1986: PhD in Sciences, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Title of the dissertation: “The MIP gene: a nuclear mutant deficient in the mitochondrial DNA polymerase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae”.
1981: Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Parma, Italy. Title of the dissertation: “Lactate dehydrogenase regulation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae”.
1975: Classical High School Diploma, Liceo Ginnasio T. Mamiani, Pesaro (PU).
2001 – present: Researcher, permanent position at Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology (IBBA), National Research Council (CNR), Milan
1998-2004: Adjunct Professor at University of Urbino. Responsible of the course of Plant Molecular Biology, in the degree course Agro-industrial Biotechnology
1996: Member of Società Italiana di Genetica Agraria (SIGA)
1995 – 2001: Research Scientist, fixed-term contracts (ex art. 36) at CNR-IBBA (ex IBV), Milan. Research activity: Analysis of the expression of storage proteins genes in maize endosperm and of their regulation by circadian rhythms.
1997: Visiting scientist, Lab Prof. Stephen. Dellaporta, Department of Biology, Osborn Memorial Laboratories, Yale University (New Haven, CT, USA). Short Term Mobility fellowship funded by CNR. Research activity: in situ hybridization applied to the developmental stages of male inflorescences in maize.
1993 – 1995: Post-doc fellowship funded by “Laboratorio Farmaceutico Lofarma” at IBBA (ex-IBV), CNR, Milan. Research activity: “Identification and characterization of genes expressed in inflorescences in Zea mays. Cloning of genes coding for allergenic proteins expressed in Parietaria judaica pollen grains”.
1990: Member of Italian Association of Professional Biologists
1990 – 1993: Post-doc grant funded by Enichem Agricoltura (ex Agrimont) at IBBA (ex-IBV), CNR, Milan. Research activity: set up of the biolistic protocol for plant transformation and for the analysis of gene expression regulation in plant cell and tissue cultures.
1988 – 1990: Post-doc fellowship funded by C.I.A.T. (Centro Internacional de Agricoltura Tropical), at Istituto Sperimentale per l’Orticoltura (CREA), Montanaso Lombardo, LO. Research activity: set up of protocols for genetic transformation of Phaseolus vulgaris through the biolistic approach or by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
1987: Post-doc fellowship funded by CNR, at IBBA (ex-IBV), CNR, Milan. Research activity: synthesis and transport of glycoproteins in Phaseolus vulgaris during seed development and in Daucus carota cell suspension cultures during somatic embryogenesis.
1982 – 1986: Laboratoire d’Enzymologie, Prof. André Goffeau, Faculté de Sciences Agronomiques, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Three-year fellowship funded by the Commission of the European Communities (for a PhD in Sciences) and, subsequently, post-doc grant funded by the University of Louvain. Research activity: isolation and characterization of a mutant in the mitochondrial DNA polymerase in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cloning of the MIP (Mitochondrial DNA Polymerase) gene.
1982: Graduate Visiting Fellow, Technisch Chemisches Laboratorium, ETH Zentrum, Zurich, Switzerland. Research activity: problems related to polyphenol oxidases present in the organic matter.
1981 – 1982: Stage at Institute of Genetics of Microorganisms, University of Parma, Italy. Research activity: “Regulation mechanisms of lactate utilization in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae”.