I completed my studies at the University of Milan (ITALY), first with a M.S. in Plant Biotechnology and then with a PhD in Plant Biology and crop productivity.
The plasticity of plant development has always fascinated me. For this reason, I decided to investigate Gene Regulatory Networks underlying the development of vegetative and reproductive organs in model species and cereal crops. Recently, I have focused my research on the crosstalk between phytohormones and regulatory genes in plant adaptation to climate change (e.g. elevated ambient temperature, water limitation, soil salinity). The long-term goal is to use novel findings to obtain plant varieties characterized by improved climate resilience.
Despite thinking of myself as a motivated biotechnologist, my interest for public engagement progressively swayed me towards the participation in different outreach activities. Among others, I developed my own science communication project and disseminated science using Social networks (@secretlifeofaplantbiologist).
I am currently a member of the Plantae fellow program and regularly contribute to Science News stories with summaries and graphical abstracts.