Marilena Marraudino joined the Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi in 2014 as part of the Neuroendocrinology group. In these years, Marilena followed several lines of research, contributing significantly to studies on the role of endocrine disruptors; her interest has mainly focused on the neural effects of phytoestrogen Genistein and bisphenols.
Marilena obtained her MS in neurobiology from the University of Pisa. Her PhD thesis was attended at the University of Turin with Prof. GianCarlo Panzica and was characterized by a morphological approach on the study of the Kisspeptin system. During this period, she spent two periods abroad, first at the INRA (Tours, France) in Dr. Keller’s lab and then in Madrid (Spain) at UNED in Prof. Collado’s lab and at Cajal Institute in Dr. Garcia-Segura’s lab. After her first three years as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Turin, Marilena was a three-year recipient of the prestigious Umberto Veronesi Foundation Post-doc fellow grant (2021-2023).
Research focus
Marilena’s academic training and research experience have provided her with an excellent background in multiple biological disciplines, primarily neuroanatomy, neuroendocrinology, and animal behavior. She’s following several lines of research, contributing significantly to studies on the effects of endocrine disruptors (EDCs) on the brain and behavior. Her interest has mainly focused on phytoestrogen genistein and the estradiol regulation on different brain functions in pediatric age.
She initiated a new translational study investigating the possible consequences of using soy (food rich in phytoestrogens) as a nutritional substitute in macronutrient-poor diets during pregnancy by extending the AN (ABA, activity-based anorexia) rat model to pregnancy.
