Could you tell us a bit about yourself? What is your background?
I am an Italian researcher with a deep passion for autophagy and Drosophila!
My journey into studying autophagy in fruit flies started unexpectedly during my PhD, and I have been dedicated to it ever since!
What will you work on in FINALphagy?
I am uncovering the mechanisms regulating this relatively unexplored phase, autophagy termination. In detail, I plan to explore autophagy kinetics and identify key regulators of the final phase. To achieve this goal, I am using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system and cutting-edge methods like live imaging of larvae.
What are your expectations for working on this project?
My main expectation is to pioneer novel insights into the autophagy pathway, contributing to a deeper comprehension of this mechanism. In this project, I want to lay the foundation for future discoveries useful to treat diseases with impaired autophagy such as cancer and neurodegeneration.
Could you tell us about an achievement you're particularly proud of in your career?
One of the most fulfilling moments in my career is witnessing the change in students' faces when they grasp the intricacies of the autophagy pathway. That is a true source of motivation!
I also cherish the day I gave a popular science talk that made me re-evaluate the importance of science communication to non-experts. Making science available to everyone has become one of my greatest accomplishments and aspirations!