Let’s Celebrate Our New PhD Graduates: Anna Borrelli, Rossella Agostinis, Marianna Fico, and Arjun Padmanabhan!

We are delighted to celebrate Anna Borrelli, Rossella Agostinis, Marianna Fico, and Arjun Padmanabhan on the successful completion of their PhDs!
These young researchers have dedicated years of hard work and passion to advancing science, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.
To celebrate this important milestone and learn more about their journey, we interviewed them to hear about their experiences during the PhD.
We asked them the following questions:

• What was the main focus of your research during your PhD?
• During your PhD journey, what were the biggest challenges you faced? How did you manage to overcome them?
• Looking ahead, how do you envision your future after completing your PhD? Do you see yourself continuing in academia, moving into industry, or pursuing other career paths?

Through their answers, we hope to inspire anyone considering a career in research!
Let’s get to know them better below!

ANNA BORRELLI earned a PhD in Systems Medicine (SEMM) with a thesis titled “Pharmacological rescue of nonsense mutations in Cystic Fibrosis” in the Luis Galietta group. Her research focused on understanding the mechanisms underlying ion transport in epithelial cells. She primarily used molecular biology and electrophysiology techniques. 
A key aspect of her work involved CFTR, a chloride channel that is mutated in Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Loss-of-function mutations lead to the absence of this channel, disrupting chloride transport across epithelial surfaces. The respiratory epithelium is particularly affected, resulting in severe lung disease and chronic infections in CF patients. 
Anna focused her research on nonsense mutations, rare genetic alterations in which premature stop codons are introduced, leading to truncated, non-functional proteins. Currently, no therapies are available for these mutations. To investigate this, she conducted electrophysiological studies on patient-derived cells, primarily using the short-circuit chamber recording technique. 
Reflecting on her PhD experience, Anna describes it as entirely positive—she loved every aspect of her work. Having spent six years at TIGEM, she considers it her academic home, a place where she has grown both professionally and personally. “I feel like a daughter of TIGEM” she says. The institute also gave her the opportunity to present her research at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, an experience she deeply values. 
Looking ahead, Anna plans to continue her career in academia. She highly recommends the SEMM and GEM PhD programs offered by TIGEM and hopes to gain research experience abroad to further enrich her scientific journey. 

ROSSELLA AGOSTINIS ’ journey in science began with a degree in Evolutionary Biology, followed by a PhD in GEM (Genomics and Experimental Medicine) at TIGEM, in Gennaro Napolitano’s group. Her work focused on unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying DOORS syndrome, a rare genetic disorder with profound clinical implications. 
The PhD years were both intense and transformative. The early stages presented significant challenges, requiring perseverance, adaptability, and an unyielding commitment to discovery. Yet, rather than being discouraged, Rossella embraced every obstacle as an opportunity for growth. This experience not only honed her technical expertise but also shaped her into an independent and resilient scientist. 
Her research was conducted primarily in vitro, employing a range of biochemical and molecular biology techniques to dissect cellular processes. However, she recognizes that further in vivo studies will be essential to fully translate her findings into meaningful biological insights. Throughout her work, she developed a multidisciplinary approach, refining her analytical skills and deepening her understanding of disease mechanisms. 
Currently, Rossella holds a postdoctoral position in Napolitano’s lab, a role she will continue until the end of June. Looking back, she takes great pride in having trained at TIGEM, a center of excellence in Italian biomedical research. The diverse experiences she has gained have shaped her into a well-rounded scientist, confident in her ability to tackle complex scientific questions. 
As she looks toward the future, Rossella remains open to new opportunities. While academic research has been a fundamental part of her journey, she is intrigued by the prospect of transitioning into the industry, where she could apply her expertise to translational research and innovative therapeutic development. Whatever path she chooses, one thing is certain—her passion for science and discovery will continue to drive her forward. 

MARIANNA FICO earned a PhD in Genomics and Experimental Medicine (GEM) with a thesis titled "The Role of PITPNC1 in Controlling PI4P Homeostasis" in Antonella De Matteis' group. Her research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate phosphoinositide metabolism. 
In particular, she studied PITPNC1, a protein involved in multiple processes, including cell signaling and lipid metabolism, by facilitating the transfer of phosphatidylinositol – the precursor of all phosphoinositides – between different membrane compartments. This protein has been associated with various types of cancer, yet its biological function remains largely unknown. Marianna aimed to uncover its physiological role as well as its pathological implications when overexpressed. 
Her work led to the discovery that PITPNC1 plays a role in transferring phosphatidylinositol to lysosomes, a function that had not been previously identified. She also demonstrated that this protein is involved in the cellular response to lysosomal damage, a finding with significant implications, considering that lysosomes are potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. 
She primarily used cell biology techniques, including transfections, protein silencing, Western Blotting, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy.  
During her PhD, Marianna spent 3 months at the Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, where she was later offered a postdoctoral position. 
One of the challenges she encountered during her PhD was working independently on her project. While this required significant effort, she could always rely on her supervisor’s guidance and discussions with her lab-mates. Although it was sometimes difficult, especially when things didn’t go as expected, these interactions made the process more enriching. Over time, she grew more confident in managing her research, making it a rewarding experience. 
Looking ahead, Marianna plans to continue her research career in Geneva, further strengthening her expertise in lipidic metabolism and exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular processes and their implications for disease. 

 
ARJUN PADMANABHAN holds a master's degree in Applied Microbiology and has pursued a career as a microbiologist. After completing his degree in 2012, he spent several years working in the biopharmaceutical industry focusing on strain improvement by applying metabolic engineering, where he gained valuable experience in the field. Additionally, he further developed his laboratory skills through practical experience in clinical microbiology in a hospital setting. In 2019, he joined TIGEM after reading a paper by Alberto Auricchio, whose work deeply inspired him. He initially joined Auricchio’s group as a research fellow and, after a year, began his PhD in the Genomics and Experimental Medicine (GEM) program. "Working with Alberto and his group has been deeply motivating and has significantly shaped my scientific journey," he says. He successfully earned his doctorate with a thesis titled "AAV-HITI for Therapy of Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa." His research focused on genome editing in the retina, particularly in Retinitis Pigmentosa, a dominant inherited retinal disease (IRD). 
“Given the limited efficacy of conventional gene augmentation strategies for dominant inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), my PhD project focused on developing innovative in vivo genome editing strategies—specifically targeting dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa—to achieve more precise and durable therapeutic outcomes,” he explains.  
One of the most significant challenges he encountered during his PhD was adapting to a new country and navigating language and cultural differences. However, through persistence, dedication, and the invaluable support of his lab colleagues, he was able to gradually overcome these obstacles. 
Looking ahead, Arjun is eager to further his academic journey, with the hope of making thoughtful contributions to scientific research and discovery.