Laura Ballerini

Giada Cellot graduated in Medical Biotechnology (MSc) in 2006 and received a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Trieste (Italy), in 2010. She then pursued postdoctoral research in synaptic and circuit electrophysiology at SISSA, working with Prof. E. Cherubini. In 2016, GC was awarded with a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship, during which she investigated, at the University of Leicester (UK), the impact of graphene related nanomaterials on zebrafish nervous system. Rejoining SISSA in 2018, GC contributed as RTDA researcher to the EC funded Graphene Flagship project, assessing the neuro-medical applications and neurotoxicity of graphene related materials. Currently, she works in the framework of the NextGenerationEU, PNRR funded project, Age-It (Spoke 2, WP5) “Zebrafish as translational model towards healthy aging strategies: linking cognitive, synaptic and protein senescence”, where she supervises SISSA activities related to the zebrafish model. GC’s expertise regards synaptic physiology and nanomaterials applications to neuroscience. Her research interests include: (i) The physiology of synapses, namely synaptic function, integrity and plasticity, and correlated behaviors, in physio-pathological conditions, such as autism, anxiety diseases, neuroinflammation and ageing. (ii) The manipulation of synaptic function through nanomaterials derived devices, for the development of novel nanotechology based therapeutic approaches for the nervous system. (iii) In vivo assessment of nanomaterials neurotoxicity, through high throughput behavioral screening in zebrafish.

Anabela Palandri joined SISSA as postdoc researcher in 2022. Her long-term research interests center on elucidating the signaling mechanisms that regulate myelination in the CNS, a fundamental process for brain development and a key factor in adult pathologies such as multiple sclerosis. Under the supervision of Dr. P. Lopez, during her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Córdoba (Argentina), AP investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms arising from axon-myelin interactions. Building on this strong foundation in basic neuroscience and neuronal signaling pathways, she sought to expand her expertise in translational research. To this end, she pursued postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Wendy Macklin at the University of Colorado (Denver, USA), a leading expert in oligodendrocyte development and myelination. Now, she is continuing her research journey at SISSA, to explore oligodendrocyte differentiation and the role of Ca²⁺ dynamics in spinal cord organ cultures during neuroinflammation.

Maria Pachetti joined SISSA as postdoc researcher in 2022. She graduated in Physics MSc at the University of Pisa (Italy) and obtained a PhD in Physics at the University of Trieste (Italy). MP investigates calcium dynamics in mature oligodendrocytes within the murine spinal cord. To this aim, MP designed and produced a recombinant adeno-associated virus to express a genetically encoded calcium indicator, enabling the characterization of calcium signaling under both physiological conditions and mild proinflammatory stress. Currently, her research focuses on oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC)-neuron synapses and OPC-glia crosstalk, aiming to identify the signals regulating OPC proliferation and differentiation. As part of this project, she is developing molecular tools to study OPC-neuron interactions and OPC-glia crosstalk. Additionally, she is the reference person for the two-photon microscope, overseeing its optimization and application for in vivo studies.

While completing the master degree in Neuroscience at the University of Trieste, Mario Fontanini started his experience at SISSA in the ”Tactile Perception and Learning Lab” headed by Prof. M. E. Diamond, conducting behavioral experiments, in a study of rat vibrissae-mediated tactile duration perception. After this period, MF was enrolled in the PhD programme in Neurobiology. In Prof. L. Ballerini’lab, he employed Silicon-based nanoscale photo-diodes (nPDs) activated by Near Infrared Red (NIR)-laser beam, as a single-cell interface to precisely modulate specific network activity, in organotypic spinal cord cultures. Employing such nano-technology he dissected single-neuron contribution to sensory and pre-motor circuit dynamics, unfolding the reciprocal interaction present between dorsal and ventral spinal areas. He focused as well on exploring the diverse astrocytic activity patterns in sensory and pre-motor areas, even in respect to synaptic network changes exerted from the nPDs-mediated stimulation. Currently MF holds a post-doc position, to deepen neuronal-astrocytic cross-talk in sensory-motor integration taking advantage of NIR-mediated nPDs stimulation.

Driven by a deep fascination for biology and biomedical sciences, Luca Recupero moved from Sicily to Tuscany to pursue his BSc in Biotechnology and MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Pisa. His BSc and MSc theses explored VEGF-mediated feedback loops in Diabetic Retinopathy (Prof. M. Dal Monte’s lab) and the intracellular mechanisms underlying Aβ oligomer toxicity in Alzheimer’s Disease (M. T. Dell'Anno's Lab). LR began his PhD in Neurobiology at SISSA in November 2021. His research focuses on neuroinflammation in the context of spinal circuit dynamics and their key intercellular mediators. Specifically, he studies neuron-astrocyte interactions and the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) in propagating astrocytic reactivity and neuronal dysfunction in spinal tissue. To investigate these mechanisms, he employs both classical and cutting-edge technologies: by integrating electrophysiology and astrocytic calcium imaging with custom adeno associated viral vectors and confocal microscopy, LR aims to correlate the functional alterations observed through live recordings with the transcriptional signatures and the cellular origins and targets of sEVs.

Safaa Mamoun Abdelmageid Ali earned her BSc in Zoology at the University of Khartoum (Sudan), where her fascination with the biological basis of behavior first emerged thanks to a thesis in which she explored primate behavior, which deepened her interest in understanding the intricate links between cell biology and behavior. This passion led her to pursue a MSc in Molecular Biology, focusing on the genetic underpinnings of fibromyalgia for her thesis. Next, she joined the Sudanese Neuroscience Project, aimed to investigate the effects of music on the brain using EEG. Her growing enthusiasm for neuroscience brought her to SISSA through the TWAS-SISSA-Lincei Research Cooperation Visits Programme, during which she had the privilege of working under the supervision of Prof. A. Treves. In 2022, she was enrolled in the PhD in Neurobiology, where she is exploring the neurobiological basis of cognitive aging and the influence of stress. Decoding the behavioral aspects of the brain has always been a constant pursuit in the background of her mind. Now, having the opportunity to explore it professionally is one of the greatest joys of her life.

Giulia Salzano graduated with a BSc and MSc in Physics at the University of Pisa (Italy), during which she focused on computational models of neurons and astrocytes. She gained experience in Python coding and data analysis. In 2024, she became a SISSA PhD student in Neurobiology. Currently, she is focusing on the interplay between neurons and oligodendrocytes in spinal cord organotypic culture model. To this aim, she is exploiting calcium imaging techniques to visualize the calcium dynamics in oligodendrocytes and genetically encoded voltage indicators to monitor neurons’ membrane potential.

Daniela Bolis is completing her International MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Trieste (Italy), following her BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Pavia (Italy). Her education has allowed her to integrate biotechnological approaches with a deeper understanding of neuroscience, fostering her passion for brain research and neurobiological mechanisms. Currently, she is conducting her thesis internship to explore oligodendrocyte differentiation and the role of Ca²⁺ dynamics in spinal cord organ cultures during neuroinflammation.

Giorgia Zilio graduated in Cognitive Psychobiological Sciences BSc at the University of Padua (Italy) and currently she is a student of the joint CIMeC-SISSA program from MSc in Cognitive Science (University of Trento, Italy). In her thesis internship, GZ is working on the behavioral effects of social isolation in zebrafish larvae, also focusing on neuronal/synaptic impact of this form of stress through immunostaining and live calcium imaging technique.

Diomira Elettra Lenti is a student from the International MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Trieste (Italy), following her BSc in Biotechnology (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy). This intersection of biotechnology and neuroscience ignited in her a strong desire to better understand the mysterious workings of the brain. Currently, she is studying through electrophysiology and immunostaining the interplay between synaptic plasticity and neuroinflammatory stress.

Riccardo Redivo supports the lab with assistance in project planning and management, development of internal and external communication plans, budget and expenditure updates and reporting, identification of requirements and resource gaps, responsibility for project reporting, order management, and communication with administrative offices, for both national (PNRR and PRIN) and international (Graphene Flagship, HFSP, ByAxon, and Neronanotech) projects.