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5000genomi@VdA ESF scholars

Meet our young researchers, granted with 5000genomi@VdA ESF scholarships, who contribute to bringing genomics and AI in the Aosta Valley!

A group of people who share a common goal can achieve the impossible!


AGATA Fant

computational genomics - 9C

ARIANNA De Arcangelis

cross-functional - 18 C/G

DEBORA Charrance

computational genomics - 13C

FEDERICA Furia

computational genomics - 1G

GIOVANNI Spirito

computational genomics - 4G

JORDY Bollon

computational genomics - 16C

MARICA Malerba

medical genomics - 2G

MATTEO Mongelli

cross-functional - 19 C/G

MICHELA Assale

computational genomics - 15C

STEFANO Marangoni

computational genomics - 14C

VITTORIA Perseghin

medical genomics - 8C
AGATA Fant

I am 27 years old and I come from… Udine!

I studied… Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Trieste.

My role in 5000genomi@Vda:

I am working on the development of bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data regarding patients with neurodegenerative diseases, in order to learn more about the genetic mechanisms underpinning them.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

a post-graduate opportunity to gain experience in bioinformatics, after having performed an internship for my Master’s degree dissertation at Burlo Garofolo Hospital in Trieste, which enabled me to learn and use specific software packages and to develop pipelines for the analysis of NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) data.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

personally, I hope to learn how to process and independently analyse large volumes of NGS data, and, for the entire scientific community, to contribute to the understanding of the causes of neurodegenerative diseases, laying the foundations for treatment and providing tangible support for doctors, both for improving diagnostics and for a better handling of disease.

My hobby is… travelling

The word that describes me best is… sensitivity

Something that is always part of my day is… a smile

My lifelong objective is… to do a job that I love, which gives me satisfaction and that can help other people

My motto is… “Carpe Diem!”

ARIANNA De Arcangelis

I am 28 years old and I come from… Messina!

I studied… Law at the University of Messina, and I took a Second-Level Master’s degree in personal data protection – data protection officer (DPO) and privacy expert

My role in 5000genomi@VdA:

I will be involved in the analysis of standards in the field of genomics/big data and the processing of sensitive clinical and genetic data in performing health services.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

5000genomi@VdA has been a source of great fascination for me, on the basis of its predetermined objectives and for the knowledge that I will be able to develop over the course of time: to me, this seemed to be the logical development of my academic and professional interests. In fact, my degree dissertation was dedicated to European and international legislation on personal data protection in the health sector. For my Master’s degree I looked at health tracking apps.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

I think that this sort of opportunity, with a team of young and brilliant people, is absolutely unique. It is a project that brings together different fields of science and, precisely because of this combination and interaction of diverse subject areas, I am sure that I will develop skills that would be difficult to find elsewhere. I have high expectations of what I will be able to learn, developing my knowledge of the world of science and the applications of technology for improving living conditions and health. I also hope to develop bonds of lasting friendship for both my professional and personal growth.

My hobbies are... everything that has to do with cinema and theatre, literature, politics, swimming and team sports

The word that describes me best is… reliable

Something that is always part of my day… music and reading newspapers

The objective that I would like to attain is… to be useful and to consider myself satisfied with what I have become, what I have done and the people around me. Living right on the sea so that I can swim every day

My motto is:Comu veni si cunta”, a Sicilian expression which means taking things as they come

DEBORA Charrance

I am 26 years old and I come from… Aosta!

I studied… Medical Biotechnology at the University of Turin

My role in 5000genomi@VdA:

I work on the bioinformatics analysis of genomic data obtained from DNA sequencing, starting from samples taken from cancer patients at the hospital in Aosta.

For me the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

an excellent opportunity for training, learning and growth that enables me to put into practice everything that I learnt during my university studies that I have recently completed. Without doubt, the project will enable me to develop my knowledge and skills, and it will represent an important starting point for my future career.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

the chance to work with people who share my passion for science and will therefore help my professional development, so that I can find out more about the world of research and extend my knowledge about DNA. In this way I will be able to make a small contribution to the development of personalised medicine.

My hobbies are… mountains and science

The word that describes me best is… precision

Something that is always part of my day… a good cup of coffee!

The objective that I would like to attain is… doing a job that I love and that enables me to put the theorical knowledge that I acquired at university into practice

My motto is… “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”

FEDERICA Furia

I am 27 years old and I come from... Aosta! 

I studied... Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Turin, and I have a Master’s degree in Forensic Genetics

My role in 5000genomi@VdA: 

I work on the bioinformatics analysis of genomic data obtained from DNA-sequencing on bioptic tissues from patients with oncological diseases.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is: 

a new and exciting opportunity to enhance my expertise, to put into practice what I learned during my studies, and to contribute to the world of research and diagnostics in the city where I was born and grew up.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA: 

the possibility of developing not just professionally but also from the personal point of view, by means of ongoing interaction with many professionals and the greatest experts in the field. 

My hobbies are... mountain trekking, climbing, other sports, reading and travelling

The word that describes me best is... sunny

Something that is always part of my day is... music 

My lifelong dream is… watching the northern lights in north Norway

My motto is... “Only those who dare may fly”

GIOVANNI Spirito

I am 30 years old and I come from… Trieste!

I studied… Medical Biotechnology at the University of Trieste. I have a PhD in Functional and Structural Genomics. During my scientific research career, I published an article in an international journal about the potential impact on human diversity of specific genomic sequences named ‘transposons’. Furthermore, I co-authored two articles on human genetics. One of my works won a prize as the best scientific poster at the conference “Target Validation Using Genomics and Informatics”.

My role in the 5000genomi@VdA project:

I will be working on the bioinformatic analysis of data obtained from the sequencing of DNA from patients suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

an opportunity to improve my expertise as a researcher and contribute to the development of personalised medicine through cooperation with professionals working in different subject areas.

What I expect from the 5000genomi@VdA project:

the possibility of exploring the genetic causes of neurodevelopmental diseases, with a particular focus on autism; and to understand how these are connected to the specific clinical manifestations. At the same time I will endeavour to publish the results of my research in high-impact scientific journals.

My hobbies are: music, weight training and literature

The word that describes me best is: nuance

Something that is always part of my day is... commitment

The objectives that I would like to attain are… publishing scientific papers and writing music

My motto is… “But how are you, mentally?”

JORDY Bollon

I am 27 years old and I am from... Aosta!

I studied... Statistical Methods at the University of Turin

My role in 5000genomi@VdA:

I work on dimensionality reduction and variables selection in genomic datasets: the objective is to apply advanced machine learning models in order to reduce the volume and complexity of the data available for the 5000genomi@VdA project, or to identify those variables that prove to be more informative than others.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

a great opportunity to enhance my expertise in the area of statistics and IT. In addition, as it is an extremely multidisciplinary environment, 5000genomi@VdA will enable me to expand my knowledge regarding other subject areas not specifically linked to my academic career.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

the chance to work with the various scholarship researchers involved in the project in order to complete all its predetermined objectives.

My hobbies are… athletics (middle distance) and theatre

The word that describes me best is… curiosity

Something that is always part of my day is... a run

The objective that I would like to attain is… to never stop learning

My motto is… “No pain, no beer!”

MARICA Malerba

I am 29 years old and I come from… Lecce!

I studied… Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Regenerative Medicine curriculum) at the University of Parma

My role in the 5000genomi@VdA project:

I am a member of the Oncogenomics team. More specifically, I will be assessing the correlation between histological analysis and genomic data of tumoral tissue samples, and I will be performing research activities in the area of cancer biology.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

an opportunity to enhance my knowledge and my expertise, especially in genomics and molecular biology. In fact, I have the chance to work in a technologically innovative environment, alongside expert researchers, developing relations with colleagues from different academic areas, thus enabling me to expand my knowledge and my social connections.

What I expect from the 5000genomi@VdA project:

the principal challenge for the 5000genomi@VdA project is to expand the use of genomics and bioinformatics in the healthcare system and therefore to combine the information obtained from patient DNA sequencing with clinical data, in order to improve diagnosis and the treatment of human diseases. I hope this project can be a starting point for progress in the area of personalised, predictive and preventive medicine in Italy, especially for the diseases that are occurring more and more frequently, with a high social and economic impact, such as neurodegenerative pathologies, neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer.

My hobbies are… music, singing, reading, hiking, vegetarian cuisine

The word that describes me best is… thoughtful

Something that is always part of my day is... listening to music

The objectives that I would like to attain are… to perform biomedical research and visit Nordic countries

My motto is… “Have the courage to learn” (R.L. Montalcini)

MATTEO Mongelli

I am 27 years old and I come from... Vercelli!

I studied… Psychology at the University of Turin, and I am currently studying for another degree in Political Sciences and International Relations at the Aosta Valley University

My role in 5000genomi@VdA:

the analysis of standards and organisational models for the market, with specific attention to relations between public institutions and private operators in health service provision.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

an important opportunity for professional growth, working in a multidisciplinary environment comprising colleagues with significant backgrounds.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

I hope that CMP3VdA could become an important research centre in Italy and (why not?) in international circles, attracting expertise from all over the country (and beyond), enabling further steps forward in the world of precision medicine.

My hobbies are… travelling, arts and architecture, food

The word that describes me best is… ambition

Something that is always part of my day is... reading the most important newspapers

The objectives that I would like to attain are… visiting all countries in the world, and achieving success in my professional career

My motto is… “The trains always arrive at your station. The question is: which one to take?” (Mehmet Murat Ildan)

MICHELA Assale

I am 28 years old and I am from... Aosta!

I studied... Biomedical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin

My role in 5000genomi@VdA:

I am working on the development of machine learning algorithms applied to genomic sequences. My focus will be on the analysis of genomic sequence variants and pattern recognition in order to find shared features in individuals affected by certain illnesses, above all oncological diseases.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

the opportunity to operate in the field of scientific research applied to medicine, in the region in which I was born, and the possibility of learning and accepting a challenge, working as part of an interdisciplinary team alongside other professionals such as physicians and bioinformaticians.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

the acquisition of multidisciplinary knowledge in the areas of machine learning, bioinformatics, genome structure and the diseases relevant to the project. In addition, I look forward to working in a challenging environment that will help my personal and professional development.

My hobbies are... trekking in the mountains, skiing, reading, travelling

The word that describes me best is... patience

Something that is always part of my day is... a book to read

The objectives that I would like to attain are… to make my own small contribution to biomedical scientific research, and to visit national parks in the United States

My motto is...Think positive

STEFANO Marangoni

I am 26 years old and I come from... Verona!

I studied... Quantitative and Computational Biology at Trento University

My role in 5000genomi@VdA:

as part of the Osservatorio Astronomico della Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, I will be involved principally in testing and comparing the various analytical methods applied to genomic data, using bioinformatics tools that are already present in the literature with the objective of providing a preliminary interpretation – from a biological viewpoint – of results generated by Machine Learning and Deep Learning models.

For me, the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

a challenge and a new experience that represents the chance to make a contribution to the advancement of personalised medicine, leading to innovation in a field that could represent the future of diagnostics. In addition, it offers an opportunity to become more familiar with a region that I have been visiting for 20 years, and to help the development of local scientific research.

What I expect from 5000genomi@VdA:

the chance to develop at both personal and professional levels, endeavouring to surpass my limits and make a substantial contribution to something that can lead to positive results for the common good and for scientific progress.

My hobbies are… woodcarving, making mead, historical fencing, tabletop gaming and videogaming

The word that describes me best is… carefree

Something that is always part of my day is... music that gives me renewed energy

The objective that I would like to attain is… to feel a sense of achievement

My motto is...Even if life is absurd, there are endless reasons for living it

VITTORIA Perseghin

I am 27 years old and I come from... Aosta!

I studied... Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Turin

My role in the 5000genomi@VdA project:

I will be working on the construction of a tissue bank, a clinical database for oncological diseases and the medical interpretation of clinical and genomic data.

For me the 5000genomi@VdA project is:

a challenge not to be missed, an opportunity to learn and acquire new skills, and the chance to work on an ambitious, important project for the treatment of very serious human diseases whose causes and mechanisms are still obscure.

What I expect from the 5000genomi@VdA project:

The acquisition of new and fundamental expertise in the field of medical genetics and molecular biology, more specifically in the field of oncological diseases. On a more general level, I hope to develop, together with Prof. Cavalli’s team, a more extensive knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the development of certain types of tumours and to investigate new possible targeted and personalised therapies for patients.

My hobbies are... I love music, I am an active member of the Corps Philharmonique de Chatillon in which I have been playing the trumpet – an instrument that I studied at the Aosta Conservatory – since I was young. In addition to music, and of course science, I love the mountains and skiing.

The word that describes me best is... dynamic

Something that is always part of my day is... a smile!

The objective that I would like to attain is… to become a researcher and make an important scientific discovery

My motto is...The higher you go, the further you see. The further you see, the longer you dream

© 5000GENOMIVDA

Italian health authorization n.7194 from 26/11/2021

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