochemical study in human neutrophils”.
-Project Young investigators, University of Ferrara, 2000- “Pharmacological, biochemical and functional characterization of A3 adenosine receptors in Jurkat cells and human lymphocytes”.
AWARDS
-Price "Alberico Benedicenti", for the italian pharmacologist with the best scientific production in 2004-2005
-Best oral communication at the 8th International Symposium on Adenosine & Adenine Nucleotides, Ferrara May 24-28, 2006
-3°Award Research Festival, Edition 2012, University of Ferrara
MEMBERSHIP OF MAIN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
Member of the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF)
Member of the Purine Club
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Teaching activity in the context of three-year and master's degree courses at the University of Ferrara, Italy.
Teaching activity in the context of post-graduate study courses at the University of Ferrara, Italy.
Member of the Academic Board of the PhD Program in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Ferrara.
INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES
2016-2022 Member of the Research Council of the University of Ferrara
2019-today Head of Centralized Laboratory for Preclinical Research, University of Ferrara
2022-today Member of the Research Council and Third Mission of the University of Ferrara
2020-today Member of Research and Third Mission commission of the Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara
STEFANIA GESSI
PLACE AND BIRTH DATE
Ferrara, October 13, 1969
PRESENT POSITION
Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara.
EDUCATION
24/01/2000- PhD in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Ferrara
14/03/1994- Doctor degree in Biology Summa cum Laude, University of Ferrara, Italy
TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
1995: Research Fellowship funded by Consorzio Ferrara Ricerche, title of the project “Cellular and molecular pharmacology of A2A adenosine receptors”, supervisor Prof. Pier Andrea Borea, at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Pharmacology section, University of Ferrara.
1995-1999: PhD student in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Ferrara.
1997-1998: Training at Schering Plough Research Institute, San Raffaele Biomedical Science Park, Milan, Italy, supervisor Dr. Ennio Ongini.
1999: Training at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Section of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm), supervisor Prof. Bertil Fredholm.
2000-2016: Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Unit, University of Ferrara.
2016-present: Associate Professor at the Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara.
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: 180
Total citations: >9000 (Source: Scopus)
h-index: 59
Book chapters: 19
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2197-5611
Member of Top Italian Scientists
Invited as speaker at national and international meetings
RESEARCH TOPICS
-Thermodynamic characterization of drug-receptor interaction in rat cortex or cell cultures expressing endogenous or transfected GPCRs receptors. These studies highlight the driving mechanisms underlying the drug-receptor complex, as well as the behavior of agonists and antagonists.
-In vitro pharmacological and biochemical characterization of drug-receptor interactions, second messengers, signal transduction and molecular pathways that control survival/apoptosis/inflammation/neurodegeneration.
-Identification of circulating biomarkers in patients suffering from disabling diseases for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
-Studies of molecular pathways modulation by purinergic signaling. Focus on adenosine receptors as novel drug targets in inflammation and neurodegeneration.
-Studies for the characterization of new natural extracts in neurodegeneration.
-Studies of medical devices such as pulsed electromagnetic fields able to increase the efficacy of therapies in neurodegenerative pathologies.
GRANTS COORDINATION
-PRIN PNRR 2022 P2022JBF5T “Alzheimer's disease diagnosis using blood platelets as a circulating mirror of neurons”.
-PNRR MNESYS 2022, A multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease - PE00000006, CUP: F78H22000660002. Spoke 6 - NEURODEGENERATION, TRAUMA AND STROKE.
-2023-2024 Pulsed electromagnetic fields as a novel strategy to fight “inflammaging” in Alzheimer’s Disease. IGEA SpA, Carpi, (MO).
-2021-2022 Pulsed electromagnetic fields as a novel strategy to fight “inflammaging” in Alzheimer’s Disease. IGEA SpA, Carpi, (MO).
-PRIN 2017, 20175SA5JJ005 “Exploiting the EndoCannabinoid System to control inflammation and promote neuroprotection and myelin repair (ExECS)”. (PI Ferrara Unit).
-2019-Local funds (FIR) from University of Ferrara.
-2017-Italian funds FFABR from IT-Ministry of Health and University.
-2017-Local funds (FIR) from University of Ferrara.
-2016-today Local funds (FAR) from University of Ferrara.
-PRIN 2009, 2009FYMCL4 IT-Ministry of Health and University Research Program. “Pharmacological and functional characterization of adenosine receptors in human foam cells, a model of atherosclerosis.” Duration 24 months.
-PRIN 2007, 2007W9NBYH. IT-Ministry of Health and University Research Program. “The A3 adenosine receptor: a potential target for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of colorectal cancer.” Duration 24 months.
-PRIN 2005, 2005059314_002. IT-Ministry of Health and University Research Program “Deorphanising new purine G-protein-coupled receptors: pharmacological and biochemical characterization in heterologous expression systems and native cells.” Duration 24 months.
-Project Young investigators, University of Ferrara, 2001- “A3 adenosine receptors and inflammation: a pharmacological and biochemical study in human neutrophils”.
-Project Young investigators, University of Ferrara, 2000- “Pharmacological, biochemical and functional characterization of A3 adenosine receptors in Jurkat cells and human lymphocytes”.
AWARDS
-Price "Alberico Benedicenti", for the italian pharmacologist with the best scientific production in 2004-2005
-Best oral communication at the 8th International Symposium on Adenosine & Adenine Nucleotides, Ferrara May 24-28, 2006
-3°Award Research Festival, Edition 2012, University of Ferrara
MEMBERSHIP OF MAIN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
Member of the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF)
Member of the Purine Club
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Teaching activity in the context of three-year and master's degree courses at the University of Ferrara, Italy.
Teaching activity in the context of post-graduate study courses at the University of Ferrara, Italy.
Member of the Academic Board of the PhD Program in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Ferrara.
INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES
2016-2022 Member of the Research Council of the University of Ferrara
2019-today Head of Centralized Laboratory for Preclinical Research, University of Ferrara
2022-today Member of the Research Council and Third Mission of the University of Ferrara
2020-today Member of Research and Third Mission commission of the Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara
