I am originally from Lecco (Italy), where the novel “Promessi Sposi” (The Betrothed) by Alessandro Manzoni takes place. I achieved my Master degree in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Milan, Italy. I completed my thesis entitled “Tissue Engineering Heart Valve: A Bioreactor Based Approach for Valve Interstitial Cells Seeding and Culture onto Porcine Pericardium” after a traineeship in the Tissue Engineering Unit at Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milan. I worked there as a research assistant for three years on a number of different projects.
As part of the RenalToolBox ITN, I am working at NHS Blood and Transplant, under Dr Vivien Hanson’s supervision, in Liverpool. The aim of my project is to assess the properties and efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) as a therapy for renal diseases.