Education

- March 2011

      PhD at University of Molise in Quality and Protection of Agroalimentary and Forestry Products (specialization: Fungal Genetics and Biology) at the Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso (Italy).

- August 2009 - September 2010

      PhD visiting student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in the School of Biological Sciences, Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics, laboratory of professor Alexander Idnurm.

- September 2009- April 2010

      Third and Fourth level certificates of attendance of the Intensive English Program at The Applied Language Institute (ALI) at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

- July 2007

      Degree (M. Sc.) in Agricultural Science and Technology at the Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso (Italy).

- October 2004

      Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Science and Technology at the Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso (Italy).

Work experience

- November 2022 – present 

      Assistant professor (Italian RTDB) at the University of Molise, Campobasso (Italy), Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences.

- August 2019 – October 2022

      Assistant professor (Italian RTDA) at the University of Molise, Campobasso (Italy), Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences.

- February 2019 – July 2019

      Senior Research Associate (Microbial Pathogenesis, Fungal Genetics, and Molecular Biology) at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham (NC, USA), Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.

      Supervisor: Prof. Joseph Heitman

- February 2016 – February 2019

      Postdoctoral Associate (Microbial Pathogenesis, Fungal Genetics, and Molecular Biology) at Duke University School of Medicine, Durham (NC, USA), Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology.

      Supervisor: Prof. Joseph Heitman

- April 2011 - June 2015

      Research Associate (Plant pathology, Fungal Genetics and Molecular Biology) at the University of Molise, Campobasso (Italy), Department of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences.

      Supervisor: Prof. Raffaello Castoria

- January 2012 - December 2014

      Visiting Research Associate (Microbiology, Fungal Genetics and Molecular Biology) at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics.

      Supervisor: Prof. Alexander Idnurm

Funding

      - Grant LF-OC-22-001060: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor integrates signals from the commensal yeast Malassezia to attenuate inflammation in the atopic skin. Funding: LEO Foundation – budget 537.789 EURO (4.000.000,00 DKK), 205.100 EURO for GI. From 01-01-2023 – 31-12-2025. Role: Co/PI

      - PRIN P2022TPZW3: Molecular analysis of the mechanisms of action of the biocontrol agent Papiliotrema terrestris for its use in sustainable agriculture. Funding: MUR (Ministry of University and Research) - budget 224.761 EURO, 135.047 EURO for GI. From 01-11-2023 – 31-10-2025. Role: PI