Staff VisMederi
The people we employ. With their expertise and experience, they make VisMederi a young, dynamic and innovative company. We are talking about a human capital of competent and motivated women and men, which over the years has grown and strengthened thanks to new highly technically and scientifically specialized professionals. The two main business areas – vaccines and food industry, safety and environment – are supported by an administrative area for all research activities. The high profile of the working group is one of the strengths of VisMederi, which chose to bet on young people and to enhance their talent to grow and successfully enter new markets.
Financial Department /Administrative Office
Simone Paletti - Chief Financial Officer / Head Administrative Officer
He studied Business Administration at the Faculty of Economics “Richard M. Goodwin” in Siena, earning his Bachelor’s Degree with a thesis on International Accounting, research theme on methodological aspects and problems of the adoption of IAS / IFRS Accounting Standards for SMEs. While studying Management and Governance at the Department of Business and Legal Studies at the University of Siena, he gained experience on the field in a Business Consultant Studio. He obtained his Master’s Degree with a graduation thesis on the business model that characterizes the start-up phase of companies in the Life Sciences cluster. He has been working in VisMederi since March 2014, dealing with Corporate Finance and Management Control. From January 2015 to June 2016, he became a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Since April 2016, he is the Head of the Corporate Finance Area.
Luna Doretti - Accounting Officer
Luna graduated in Business and Economics at the “Richard M. Goodwin” Faculty of Economics in Siena with the thesis “The glass ceiling” in 2013. Then, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Management and Governance at the University of Siena, discussing her thesis entitled “The tax monitoring” in 2016. During her studies, she worked as an Assistant Accountant for 4 years and, after that, she improved her skills working in the Business Administration Department for various companies.
Belinda Carnasciali - Purchasing Officer
She graduated from the Faculty of Literature and Philosophy at the University of Siena in 2001. After graduating, she was hired as a Commercial Officer for Tuscany in an international company specialized in document management and workflow solutions for companies and the Public Administration. After several years, she went back to work with a company in the Biotechnology sector in Siena as an Administrative Assistant, essentially following the entire process of reporting on EU Projects. In 2011, she was hired by a qualified company to provide Payments and Business Services, managing the Administrative Office. In July 2018, she has joined the administrative staff of VisMederi, where she currently deals with the management of Suppliers and the Purchasing Department, following the entire process, according to the ISO9001:08 standards, from the estimate request to the issue of the Purchase Order, until receipt and storage of the shipping documents and the corresponding invoice.
Maura Martini - Purchasing Officer and Administrative Assistant
Maura graduated in Foreign Languages and Literatures, Linguistics curriculum, at the University of Siena in 2004. In 2020 she obtained a further University Degree in Psychological Sciences and Techniques, Social, Work and Organizational Psychology curriculum at the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Florence. After finishing her first step studies, she worked in qualified import\export companies in Tuscany as an employee in the foreign commercial office. In 2005 she was hired by a renowned pharmaceutical company where she worked for ten years as an Executive Assistant dedicated to the top management. In 2015 she moved abroad managing her own wellness centre company, and, coming back to Italy after one year, she started working in the tourism field with her own rental apartments. Since February 2020 she has been working at Vismederi S.r.l. as an Administrative Assistant supporting the top management with their day-by-day activities, providing support with external guests also during company meetings and events, and helping the company staff with their daily administrative needs.
Human Resources Department
Giulia Addolorati - Human Resources Manager
Giulia graduated in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation at the University for Foreigners in Siena. During her studies, she has always worked in the Administration, Tourism and Translation sectors. In 2010, she was awarded with a fellowship on the topic “Implementation of Capacity Building Processes at Navrongo Health Research Centre in Ghana” performed at the University of Siena, Department of Physiopathology, Experimental Medicine, Public Health, under the supervision of Prof. Emanuele Montomoli, mainly performing translations, supplying process management and linguistic support. She has been working for VisMederi since 2011. She firstly started as a Specialist Administrative Assistant, then, in April 2016, she was promoted to Head of Administrative and Human Resources Office. She became responsible for Administrative Process Supervision in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standard and for the Company’s Human Resources practices management. In December 2021, Giulia joined VisMederi Holding Srl where she holds the position of Human Resources Office Manager for all the companies belonging to the corporate group. She is currently in charge of managing the processes and practices related to Human Resources, including job postings, interviewing, hiring, resignation and dismissal. She is responsible for the activation of internships and apprenticeships, administrative procedure revision, consultants and external collaborators contract management. She is the Company’s labour consultant reference person and she is in charge of the tracking and processing management concerning the monthly attendance software. She also supports the Direction in managing career advancement, compensation policies and staff development plans.
Communication Department
Sara Pugliese - Internal & External Communication
Sara studied at the University of Siena. In 2007, she graduated in Literature and Philosophy, Curriculum of Sciences of the Historical and Artistic Heritage with final grades of 110/110 with honors. She carried out a stage for research purposes at the Commission for the Historic, Artistic and Ethno-Anthropological Heritage of Siena and Grosseto. After this experience, she moved to Milan where she worked for two years at a travel agency and, afterwards, she moved to Florence where she continued working in the field of tourism. In 2011, she returned to Siena, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant first at a Business Consultant Office and later at a Law Office. In February 2013, she started working as an Administrative Assistant at VisMederi Srl in the position of Junior Specialist. Currently Sara is Responsible for VisMederi Communication, taking care of promoting and spreading the Company’s identity, in line with the image and the management strategy as well as with budget items and costs. She coordinates the selection of information channels, organizes sponsorship, maintains and strengthens relations with institutions, organizations and media. She is also involved in writing press releases, texts for corporate advertising and corporate representation documentation. She manages the Social Channels (Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook) and the web site of the Company that she frequently updates with the insertion of news related to the activities of VisMederi at a national and an international level. She organizes events such as press conferences, meetings and conventions. Furthermore, she is mainly involved in managing Sponsors visits and Audits organization, in the management of enterprise business travels and of enrolment meetings, conferences and seminars and in the administrative issues concerning receipt and shipping of viruses and samples.
Legal Department
Margherita Turillazzi - The Legal
In 2015, she graduated from the Faculty of Law with a thesis in Tax Law entitled “Tax Aspects of Reverse Merger. Analysis of a practical case.” The same year, after graduation, she carried out a five-month study experience in Australia and, just after this experience, she started working at a law firm in Siena. In 2018, she received her Master’s Degree Level II-CMU2 in Corporate Law from 24Ore Business School. In January 2019, she moved to Modena, where she worked at a law firm specializing in corporate law, before returning to Siena in March 2020. In the same month, she began working at VisMederi where she was in charge of managing legal affairs, particularly the conclusion and review of contracts with international Sponsors. Since December 2021 she has joined VisMederi Holding where she manages the contractual relationships of all VisMederi Group companies.
Quality Department
Fabio Vedovi - Head of Quality
Fabio graduated with honours in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies at the University of Urbino specializing in the field of Computational Drug Discovery at the CDD-CDR of the University of Helsinki. In 2016, he began his career joining the Aseptic Operations of GSK Vaccines in Siena as a Quality Assurance Expert.
At the end of 2018, he decided to move to Pediatrica srl as a Medical Advisor and one year later, thanks to its positive results, he advanced to Business Development Manager for Central Italy. In the meanwhile, he attended the “Development and Enhancement of Human Resources” Master Executive Course at LUISS Business School in Rome. In 2020, he caught the opportunity to join VisMederi with the position of Scientist for the High Containment Functional Assays – UNIT, performing SARS CoV-2 Virus Neutralization Tests (VNT) within BSL3 laboratories and specializing in other serological techniques.
Since July 2021, he has been appointed Specimen Manager and LIMS Administrator.
Since February 2022 he has been Head of Quality.Irene Marzocchi - Quality Specialist and Archivist
After graduating at a Scientific High School, Irene began her job career working in GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines as a Training Unit Expert and a QA Technician for Data Entry projects in 2016. After that experience, from 2017 to 2019, she joined the Product Release and Archive Management Department, where she developed relevant knowledge about the pharmaceutical industry. Always in 2019, she worked in the management of Pharmaceutical Technical Complaints for the same company. She began working at Galenica Senese at the beginning of 2021, in the fields of Quality Assurance and Materials Management, expanding her knowledge about quality and materials in use at chemical-pharmaceutical companies. Finally, she decided to test herself and her skills one more time, catching the opportunity to join VisMederi in the position of Quality Assistant at the end of 2021.
Celeste Lecce - Quality Specialist
Celeste is passionate about chemistry and everything related to science in general. After three years of experience in the faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies at the University of Siena, she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Science, with a thesis in Biological Chemistry on a structural bioinformatics investigation on protein-DNA interaction. During her studies she became a student representative and worked as a university tutor in the department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy. After her Bachelor’s Degree, she enrolled in a Master’s program in Chemistry and she also completed a training course obtaining the qualification of “Technician in the activities of assessing the quality of raw materials, semi-finished products, finished pharmaceutical products, water and environment” at Eurobic Toscana Sud S.r.l. Now she is waiting to complete her Master’s Degree. Meanwhile, after an internship at VisMederi S.r.l, she has joined the staff as an “Assistant of the Quality Department”.
Jasmine Ercoli - Quality for Facilities
Jasmine graduated in Pharmacy at the University of Siena in 2017. Her graduation thesis was based on the study of a new treatment for Cerebral Cavernous Malformation, a rare disease of the central nervous system. In the same laboratory she obtained a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2020, studying the involvement of oxidative stress and inflammation in cancer and through an international experience at PHHI, Plants for Human Health Institute in North Carolina (USA). This academic experience allowed her to acquire several molecular and cell culture techniques. After a year as a Research Technician in the VisMederi’s team, she has currently joined the Facility Group as a Quality Assistant.
Facilities Department
Giacomo Martini - Site Manager
After his High School Diploma, he enrolled in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the University of Siena, where he had the chance to take part into an internship program aimed at improving the studies on pollution. After this internship, he worked for several firms where he developed organizational and control skills on impact and environmental safety. In 2011, he began to work for Pharmaceutical Firms, first in Novartis and after in Kedrion Biopharma, in the field of flu vaccines, as a Quality Controller. He supervised the whole vaccine packaging process, ensuring high-standard quality on Health and Safety. Since February 2016, he has been working in VisMederi, as a Logistics Coordinator and Responsible for storage operations.
Marco Bellini - Facilities Officer
After obtaining his High School Diploma of Accountant and Business Consultant, he worked as Head of Finance and Administrative Office and Head of Human Resources Office in firms operating in the building industry. Subsequently, he was Manager of the same companies, with particular focus on the recovery and restoration both of civil buildings and assets with significant historical and artistic interest. Since June 2018, he has been working in VisMederi as a Technician.
Gaia Martelli - Equipment maintenance
Gaia graduated as a Tourist Operator at Istituto Professionale Caselli in 2015. After graduating she spent three months in Jerez de la Frontera as an Erasmus+ working student at the City Hall of Jerez as an Archivist and a Translator of tourism documentation. After her experience abroad she returned to Siena where she started working at GlaxoSmithKline as an Aseptic Operator and Formulator during the production of vaccines against meningococcus for serotypes A, C, We Y and B. In that context, she gained extensive and specific knowledge in the pharmaceutical field working in GMP and in sterile areas. Gaia has joined the Facilities Team of VisMederi at the beginning of 2022: here she deals with the maintenance of equipment and chemical and biological reagents present in the laboratories.
Vithor Henrique Juliatto - Logistic
After finishing high school in Belo Horizonte-Brazil, he started a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Curitiba University in Brazil while gaining experience as a sales intern in his hometown Curitiba. Now living in Italy, he’s attending the Faculty of Economics at the University of Siena. His international experience helped him develop strong communication skills, being fluent in Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. His current position at Vismederi is related to logistic operations.
Andrea Sortino - Logistic
Andrea obtained his Diploma as a Surveyor in 2009. In 2014, he worked as a Warehouse Operator for a service company in Livorno. After that, he focused mainly on the nautical field (private yachts) working firstly as a seaman, then as a boatswain and as a co-worker at NCA – The Italian Sea Group S.p.A shipyard. During this period, he acquired important logistic and managerial competencies. Currently, he is a member of the VisMederi’s group, as a Warehouse Operator.
Specimen Department
Simone Romeo- Specimen Coordinator
After graduating as an Industrial Chemical Expert at Tito Sarrocchi Technical Institute in Siena in 2016, he worked as a Bacteriological Operator at GlaxoSmithKline for the production of vaccines against meningococcus B. Then he worked at Istituto de Angeli in Reggello with the role of Solid Manufacturing Operator. In October 2021 he joined VisMederi where he became Specimen Coordinator in February 2022.
Emir Hodza- Specimen Operator
Emir obtained his High School Diploma at “Istituto Professionale Marconi” of Siena in 2015 with a specialization in Mechanics. During his work experience he has gained very good practical expertise in manual operations as well as in logistics operations, first working in vulcanising services and then in the construction industry. He has joined Vismederi since August 2021 to be part of the Sera Management Team, where his main duties are: shipping operations, sera Quality Check and storage, LIMS recording, documentation following the GCP and sample testing collection, as well as logistics activities.
Tancredi Manenti- Specimen Operator
Tancredi graduated at the Tito Sarrocchi Scientific High School in Siena. Shortly after, in 2020, he worked as a Laboratory Technician performing microbiological physicochemical analyses for VisMederi Life Sciences. He started working in the Specimen Management Team of VisMederi in 2021.
Diagnostic Department
Licia Vitale - Project Director
Licia Vitale is graduated in biomedical laboratory techniques and in master degree of Medical Biotechnology. After the awarding of the first degree, she started to work in multinational Bayer Biologicals Ltd as laboratory operator and later as a quality control operator (from 2005 to 2008). After an instructive experience in the company, she decided to continue her studies and in 2009 she started her collaboration with the Molecular Epidemiology group of the University of Siena as a PhD student in Molecular Medicine In 2010, she moved to the newborn VisMederi s.r.l. where she completed her PhD. Her studies were focused on vaccines development. In particular she was involved in many clinical trials for pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines and on the typing of Meningococcal bacteria for anti MenB vaccine. She is involved in serological assays as Microneutralization, SRH and ELISA test.Costanza Fondelli - Scientist
Costanza Fondelli studied at the University of Siena and she graduated in Biotechnology (B.Sc.). She worked as a Laboratory Technician in several pharmaceutical companies such as: GSK Vaccines, Exosomics Spa, SienaBiotech Spa and Chiron Vaccines. She has a background in proteomic analysis, immunological assay, maintenance of cell cultures and molecular biology techniques. She took part in various European projects and she was a co-author of several scientific papers for international journals. In GSK Vaccines, she performed laboratory activities on analytical method validation for FDA Commitment and routine testing for Vaccine Quality Control. She acquired good knowledge in the field of GMP Quality Control Regulations. She is currently working as a Research Technician in VisMederi.
Ginevra Marzucchi - Scientist
Ginevra obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Science in 2014 at the University of Siena and continued her specialization with a Master’s Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, achieved in 2016. During her Master’s Degree, she spent six months at Ruprecht Karls Universität of Heidelberg, in Germany as an Erasmus student in Molecular Biosciences. In 2017, she won the International Soldera Case Basse Award for Young Researchers and she obtained the qualification to practice her profession as a biologist the same year. From 2017 to 2019, she worked at Glaxosmitkline – GSK (in Siena) where she took part in the AS&T Team working as a lab technician on analytical method validation for an FDA commitment (mainly on colorimetric, chromatographic and ELISA assay methods). She worked in compliance with GMPs and company SOPs and supported Quality Control activities.
Since October 2019, she has been working in Vismederi where she is currently involved in the development and execution of serological assay (ELISA-based MICRONEUTRALIZATION ASSAY) for the immunogenicity evaluation of Influenza Vaccines.Francesco Bellucci - Scientist
Francesco obtained his Master’s Degree with honours in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Siena in April 2020. During his thesis internship, he was mainly involved in the application of ecotoxicological biomarkers to bioindicator organisms. In particular, his Master’s thesis was about the application of non-destructive biomarkers of genotoxicity, oxidative stress and immunotoxicity, to biological samples from Caretta caretta sea turtle specimens. In November 2020 he qualified as a Biologist. Since June 2021, he has been carrying out an apprenticeship as a Research Operator in VisMederi’s Laboratories; in addition, he is currently performing COVID-19 swab tests.
Marta Losi - Nurse
Marta obtained her high school Diploma from the Monna Agnese Institute in Siena specializing in “Health Biotechnology”. In 2021, she graduated in Nursing Sciences at the University of Siena with a grade of 110/110 cum laude. She worked for four months at a Medically Assisted Reproduction Centre in Siena, deepening her knowledge of nursing in the gynaecological-obstetrics field, perioperative assistance and preparation for MAP, use of the ultrasound system, collection of biological samples. She then worked in the Covid Department at the Sienese University Hospital collaborating with other professional figures in the management of critically ill patients suffering from Coronavirus. She is currently enrolled in a 1st Level Master in “Management for coordination functions in the area of health professions”. Since March 2022, she has been working at VisMederi where she performs biological samples and nasopharyngeal swabs for the diagnosis of Covid-19.
Statistic and Data Analysis Department
Pietro Piu - Data Manager
Pietro obtained his University Degree in Statistical and Economic Sciences at the University of Siena (1992) with a thesis on econometric models for the analysis of company efficiency. After some experience as a consultant in the tertiary sector, his interest in scientific research led him to the collaboration (2000-2002) at the LIASA university spin-off (Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Applied Statistics). He took part in the implementation of data mining techniques and artificial neural networks for the construction of a pilot model of internal ranking for an Italian bank according to the rules of prudential supervision provided by the “Basel 2” agreement. His statistical activity continued at the Department of Medical, Surgical and Neuroscience of the University of Siena, where he applied and developed methods for the classification of data and the provision of data structures. In 2012, he obtained a Ph.D. degree in Applied Neurological Sciences – Neurosciences presenting a diffusive model of the neuronal activity involved in decision-making processes. Subsequently, he continued research in neuroscience at EVALab (Eye-tracking Visual Application Laboratory) of the Department of Medical, Surgical and Neuroscience of the University of Siena, gaining further practice in the analysis of complex phenomena in both temporal and frequency domains. He contributed to studies on neuropathology and on cognitive functions such as perception, attention and memory related to the activity of the neuronal system that presides over eye movements. In 2018, he joined the VisMederi’s team as a Data Analyst, bringing his experience and skills in data management and analysis.
Claudia Semplici - Data Assistant
Claudia graduated in Mathematical Sciences at the University of Siena in December 2019. She then obtained a Master’s Degree with Honours in Statistical Sciences for Sample Surveys at the University of Siena in December 2021. After graduating, Claudia worked as a Data Scientist for a real estate data analysis company. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since June 2022 and she currently works there as a Data Assistant.
Laboratory Department
Silvia Grappi - Project Director - University Partnership
Silvia Grappi studied at the University of Siena and she graduated in Biotechnologies in 2006. From 1999 to 2006, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Siena, under the supervision of Prof. A. Tagliamonte (Department of Neurosciences), where she studied the neurochemical, immunocitochemical, and behavioural changes associated to drug addiction, depression, and appetitive behaviour in animal models. She also studied animal models of obesity and relative potentially antidiabetic drugs. From 2002 to 2004, she worked at the Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg (France) as Research Engineer where she studied the characterization and the link between mu receptors and depression. She obtained her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine, (Department of Neurosciences) in 2010. Her research focused on the characterization of dopaminergic transmission in feeding behaviour. From 2010 to 2012, she carried out a Post Doc under the supervision of Prof. E. Montomoli. (Dept. of Physiopathology Experimental Medicine and Public Health). Throughout this time, she studied the immunogenicity of influenza vaccines. She was the author and co-author of several scientific papers for international journals. In September 2012, she joined VisMederi, a highly qualified enterprise in the field of Research and Life Sciences, where she was involved in several serological activities. She also conducted a project for the characterization of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strains. Currently, she is a Principal Scientist, and she is the main contact for a global leader company in the vaccine field. She is Project Leader of an important research project on the efficacy of flu-vaccine.Giulia Piccini - Project Director - Translational Research
Graduated in Biotechnology (Bsc) in 2011 and in Medical Biotechnologies (Msc) in 2013 at the University of Siena, she caught the opportunity to join Vismederi Siena in 2012, where she has been working since then as Scientist and currently as Translational Research Leader. Within the company she acquired deep knowledge of the development and standardization of cell-based and cell-free assays to evaluate the immunogenicity of vaccines against viral and bacterial diseases (primarily influenza, Covid-19, meningitis and salmonellosis), working both in the context of research projects and clinical/pre-clinical studies. In 2020, she received the PhD in Life Sciences at the University of Siena, with a study focused on the implementation of pseudotypes-based assays to quantify the antibody response against the influenza neuraminidase. During the years of PhD research, she also successfully completed the Executive Master in Project Management, certified by the QUEC company (Florence) and accredited by the National Council of Engineers; and obtained the international certificate in “Laboratory Animal Sciences”, through a specialized course provided by the IBMC institute of Porto (Portugal) accredited by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Sciences Association (FELASA category C of directive 2010/63/EU). Since the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, she is being engaged in the “MAbCo19” project, a study focused on the identification and characterization of neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from Italian Covid-19 convalescent patients. She is author and co-author of scientific articles published in international journals, particularly aimed at promoting the dissemination of knowledge of invasive meningitis and salmonellosis, as well as at discovery of mAbs against SARS-CoV-2.
Luisa Ganfini - Project Director
Luisa Ganfini obtained her Bachelor in Biotechnology in 2010 at the University of Siena and continued her studies with an MS degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, achieved in 2013. During her MS degree, she completed a six-month thesis internship at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. In 2014, she started her PhD in Biomolecular Sciences with the University of Trento, in collaboration with Externautics spa (until May 2016) and with Toscana Life Sciences (TLS) in Siena, during which she was involved in an ERC (European Research Council) Project, completed at the end of 2017. Upon completion of her PhD, she obtained a Post-Doc position through the University of Trento, CIBIO (Centre for Integrative Biology) in collaboration with TLS (Toscana Life Science), completed in June 2018. Since mid-June 2018, she has joined the VisMederi’s team where has been improving her competences working on serological tests for the evaluation of immunogenicity in vaccines.
Elena Gianchecchi - Project Director
Elena graduated with 110 cum laude in Biology (BSc) and Health Biology (MD) at the University of Siena in 2006 and 2008 respectively. She obtained a PhD in Biomedicine and Immunological Science at the University of Siena working on the involvement of adenosine and cannabinoid systems in dermal fibrosis. During her PhD, she spent 4 months at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, which allowed her to confirm in vivo the results previously obtained in vitro and to obtain the title of Doctor Europaeus in May 2012. Between 2012 and 2013 she worked as a Post Doc at the Autoimmunity Laboratory of Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (Vatican City, Rome). In November 2014 she joined VisMederi working as a Scientist. More specifically, she is involved in the management of all the activities necessary for the conduction of experiments and analyses of the results obtained from vaccine clinical trials in terms of cellular mediated and humoral immune responses for the evaluation of vaccine immunogenicity. She is also involved in writing and reviewing scientific papers, study protocols, release and stability reports, SOPs, investigations, validation protocols and reports. So far, she has 32 scientific publications regarding infectious diseases, vaccinations and autoimmunity published on international journals and she is first author in 23 of them. Since 01/01/2021 she has joined the VisMederi srl team in the role of Quality Control Manager.
Martina Monti - Project Director
She studied at the University of Siena where, in 2004, she obtained her Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies and, in 2009, her PhD in Molecular Medicine with the Certification of Doctor Europaeus (European PhD) as she spent some time at the Helmholtz Centre for Infectious Diseases in Braunschweig, Germany, and at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. She started her career studying the pharmacology of angiogenesis and endothelial functionality, acquiring remarkable skills in the field of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo methods necessary to study the cellular, molecular and biochemical aspects of the angiogenic process. She is author and co-author of several scientific papers published on international journals. In 2017, she moved to the laboratory of Prof Montomoli at the University of Siena as a Post Doc and, in 2018, to VisMederi, where she acquired new skills in the field of the study of immunogenicity and efficacy of new influenza vaccines through serological tests. Moreover, she obtained considerable skills in the study of cell mediated immunity response. She is currently a Scientist and Unit Manager at VisMederi.
Carolina Bonifazi - Project Director Attendant
Carolina obtained her Master’s Degree in Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy in 2016 with full marks at the University of Siena. She carried out a dissertation internship on analytical techniques like capillary electrophoresis and HPLC at the National Research Council of Italy in Monterotondo (Rome). In 2017 she obtained an internship in Quality Assurance Department in a pharmaceutical company. During this time, she acquired knowledge of the control and efficiency of the company’s quality systems. In June 2018 she started an internship in VisMederi, dealing with serological assays for clinical trials on influenza (neutralization assay, ELISA assay and Real Time PCR). In October 2019 she started her PhD programme in VisMederi in collaboration with the University of Siena. She is currently dealing with the development and validation of bioanalytical methods for the registration of new vaccines and she is involved in managing laboratory activities for low bio-containment assays.
Jean-Louis Excler - Program Manager, New initiatives
Dr. Jean-Louis Excler is Pediatrician and Vaccinologist. He worked several years in Africa. Since 1991, he has been working extensively for the past 29 years on HIV vaccine clinical development as Head of the HIV vaccine clinical development for Sanofi Pasteur, and then as Scientific Director of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the US Military HIV Research Program in Rockville, Maryland and in Bangkok, Thailand. He joined the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) in 2002 as Senior Medical Director in India and Switzerland until December 2012, responsible for the clinical development of several HIV vaccine candidates in India, US, Europe, and Africa. He has been serving as Senior Consultant for the US Military HIV Research Program since 2010 for advanced development of HIV vaccine candidates in Thailand. He joined in November 2015 the International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea as Head of Clinical Development and Regulatory until September 2018 and is now Program Director, New Initiatives. In January 2020, he joined VisMederi at Program Manager, New Initiatives.
Irene Barneschi - Unit Manager
She obtained her Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences in 2013 at the University of Siena, with a dissertation thesis on Applied Ecology. In 2014, while pursuing her studies with a specialized degree course in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability, she gained a curricular internship in VisMederi, where she prepared her Master thesis. In 2015, she obtained her Master Degree with an experimental thesis on the validation of an HPLC-FD method for the determination of mycotoxins. After graduation, she joined the VisMederi’s team as a young technician and now she deals with chemical-physical and microbiological analysis in the food and environment sector. Currently she deals with the development and validation of analytical methods.
Rosa Coluccio - Unit Manager
Graduated in 2017 in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena, with an experimental thesis on the mortality of Multiple Sclerosis in Tuscany carried out at the Department of Epidemiology, she continued her training with a Master of Science in Medical Biotechnologies, carrying out her internship thesis at the Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine with Prof. Montomoli working on a study on the evaluation of chickenpox immunity during pregnancy using the ELISA technique. In parallel with her university education, she has had her first experience in VisMederi (March 2020) working on the development and execution of serological assays for clinical studies through NM.
Livia Mazzini - Unit Manager
She graduated in 2012 in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena with a compilation thesis at the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences. She then obtained a Master’s Degree with Honors in Health Biology in 2015 at the University of Siena, with a thesis carried out at the Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine. In July of the same year, she achieved the qualification for the profession of biologist. After graduating, she obtained a project contract at the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience of the University of Siena, on the subject: “Evaluation of New Markers of Bone Metabolism and Interrelations with the Cardiovascular System”. She joined VisMederi in November 2016 with a cooperation agreement and subsequently, in February, she obtained a research grant with the theme “Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Antiviral Compounds”. She is currently working for VisMederi with a PhD in Life Sciences, on the subject “Development and Standardization of new Anti-Influenza Test”
Ramona Pace - Unit Manager
Graduated in Biological Sciences at the University of Parma in 2011, with an experimental thesis on Plant Genetics, she continued her studies with a degree course in Biology and Biomedical Applications in Parma and graduated in 2014, with an experimental thesis on identification of light k and lambda chains for the characterization of myelomas. In 2016, she took part in a training course in Clinical Research Associate, where she acquired knowledge in clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, GCP and GMP standards. She joined VisMederi with an internship in 2017. She currently deals with the development and execution of serological tests for clinical trials.
Ndubisi Obinna Amarabom
Ndubisi has a Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology. During his internship experience he worked with tetra-metric peptide NT4 for in-vitro and in-vivo imaging and tumour target therapy. He worked in Belfast as a Laboratory Assistant at Queen’s University Belfast, where he conducted laboratory analyses for environment, food and associated sectors. Finally, Ndubisi worked as a QC Technician for a company in Florence, where he conducted water and soil analyses, preparation of standard solutions, analytical development of calibration curves, application of QA / QC quality protocols, in particular the creation and management of analytical batches for a specific customer with the use of an associate of quality control samples. He is a very determined and cheerful person with great willingness to learn and get committed. He has excellent skills to work in a team and to establish good interpersonal relationships.
Nicoletta Attianese
Nicoletta graduated in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies with a final grade of 110/110 cum laude at the University of Siena in 2020. In the same year she obtained the qualification to practice her profession as a pharmacist. She worked as a cashier during her Master’s year becoming more and more organised and responsible. She began her career working as a pharmacist, then, a few months later she worked for a year as a Quality Control Chemical Analyst for a pharmaceutical company in Milan. She also worked as a Quality Control Chemical and Microbiological Technician at Takeda in Pisa. Since May 2022, she has joined the VisMederi’s team with the position of Scientist within the Medium Containment Functional Assays – UNIT, performing Influenza Virus Microneutralization Tests within BSL2/ BSL2+ laboratories.
Marta Baghini
Marta graduated in Biotechnologies at the University of Siena in July 2018. She had already joined VisMederi during her Bachelor’s internship focused on the HI method as key assay for the evaluation of the humoral response produced by NH 2017/2018 Influenza vaccine. She then continued her educational background at the University of Trento, earning a Master’s Degree in “Cellular and Molecular Biotechnologies” in December 2020 with a final mark of 110/110 Cum Laude. She carried out an experimental thesis focused on the expression profile of members of the RNA sensing pathway in a zebrafish model of Glioblastoma, obtained through the expression of RAS human oncogene. Her work provides the basis for a possible strategy aimed at RIG-I-like receptors modulation in brain tumour. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since September 2021, dealing with the execution of serological tests for clinical trials.
Costanza Balestrazzi
Costanza graduated from the ITT Tito Sarrocchi Institute of Siena and immediately went to work at the Siena University Hospital (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese). During high school she carried out an internship in a laboratory at Galenica Senese and this allowed her to learn and gain experience of many different analytical techniques.
Bernardo Biagi
After graduating as a Chemical Expert at the ITT Sarrocchi Institute of Siena, he continued his training by attending a six-month course at Farmatec in order to improve his expertise. He thus obtained the qualification of Engineering Technician for the Design and Development of Production Plants and their Validation. The topics covered during this course allowed him to deepen subjects such as the GMP qualifications rules, the identification of CCPs (Critical Control Points) and Working Dynamics in Quality. He has joined VisMederi in 2018, where he is responsible for the performance of serological and immunological tests for clinical trials using biological agents.
Valentina Biagini
Valentina obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnologies in 2018 at the University of Siena, with an experimental thesis focusing on the correlation between skeletal muscle metabolism and the development of Type II Diabetes. She then continued her studies at the University of Trento where she graduated, in December 2020, in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnologies after a 9-month internship in the Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Biology at the Centre for Integrative Biology (CIBIO). There, she carried out an experimental thesis using zebrafish as a tool to study melanoma extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their potential contribution to cancer progression. Then, as post-graduate fellow, she had the opportunity to carry on with her Master’s thesis project by further investigating the role of vesicular non-coding RNAs in tumour-associated inflammation. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since October 2021.
Adele Boccuto
Adele graduated in Biotechnology at the University of Siena in 2013 and in Medical Biotechnologies in 2015, carrying out her thesis on HIV-1 related research projects. In the same university, she obtained a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, studying novel antiviral strategies against emerging and re-emerging Flaviviruses, including DENV, WNV and ZIKV. In 2020, she obtained a Postdoc position in collaboration with First Health Pharmaceuticals continuing her studies in the same research area and expanding her skills with the study of SARS-CoV-2 virus. In July 2021, she caught the opportunity to join the VisMederi’s team.
Pierpaolo Calandro
Pierpaolo obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology in 2009 at the University of Sannio. He continued his studies at the University of Parma graduating in 2012 in Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology with a thesis based on the study of the cholesterol efflux promoted by HDL. In 2013, he started a PhD in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Siena, specializing in the use of nanoparticles (mainly liposomes) as a carrier of Src inhibitors with anticancer activity. In 2017, he obtained a Postdoc position in collaboration with First Health Pharmaceuticals continuing his studies on anticancer activity in cancer cell lines of several inhibitors. In September 2020, he has joined the VisMederi’s team taking care of serological tests for the evaluation of immunogenicity in vaccines.
Paolo Cantaloni
He graduated from the University of Siena in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques in 2014. He subsequently worked and gained experience in private clinical laboratories in Arezzo. In 2018, he enrolled in a Master’s Degree in Health Biology. He obtained his Master’s Degree in June 2020 with a thesis entitled “Validation of the ELLA Method (Enzyme-linked Lectin Assay) for the Assay of the Antibody Title against Neuraminidase of 2017/18 and 2018/19 Seasonal Influenza Virus” by carrying out his thesis internship at VisMederi. In November 2020, he started a PhD program in VisMederi in collaboration with the University of Siena. In VisMederi, he is currently dealing with the development and implementation of serological assays for pre-clinical and clinical trials on influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
Francesca Dapporto
Francesca graduated in 2013 in Biological Sciences at the University of Bologna, with an experimental thesis on Medical Genetics. In 2016, at the same university, she graduated with honours in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology with an experimental thesis on Nanotechnologies, dealing with tetrahedral DNA nanostructures. Subsequently, she first obtained a scholarship at the Tuscan Tumour Institute in Siena and then a doctorate in Genetics, Oncology and Clinical Medicine at the University of Siena, working on orthotopic glioblastoma mouse models, confocal microscopy and cell biology. Since September 2020, she has joined the VisMederi’s Research team and she is working on the development of serological assays aimed at evaluating the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in clinical studies.
Domiziana De Tommaso
Domiziana graduated with Honours in Biological Sciences (BCs) in 2013 and in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MDs) in 2016 at the University of Siena. She joined the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology in 2015. During her MDs thesis internship, she was trained as a Molecular and Cellular Immunologist. After her graduation, she applied for a Ph.D. position for a project focused on the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the immuno-pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). During her Ph.D. period in the Laboratory of Molecular Immunology at the University of Siena, her research focused on the neuroprotective and neurotoxic processes of astrocytes modulated by autoreactive T cells and vice versa, in the pathological setting of EAE (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) and MS. She has expertise in the analysis of the immune response in mouse model of autoimmune diseases, in flow cytometry applied to immunology and in characterization of intracellular signalling pathways. In 2020, she received the Ph.D. in Life Sciences. Afterwards, she worked for one year on a Pharmaceutical Company site in Siena. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since October 2021.
Maria Luigia Errico
After graduating in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technologies at the University La Sapienza in Rome in 2018, she worked as a pharmacist for two years. Then she attended a Master’s in Drug Design and Development at the University of Pavia. The Master’s Degree included a six-month internship carried out in Emozoo srl (Casole D’Elsa) and VisMederi, in order to improve her knowledge in preclinical and clinical evaluation of vaccines efficacy, as well as in any related laboratory techniques. Thanks to this internship she has joined the VisMederi’s team since March 2022, dealing with the execution of serological tests for clinical trials.
Filippo Fattorini
Filippo graduated as a Chemical Expert at the ITT Monna Agnese Biological Institute of Siena. He continued his training by working as a technician at Galenica Senese for some months, where he improved his knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector. In 2019 he worked with a special inspection machine in GlaxoSmithKline as a Quality Inspector for the Bexsero vaccine. He then started to work as a Liquid Manufacturing Operator in the sector of Pharma Operations, where he prepared the solutions for different medications at De Angeli’s Institute in Reggello. He has joined VisMederi in 2021 where he currently manages the “Cobas e 411” machine that analyses Coronavirus vaccines.
Giacomo Ferrandi
Giacomo obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnologies in 2016 and his Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies in 2019, both at the University of Siena. During his internship experiences he has worked in the field of tumour targeted therapy, analysing the effects of NT4 tetrameric peptide on different cancer cell lines through 2D wound healing, immunofluorescence and western blot assays. Finally, he has also worked as a Quality Assurance operator for a pharmaceutical company in Siena. Since January 2021 he has joined the VisMederi’s team.Ilaria Ferrigno
Ilaria obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology at the University of Siena in 2014. She continued her studies with a Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies at the University of Siena and graduated in 2016. During her MSc Degree internship at the Haematology Laboratory of Siena University Hospital, she focused her attention on the genetic predisposition to atherothrombotic events in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients. In the same laboratory, she obtained a PhD in Genetics, Oncology and Clinical Medicine in March 2021, with a project based on the study of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines profile in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients. As a PhD student, she got the opportunity to attend the Laboratory for Molecular Genetics in Myeloid Leukaemia at the University of Ulm (Germany), where she improved her knowledge in molecular techniques applied to the study of genetic mutations in haematological diseases. Afterwards she obtained a one-year Research Fellow at the Haematology Laboratory of Siena University Hospital. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since December 2021.
Ilenia Giglioli
Ilenia began her studies at the University of Florence in 2012. She graduated in Biological Sciences in 2015 (BCs) and with Honours in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2018 (MSc) with a thesis about the role of CD20-derived peptides in T cell response in healthy individuals and in lymphoma patients. From 2018 to 2021, she worked as a Research Technician at the Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (INSERM) in Paris (France), under the supervision of Prof. Catherine Sautes-Fridman and Wolf Hervé Fridman. She worked on different projects about the role of Tertiary Lymphoid Structure and Tumour Microenvironment (TME) in cancer, investigating on the significance of different biomarkers in the immunotherapy response in patients. She has joined the VisMederi’s Team since February 2022.
Stefano Gonzi
After his High School Diploma in Chemistry, Stefano obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology at the University of Siena in 2018, with a thesis entitled “Molecular interactions between Trisk95 and JPH1 sarcoplasmic proteins and the CLIMP63 reticular protein”. In 2021, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Florence, with a thesis entitled “Identification of optimization strategies for the recombinant protein production in the Antarctic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 using genome-scale approaches”. During several periods of study, he performed some internships working on the study of intestinal microbiota in fibromyalgia patients and in the expression and functionalization of recombinant Human Ferritin as a drug carrier. In the same year of his Master’s Degree, he has caught the opportunity to join VisMederi to perform Micro-Neutralization (MN) tests in BSL3 laboratories.
Francesca Gotra
Francesca obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena in 2017 and her Master’s Degree in Health Biology in June 2020 with a final grade of 110/110 cum laude. During her internship at the Endocrinology Laboratory of Siena Hospital, she worked on an experimental project entitled “Association analysis of polymorphisms in obesity-related genes in a cohort of pre-bariatric obese patients”. She achieved the qualification as a Biologist in July. In January 2021 she started working for nine months in the Immunological Quality Control Department of GSK Siena as a Laboratory Technician and then joined VisMederi srl in December 2021 with the position of Scientist. She currently performs the ELISA-based microneutralization assay for the immunogenicity evaluation of Influenza Vaccines.
Noemi Guerrini
Noemi obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology at the University of Bologna in July 2019 with a final grade of 110/110 with honours. Her thesis was based on the development of a biological nanobiosensor able to detect tumour biomarkers in serum samples. Currently she is carrying out her Master’s Degree in Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Milano-Bicocca and she has joined the VisMederi’s team to carry out her thesis that will be based on the vaccine-induced immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
Luciano La Magra
Luciano graduated in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena and he continued his education with a Master’s Degree in Health Biology graduating with honours, presenting an experimental thesis entitled “The role of Sph-K/S1P pathway in airway dysfunction associated with lesions induced by cigarette smoke”. During his studies he completed an internship at the laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathological Anatomy at the Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine. The internship was focused on morphological, morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissue sections. After graduation he joined the VisMederi’s team and he is currently involved in the assessment of immunological response after exposure to influenza vaccine through the serological test of MicroNeutralization (MN-ELISA assay). He is also working on the characterization of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strains through MATS-ELISA (Meningococcal Antigen Typing System-Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay), related to the first vaccine developed in the world against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (Bexsero).
Elisa Lari
Elisa graduated in Biology at the University of Pisa in 2005 and she completed her studies obtaining a PhD in Molecular Medicine and a Second Level Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Industrial Technologies. In these years, she had the opportunity to acquire many laboratory skills in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She joined SienaBiotech in 2009 where she studied the mechanism of action of the relevant target for Huntington’s disease; during this period, she also acquired broader experience in Cellular Biology, mainly working on Huntington’s disease cellular models. She then joined Exosomics as a Researcher in 2012 and she was involved in the development of an ELISA test on exosomes isolated from human plasma, in the compilation of testing protocols and in the performance of cell mediated immunity assays (FACS). After this experience she joined GSK Vaccines as a QC Technician where she performed analytical tests in GMP, revised operating procedures (SOP) and wrote technical reports. She was involved in the validation and transfer of tests to Quality Control and in laboratory instrument management. Since October 2020, she has been working in Vismederi as a Research Technician.
Simona Latanza
Simona obtained her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Florence in October 2018 with an experimental thesis on the phenotypical and functional characterization of innate lymphoid cells obtained from cord blood samples, carried out at the Clinical Immunology and Immunotherapeutic Unit. After that, she moved to Verona where she obtained, in October 2020, her Master’s Degree in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology after a period of internship at the Immunogenetics, Leukaemia Genomics and Immunobiology Unit of San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. During this experience, she had the opportunity to work on a minigene-based approach to obtain neoantigen specific immune responses starting from healthy donors’ lymphocytes. Since December 2020 she has joined the VisMederi’s team.
Sara Leopoldi
Sara began her university career at the University of Siena and obtained a three-year Degree in Biological Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Health Biology, with a final grade of 110/110 cum laude; during her internship, she worked at the Clinical Pathology Unit’s Special Coagulation Laboratory at Siena University Hospital (AOUS), where she had the opportunity to learn about the workflow for the preparation of plasma aliquots, from whole blood samples, as well as to carry out various tests for the dosage of the parameters characterizing the coagulation process. Her Master’s thesis is based on the study of t-PA, PAI-1 and D-Dimer parameters as markers of COVID-19 pathology clinical evolution and as prognostic markers, with the aim of better studying and analysing the causes of the imbalance between coagulation and fibrinolysis, responsible for thrombotic episodes in COVID-19 patients with severe prognosis. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since July 2021.
Federica Lolini
Federica studied Pharmacy at the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy of the University of Siena in 2016. Then she performed a pre-graduate internship in a pharmacy in Grosseto in 2021. Afterwards, she gained a curricular internship in VisMederi, where she is writing her Master’s thesis. She is currently working as a Scientist in Microneutralization Elisa team within BLS2/BLS2+ laboratories.
Camilla Magi
Graduated in Biotechnologies in 2017, she then obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies with a final grade of 110/110 cum laude at the University of Siena in 2020, with an experimental thesis on Heparan sulphate proteoglycans (HSPGs). In the same year, she was accepted onto an internship spending six months in the Molecular Biology lab under the supervision of Prof. Chiara Falciani, during which she observed and carried out various types of experiments. She has joined Vismederi in 2021.
Erika Maltinti
Erika achieved her Diploma in “Chemistry and Biological Techniques” after her high school studies. In 2016, she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Pisa, where she also graduated with honours in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2019. After graduating, she undertook an Internship in a Biotech Company specialised in liquid biopsy and cancer screening in Siena, where she worked as a Scientist until August 2020. During her academic and work experience, she acquired skills on several modern molecular techniques. She is currently a member of the VisMederi’s team as a Scientist.
Rudi Mazzinghi
Rudi graduated at the University of Siena in Environmental and Natural Sciences, where he specialized in “Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability”. During his studies, he has always worked in the analysis sector, thus gaining knowledge and expertise in this field. In 2019, he won a scholarship to work as an Administrative Secretary at the University of Siena and, in 2020, he took part in the Interreg MED Plastic Buster MPAs European Project funded by the European Community, carrying out his degree thesis in this context. He finally qualified as a Biologist in 2020 and he has joined the VisMederi’s staff since 2021. He is currently taking care of the execution of COVID-19 swab tests, helping Vismederi in the fight against the pandemic.
Fiamma Mazzini
She performed a pre-graduate internship at VisMederi in September 2018. She obtained a Specialist Degree in Pharmacy at the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy of the University of Siena in 2019, with a thesis on the subject “Influenza vaccination, new frontiers, effectiveness and security”. Whithin VisMederi she is involved in the implementation of serological tests with the aim of testing the immunogenicity of influenza vaccinations.
Filippo Orlandi
Filippo received his Bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Siena in 2017, followed by an internship at the Residue Analysis Laboratory within the Department of the same University, where he developed a thesis on organochlorine levels detected in three different dolphin species. In addition, he had the opportunity to strengthen his knowledge through his Master’s in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Sustainability, which gave him the chance to further investigate around ecotoxicological issues. In 2019, he published a thesis regarding the collection, recycling, disposal, toxicological effects, and dumping of waste oils. He joined VisMederi in 2020 as an intern at VisMederi Research and, since March 2021, he has been involved in the hemagglutination inhibition assay for influenza virus, being part of the VisMederi’s team.
Sara Pantisano
Sara obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences in 2013 at the University of Bologna, with a thesis about Calprotectin as a new marker for determination of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Then she obtained her Master’s Degree in Biology of Health with Honours in 2016, with an experimental thesis about “E-cigarette: modulation of drug metabolism enzymes, antioxidants and lipidomic evaluation in the animal model”. In the same year she obtained the qualification to practice her profession as a Biologist at the University of Parma. In 2017 she began her work career in GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, in the Quality Control Immunology Lab, first as a Quality Control Technician and, in 2020, as a Quality Control Expert, where she acquired knowledge and skills on Quality Management System and laboratory techniques. In March 2021 she has joined the VisMederi’s team as a Research Technician.
Giulio Pierleoni
Giulio obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology at the University of Urbino in 2019. In the same year, he was accepted onto an internship spending six months in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology “G. Fornaini” Lab at the University of Urbino, where his project was focused on the protein production and purification for the treatment of creatine-deficient patients. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Parma in 2021, with an experimental thesis on the identification and the isolation of human monoclonal antibodies against antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, developed in the MAD-Lab at Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences in Siena. He has joined VisMederi since 2021 [where he is involved in the “MabCo19”, a project focused on the identification and characterization of neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies from Covid-19 convalescent patients].
Eva Puccioni
Eva graduated at the Biological Sciences University of Siena and specialized in Cellular and Molecular Biology with a final grade of 110/110 cum laude and special mention. She worked for a year as a graduate student in the Molecular Biology laboratory of Professor Cosima Tatiana Baldari and she wrote her thesis “The immunosuppressive activity of neoplastic cells on T lymphocytes, in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and how this activity could be modulated by interleukins like IL-9”, studying the causes that could lead to T lymphocytes dysfunctions, including their increased expression of the inhibitory PD-1 receptor in leukaemia such as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since June 2021.
Giulia Riolo
Giulia moved to Siena in 2010 to start her university education. She graduated in Biotechnology in 2013 and then obtained a Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies in 2015. In the same year, she won a PhD position financially supported by AIRC, the Italian association for cancer research. Her doctoral project was focused on the in-vitro and in-vivo characterization of a cancer-selective peptide, in order to bypass side effects commonly deriving from treatments with chemotherapy drugs. After receiving her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, she joined the SetLance company working on the pre-clinical development of antimicrobial drugs against sepsis, pneumonia and bladder-related infections. In April 2019, she started working at the Neurogenetics Unit of the Siena University Hospital (Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Senese), where she acquired relevant experience in genetics, clinical research and management of clinical trials. During her career, she has been involved in several research projects and her background in different sectors is accompanied by numerous scientific publications. She has been working for VisMederi since May 2022.
Giulia Roscia
Giulia began her studies at the University of Siena in 2008. Graduated in Biotechnology (BSc) in 2011 and in Medical Biotechnologies (MSc) in 2013, she received her PhD. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 2016. Her PhD work was primarily based on the in vitro and in vivo characterization of potential antimicrobial and anticancer drug candidates. After her PhD, she spent almost two years in Setlance srl, as a CMC Manager. In 2018, she joined the Analytical Development Department of Kedrion Biopharma (Lucca). Since 2020 she has been working for VisMederi as a Scientist, being part of the Non-functional Assay Unit, performing all the tests and analyses of the results obtained from vaccine trials in terms of antibody response, supporting the Unit Manager in the execution of planned activity, analysis of obtained data, as well as communications with the Sponsors.
Bianca Semplici
Bianca graduated in Biotechnology at the University of Siena in 2014. She then obtained a Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnologies at the University of Siena in 2017, with her thesis about fertility at the Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine. In the same department, she began a PhD course in 2017, completing her studies for her Master’s Degree thesis. She achieved her PhD in Molecular Medicine in 2021. During these years, she has acquired many laboratory skills in molecular and cellular biology. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since June 2021.
Sarah Ejovwoke Sylla
Sarah Ejovwoke obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Biochemistry at the University of Benin, Nigeria in 2016, with a thesis on the “Effects of methanolic extract of Annona muricata root-bark and stem-bark on the lipid profile status of treated albino wistar rats”. She moved to Italy shortly after graduation and proceeded to pursue her Master’s Degree in Medical, Veterinary or Forensic Biotechnology at the University of Perugia. She spent a year at the pharmacology section of the Department of Medicine, UNIPG for her research thesis under the supervision of Prof. Simona Ronchetti. Sarah graduated in the middle of the pandemic, in 2021, with her research thesis on “The study of the function of GILZ on human neutrophils”. In the same year she moved to the United Kingdom for a post graduate traineeship at Medical Research Council, Harwell, Oxfordshire where she worked with the molecular and cellular group. Sarah actively participated in the determination of gene expression of specific genes in genetically modified mouse models to study human diseases. During this time, she improved on her molecular biology and data analysis techniques and upon completion of her training she returned to Italy and has currently been employed at VisMederi Srl since June 2022. During her free time, Sarah enjoys travelling, taking photographs, immersing in new cultures and trying new recipes.
Niccolò Solfanelli
Niccolò obtained a Master’s Degree in Chemistry in 2014 with a graduation score of 109/110. After some internships in food company laboratories, he joined GSK as a Formulation Operator in February 2016. Niccolò started working in the Fashion market segment for Intertek spa as a Chemical Laboratory Technician in December 2017. He then moved to LBS srl in December 2018, always employed as a Laboratory Technician and finally joined Certest-BureauVeritas as a Chemical Analyst. In the last 3 years Niccolò has been growing professionally, deepening the use of chromatographic instruments such as GCMS, HPLC-MSDAD, LCMS. Moreover, he took a Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Management, Marketing, Market Access and Sales in 2018.
Ida Tardugno
Ida graduated in Biotechnology at the University of Tuscia in 2018. She continued her studies by graduating in Biotechnology for medical, pharmaceutical and veterinary diagnostics at the University of Basilicata in 2021 with a thesis in genetic biotechnology concerning the production of somatic hybrids from unicellular algae. Since February 2022 she has been carrying out an apprenticeship as a Research Operator in VisMederi’s laboratories.
Francesca Vanni
Francesca obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena in 2013. She pursued her studies in the field of Molecular and Cellular Biology, graduating in 2015. Thanks to her MSc Degree Internship, she had the opportunity to approach subjects such as immunology and tumour-associated inflammation, and she actively participated into clinical trials regarding immunotherapy and treatment with monoclonal antibodies in patients with lung cancer and colon cancer. Upon completion of her MSc Degree, she had a one-year experience as a Research Fellow focusing on the role of systemic inflammation in arrhythmic risk. She then started her PhD in Life Sciences at the University of Siena in 2017, with a project focused on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia microenvironment and drug resistance. She acquired experience in intracellular signalling pathways, immune cell phenotyping and antitumoral drug preclinical evaluation, both in vitro and in vivo. She has joined the VisMederi’s team since June 2021.
Giuseppe Vicinanza
After graduating at the ITT Tito Sarrocchi Scientific High School in Siena, Giuseppe continued his studies at the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Siena. Through university internships, he had the opportunity to join the VisMederi’s team in 2021. Within VisMederi, he is in charge of performing serological tests for clinical trials on flu and SARS-CoV-2.
researchgate.net/Giulia_Piccini
