Clinical Molecular Biologist | Translational Researcher in Hematologic Malignancies | Multiple Myeloma & Precision Medicine
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Translational scientist with 10+ years of experience in hematologic malignancies, with a primary focus on Multiple Myeloma genomic evolution, minimal residual disease (MRD), and precision medicine approaches.
Expert in liquid biopsy, next-generation sequencing, single-cell technologies, immunophenotyping and AI-driven genomic analysis, actively involved in international consortia and European projects integrating genomics and artificial intelligence in hematology.
Award-winning investigator, associate editor, and member of major international scientific societies (EHA, AACR, EACR).
CURRENT POSITION
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Institute of Hematology and Oncologic Sciences “L. & A. Seràgnoli”
University of Bologna – IRCCS S. Orsola, Bologna
Laboratory of Molecular Biology – Prof. Elena Zamagni
- Translational research in lymphoproliferative disorders, with emphasis on Multiple Myeloma
- Genomic and immunophenotypic characterization of disease
- Development and application of MRD monitoring strategies
- Implementation of liquid biopsy platforms
- Integration of artificial intelligence tools for molecular stratification and disease monitoring
- Active participation in European clinical trials and multicenter research initiatives
PREVIOUS ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2023–2025 – Fixed-term Researcher (SSD MEDS-09/B)
DIMEC – University of Bologna
2019 – Post-Doctoral Fellow – AIRC IG-2019
Project: “StreaMMing: dynamics of Multiple Myeloma minimal residual disease in peripheral blood”
2017–2018 – Post-Doctoral Fellow
Project: Plasma cell differentiation and Hedgehog pathway in Multiple Myeloma
2015–2016 – Post-Doctoral Fellow
Project: High-resolution molecular characterization of Acute Myeloid Leukemia toward precision medicine
2014 – Post-Doctoral Fellow
Project: Clonal evolution in Multiple Myeloma and genomic ecosystem characterization
EDUCATION
2017-2018: International II level Master on Nutrition and Diet at Università delle Marche
Thesis title: “Influence of diet on the composition of gut microbiota and its implications in cancer”.
Tutor: Prof. Battino M.
2016: Visiting fellow at Dana Farber Cancer Center (Boston, MA)
Selected scientist at the “Translational Workshop for Basic Scientists” organized by AACR, and
visiting fellow at Dana Farber Cancer Center and Massachussets General Hospital in Boston
2011-2013: PhD in Biomedical Sciences at University of Bologna
Thesis title: “The search for Multiple Myeloma Stem Cells: molecular characterization and self
renewal mechanisms involved in the disease persistence”. Tutor: Prof. Martinelli G.
2008-2010: Master degree cum laude in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at University
of Bologna
Thesis title: “Molecular characterization of CD138+ tumoral plasma cells of newly diagnosed
patients with Multiple Myeloma by SNP array”. Tutor: Prof. Capranico G
2003-2008: Bachelor degree in Molecular Biotechnology at University of Bologna
Thesis title: “Development of a DNA microarray for the characterization of human gut microbiota”.
Tutor: Prof. Brigidi P.
COMPETITIVE FUNDED PROJECTS
PRIN 2022 – RandoMMness: Spatial heterogeneity of Multiple Myeloma unveiled by liquid biopsy
EU Project – GENOMED4ALL: AI-driven genomics for personalized medicine in hematological diseases
EU Grant n. 101172872: Synthetic data framework for AI validation in healthcare
AIRC-IG2018 – MRD dynamics in Multiple Myeloma
AIRC-IG2014 – Treatment strategies and intra-clonal heterogeneity in MM
BERLUCCHI 2014 – Development of MM molecular panel for patient stratification
HONOURS and AWARDS
Registered to the FNOB – Federazione Nazionale Ordine Biologi (n. AA084102) since 2020
Member of EHA2026 Scientific Program Committee Advisory Board (SPC-AB)
Participation to international and national congresses as a speaker
Author, co-author and reviewer for international scientific journals
Comment on a scientific paper for FAD Blood online.it (January 2024)
Associate editor for Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics - specialty section of Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences since 2024
Guest editor of PLOS ONE Editorial Board since 2023
2021 IMS Young Investigator Award for Exemplary Abstract, IMW 2021, Wien
2019 ASH abstract achievement award, 61stASH Annual Meeting, Orlando
2019 EHA Travel grant - 24thEuropean Hematology Congress, Amsterdam
2019 Early Career Award - 2ndHow to Diagnose and Treat Myeloma, Berlin
2018 EHA Travel grant - 23thEuropean Hematology Congress, Stockholm
2015 Rising Star award at the 15thInternational Myeloma Workshop, Rome
2014 AACR-Pezcoller Foundation Scholar-in-Training Award at AACR Meeting, San Diego
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
Member of European Society of Cancer Research (EACR) since 2020, Member of Italian Society of Hematology (SIE and SIES) since 2011, Member of European Hematology Association (EHA) since 2012, Associate Member of American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) since 2012
EXTRA-ACADEMIC EDUCATION
2025 Selected scientist at EHATiFPreceptorship on Precision Hematology in Homburg, Germany
2025 Last GCP R3 training: 03/09/2025
2018 Training promoted by Cytognos “Analysis of MM MRD samples using the EuroFlow NGF methodology” - Policlinico S. Orsola – Malpighi, Bologna
2016 Training course “R for basic users”, Università Studi Milano - Bicocca
2014 Training course “Flow citometry: methods and applications”, Policlinico S. Orsola – Malpighi, Bologna
2014 Training course “Introduction to the System Biology” – Corso Alta Formazione, Università dell’Insubria, Prof M. Fasano
2010 Art&Science Workshop – in collaboration with Fondazione Marino Golinelli and MaMbo – Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Bologna
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Genomics & Molecular Biology
- Next-Generation Sequencing (Illumina, Ion Torrent, Oxford Nanopore)
- Whole Genome & Whole Exome Sequencing
- Targeted gene panels
- Single-cell sequencing
- Immunosequencing (Adaptive ClonoSEQ)
- SNP array & gene expression microarrays
- Digital PCR & quantitative RT-PCR
Disease Monitoring
- Minimal Residual Disease (NGS-based & EuroFlow NGF)
- Liquid biopsy platforms
Computational & Analytical
- Bioinformatic analysis of genomic data
- AI integration in genomics
- R (basic level)
TEACHING & EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
National Scientific Habilitation on 05/E3 - BIOCHIMICA CLINICA E BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE CLINICA until 14/03/2037
Faculty Member – Master in “Management del paziente con Mieloma Multiplo” (University of Turin, since 2019)
Faculty in educational programs sponsored by Takeda, BMS, Sanofi, Janssen, GSK
A.A.: 2018/2019: Teaching on a behalf of Prof. Zamagni E. during the course “Genetica Onco ematologica e delle emopatie” SSD: MED15
A.A.2024/2025, A.A. 2025/2026: FISIOLOGIA UMANA C. I. [cod. 31360] - FISIOLOGIA DEGLI ORGANI E DEGLI APPARATI [cod. 30766] - [Modulo 2]
