I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Parma and my master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics from the University of Milan. Following my graduation, I worked for one year as a research fellow at the Institute of Neuroscience of the National Research Council (CNR) in Milan, under the supervision of Dr. Alessandra Folci. I am currently a PhD student in Science and Technology for Advanced Therapies (STAT), curriculum Biomolecular and Biotechnological Sciences (CU3). My research activity is carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR in Milan, under the supervision of Prof. Federico Forneris and Dr. Alessandra Folci.

My PhD project focuses on the role of SUMOylation in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and homeostasis. SUMOylation is a dynamic and reversible post-translational modification that consists of the covalent attachment of SUMO proteins to lysine residues on target substrates. Through a finely tuned balance with deSUMOylation, this process represents a key mechanism for modulating mitochondrial proteins involved in fission, fusion, and mitophagy. The aim of this study is to understand how SUMOylation contributes to the regulation of mitochondrial homeostasis and functionality, as well as to identify novel potential mitochondrial SUMO targets, expanding the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms that preserve the integrity of this essential organelle.