Ricercatori

Alessia Ghibaudo earned her Master’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2024 from the University of Turin, after completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biology. During her Master’s program, she conducted an experimental thesis exploring the role of Importin-α3 in sensory neurons with a focus on behavior, microscopy and molecular biology techniques, using C.elegans as a model organism. This research experience deepened her interest in the intricate mechanisms governing cellular function. Alessia enjoys tackling new challenges, bringing enthusiasm and a collaborative spirit to every project she undertakes. Since December 2024, she has held a new position as Research fellow in Dr. Di Cunto’s group, working under the mentorship of Dr. Pritz to investigate the mechanisms of action of the protein Citron Kinase, utilizing C.elegans as a model organism.

Alessia’s research focuses on investigating the roles of the citron kinase (CIT) and UPF1 genes in the model organism C. elegans. In humans, CIT is implicated in high-grade brain tumors, while UPF1 dysfunction is associated with a rare genetic disease. Through this model, she aims to dissect the underlying molecular mechanisms, validate potential phenotypic outcomes, and deepen our understanding of these critical genes in health and disease, with a view to their potential role as therapeutic genetic targets

Flavia Greco obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Biomedical Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, in 2022, with an experimental thesis exploring the potential role of a novel anti-inflammatory drug in cancer treatment, focusing on its effects on human THP-1 derived macrophages. For her work, she was awarded with the University Medal and the Industry Research Award.

In September 2022, she moved back to Italy to obtain her Master’s of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology (Neurobiological track). She joined the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi NICO in 2023 to work on her Master’s thesis aimed to establish an innovative neuron-specific knockdown of importin-alpha3 in Caenorhabditis elegans, investigating its role in chemotaxis behavior. Since November 2024, Flavia is a PhD student in Complex Systems for Quantitative Biomedicine (CSQB) under the supervision of Prof. Di Cunto and Prof. Pritz using C. elegans as a model to unravel and systematically map the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as behavioral changes that might be brought around by conditions of microgravity and low magnetic field strength.

Flavia’s research focuses on the use of C. elegans as a model to study the effects of microgravity and low magnetic field strength on nematodes, particularly on worm-to-worm interactions and behavior, including predation and chemotaxis. With her work, Flavia aims to reveal if adaptation to the aforementioned space conditions confers a unilateral advantage to one particular nematode species when this is interacting with a co-specific, thereby inducing a shift in the predator-prey balance. Furthermore, Flavia aims to map the neurogenetics underlying such behavioral adaptations in different nematode species across generations. This will contribute to laying the grounds to establish permanent presence in space.

Letizia Lazzerini graduated in Molecular and Applied Biology at University of Florence with a master’s degree thesis on the effects of environmental pollutants on GnRH neurons development. She joined the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi in 2025 in the Embryonic neurogenesis group led by Professor Di Cunto, thanks to a research grant funded by Fondazione Venesio for the project Nutrire i Talenti per far Crescere la Ricerca.

Letizia joined the research group that is focused on the validation of Citron kinase (CITK) as possible therapeutic target for high grade brain tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme, and the characterization of the molecular networks in which CITK operates.