Sandra Moreno

Sandra Moreno is Associate Professor at the Department of Biology, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy; she is also Director at the Master Program “Applied Human Embryology”, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy and Group Leader of the Developmental Biology Lab, University Roma Tre and of the Developmental Neurobiology, Neurogenetics and Molecular Neurobiology Lab, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia.

Nationality

Italian

Education

PhD in "Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis", with honors, University of L’Aquila, Italy (1994)

BS/MS in "Biological Sciences", with Honors, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy (1990)

Fields

Neuroscience

Institutions

Group Leader, Laboratory of Neurodevelopmental Biology, Neurogenetics and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, Rome, Italy

Director, Master Program “Applied Human Embryology”, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy.

Group Leader, Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy.

Notes

Top Italian Scientist in Neurosciences & Psychology

Present positions

• Associate Professor
  • Comparative Anatomy & Developmental Biology
  • Molecular Neurodevelopmental biology

• Director
  • Master Program in Human Applied Embryology

• Group Leader
  • Developmental Biology Lab, University Roma Tre
  • Developmental Neurobiology, Neurogenetics and Molecular Neurobiology Lab, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia

Education

• 1994: PhD in "Cell Differentiation and Morphogenesis", with honors, University of L’Aquila, Italy

• 1991: National Licensure "Biology", La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

• 1990: BS/MS in "Biological Sciences", with Honors, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

Faculty appointments

• 2020-present: Group Leader, Laboratory of Neurodevelopmental Biology, Neurogenetics and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, Rome, Italy

• 2018-present: Director, Master Program “Applied Human Embryology”, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy.

• 2017-present: Full Professor Qualified, as per the National Scientific Qualification (ASN)

• 2017-present: Group Leader, Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

• 2014-present: Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy.

• 2001-2014: Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Roma Tre University, Rome Italy.

Research positions

• Nov 2022: Visiting Professor, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.

• Nov 2021: Visiting Professor, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.

• Feb-Mar 2020: Visiting Professor, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.

• Nov 2019: Visiting Professor, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, UTMB, Galveston, TX, USA.

• Oct 2006: Visiting Scientist, Laboratorio de Neurobiologìa de la Audiciòn, Salamanca, Spain.

• Nov 2005: Visiting Scientist, Department of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.

• Oct 2005: Visiting Scientist, Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.

• Oct-Nov 2003: Visiting Scientist, Department of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.

• May 2002: Visiting Scientist, Department of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.

• 1997 – 2001: Research Technician, Department of Biology, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

• 1995 – 1997: Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Biology, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy.

• Jan-Dec 1992: PhD student, Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, U.S.A.

Scientific activity

Dr. Moreno’s scientific activity is documented by 84 peer-reviewed publications (total Impact Factor 270, h-Index 32, total citations 8,244, according to Scopus) and numerous presentations at international meetings. Research interests, mostly in the neuroscience field, are as follows:

• Role of peroxisomes in health and disease, including neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. Multiple molecular and morphological approaches are utilized to study peroxisome biogenesis and metabolism, in developing, adult, aging and degenerating central nervous system (CNS), with special reference to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

• Cell death vs. survival pathways in CNS development and neurodegenerative processes. The role of apoptosis, and autophagy in the nervous system is being investigated in in vivo and in vitro models of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD and ALS.

• Involvement of antioxidant response in neurodegeneration and neuroresilience. The regulatory role played by peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) and their cofactor PGC1α in brain oxidative stress management is studied with reference to energy metabolism pathways involving peroxisomes and mitochondria, in AD and in Non-Demented with Alzheimer’s pathology individuals” (NDAN).

• Study of pathomechanisms underlying rare neurodevelopmental disorders, by induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) technology. We focus on Riboflavin Transporter Deficiency (RTD) and PCHD19, which have severe neurological implications. Patient-specific iPSCs and derived motor neurons are being investigated, with special reference to cytoskeleton, mitochondria and peroxisome dysfuntion, thanks to a collaborative effort with research groups based at Bambino Gesù Hospital.

For the above goals, combined neuromorphological and molecular approaches are utilized, including development of innovative strategies for ultrastructural investigation (e.g., FIB/SEM).

Financial support

Active support

• 2022-present: Participant to the project PNRR-MAD-2022-12375639, “Involvement of neuroprotective mechanism(s) of neuroglobin on aberrant functions related to chronic neurological diseases (988.800,00 €, funded by European Community and Health Ministry, according to the “National Recovery and Resilience Plan”).

• 2021-present: 'Principal Investigator of the project A0375-2020-36668 AMETISTA “Metabolic alterations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: identification of new diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic target”, granted by LazioInnova (149.976,75 €, funded by Regione Lazio)

• 2020-present: Principal Investigator of the project Go for IT “Development of innovative therapeutic approaches against tau protein oligomers, biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease”, granted by Fondazione CRUI (30,000 €).

• 2018-present: Participant to “Excellence Departmental Project” on Antropocene, (Task 4: “Study of the mechanisms of neurodegeneration induced by pollutants in the atmosphere”).

• 2001-present: Principal Investigator of the project "Contribution to Laboratories and Research Activity" (CLAR) granted by Roma Tre University (2,500 €/year).

Completed support

• 2017: Annual Individual Financial Support granted by MIUR on a national competitive basis (30% Associate Professors awarded) (3,000 Euros).

• 2017: Principal Investigator of the project “International Research and Teaching Program for Doctoral Schools”, granted by Roma Tre University, for financing the Research Program on “Development of the Oesophageal Musculature”, in collaboration with Prof. Boris Kablar, MD, Ph.D. (Dalhousie School of Medicine, Halifax, Canada) (5,000 Euros).

• 2012-2013: Principal Investigator of the project "Consequences of age-related genomic instability on peroxisomal metabolism: Role of oxidative stress", granted by Roma Tre University in the context of the International Research and Training Program (12,000 Euros).

• 2011: Principal Investigator of the project “International Research and Teaching Program for Doctoral Schools”, granted by Roma Tre University, for financing the invitation and the scientific collaboration of Prof. Boris Kablar, MD, Ph.D. (Dalhousie School of Medicine, Halifax, Canada).

• 2007-2010: External collaborator to the project “SOD1-linked familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: novel strategies to rescue mitochondrial damage in motor neurons” (P.I. Prof. Maria Teresa Carrì), granted by Telethon (N. GGP07018),

• 2005-2008: Participant in the project “Integrated Project to decipher the biological function of peroxisomes in health and disease” (P.I. Johannes Berger; AnnaMaria Cimini), granted by the European Commission (Sixth Framework Programme, Contract No. PL512018).

• 2002-2004: Participant in the project “Effect of beta-amyloid on the production of nitric oxide (NO) constitutively generated in glial and neuronal cells in vitro” (P.I. Prof. Hisanori Suzuki; Prof. Marco Colasanti), granted by Italian Ministry of Education and Research (MIUR) (Prot. 2002063972_002).

• 1996-2000: Participant in the European Biomed Concerted Action "Peroxisomal Leukodystrophy"; Contract grant number: BMH4 CT96-1621 DGXII.

Editorial positions and reviewing activity

• Academic Editor
  • Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
  • Brain Sciences
  • RIVER - Research Innovation View Embryology Reproduction

• Associate Editor
  • American Journal of Neurodegenerative Disease

• Guest Editor
  • Current Alzheimer Research Mini-Thematic Issue “Signaling Molecules As Biomarkers And Therapeutic Targets For Alzheimer's Disease: A New Perspective” (2018)

• Books Reviewer
  • McGraw-Hill (Milano), Andreuccetti et al. (2009) “Biologia dello Sviluppo”

• Reviewer
  • Over 20 international journals

• Ad Hoc Reviewer (Grants)
  • 2015: University Tor Vergata. Consolidate the Foundations 2015. Research Proposal « Mitochondria and autophagy in degenerative synapses» (Code: 2225).
  • 2015: University Tor Vergata. Consolidate the Foundations 2015. Research Proposal «Dissecting the molecular mechanisms of ER-stress» (Code: 1743).
  • 2014: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Research Council. Research Proposal «Peroxisomal Lipid and ROS signalling in mammalian cells» (OT/14/100).
  • 2010: FRIA (Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture), for PhD programs, Universitè Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.

Academic committees and activity

• 2019-present: Member of the Permanent Didactic Committee for Biology BS and MS programs, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

• 2010-present: Member of the Committee for Orientation in Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

• 2007-present: Member of the Committee of the PhD Program in Biology, Section "Biology Applied to Human Health", Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

• 2011: Member of the Committee for the admittance to Biological Sciences course, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

• 1997-2001: Chief of Technical Service for the Dept. of Biology, Interdepartmental Laboratory (LIME), Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

Professional memberships and activities

• Società Italiana Embriologia Riproduzione e Ricerca (SIERR) Elected Member of the Scientific Committee

• Society for Neuroscience (SFN) Regular Member

• Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Regular Member

• Società Italiana di Neuroscienze (SINS) Regular Member

• Gruppo Embriologico Italiano (GEI) Regular Member, Member of the Scientific Committee and of the Organizer Committee for LXIII Meeting, June 2017, Rome, Italy

Search Committees

• 2021: Member of the Examining Committee for a Researcher position, Biology Department, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy

• 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022: Member of the Examining Committee for the admittance to Roma Tre University PhD programs (Molecular, Cellular and Environmental Biology, Biology Applied to Human Health), Rome, Italy.

• 2008: Member of the Examining Committee for an Assistant Professor position, Faculty of Biotechnologies, University of L’Aquila, Italy.

• 2007: Member of the Examining Committee for the evaluation of research and teaching activity of Dr. Andrea Di Giulio as an Assistant Professor for confirmation of his tenure position.

• 2007: Member of the Examining Committee for an Assistant Professor position, Faculty of Sciences, “Tor Vergata” University, Rome, Italy

• 2004: Member of the National Committee for the PhD final examination in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of L’Aquila.

• 2001: Member of the Examining Committee for an Assistant Professor position, Faculty of Sciences, University of Milan, Italy.

Teaching and mentoring activities

Teaching

• 2020-present: Co-Course Leader for the undergraduate Course in Cell Biology & Genetics, Dept. of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2018-present: Course Leader for the graduate Course in Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dept. of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2014-present: Course Leader for the graduate Course in Neurodevelopmental Biology, Dept. of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2012-present: Course Leader for the undergraduate Course in Comparative Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Dept. of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2015-2019: Course Leader for the graduate Course in Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Dept. of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2007-2015: Course Leader for the graduate Course in Molecular Mechanisms in Developmental Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2001-2014: Collaborator for the undergraduate course in Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2006-2012: Course Leader for the undergraduate Course in Comparative Anatomy and Embriology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2003-2007: Course Leader for the graduate Course in Developmental Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 2001-2006: Course Leader for the undergraduate Course in Embryology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 1997-2001: Member of the examining Committee for the undergraduate course in Developmental Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 1993-1997: Teaching Assistant for the undergraduate course in General Biology with elements of Genetics, Istituto Superiore di Educazione Fisica, Cassino, Italy.

Thesis Advisor for

• 23 BS Students

• 19 MS/BS Students

PhD Students supervisor

• 2022-current: Martina Terricola

• 2019-current: Chiara Marioli

• 2017-2020: Fiorella Colasuonno

• 2016-2020: Rossella Borghi

• 2016-2019: Alessia Niceforo

• 2014-2017: Pamela Rosso, Chiara Scopa

• 2013-2016: Anna Fracassi

• 2012-2015: Barbara D'Orio, Luana Barone

• 2009-2012: Franco Capozza

• 2008-2011: Sara Sepe

• 2008-2011: Francesca Fanelli

• 2007-2010: Angela Lanciotti

• 2002-2005: Valentina Imbroglini

Post-docs

• 2021-current: Maurizio Muzzi

• 2020-current:Rachel Price

• 2019-2020: Fiorella Colasuonno

• 2016-2017: Anna Fracassi

• 2015-2016: Luana Barone

Invited seminars

• “Cellule staminali pluripotenti umane: alla ricerca di base alle applicazioni biomediche”. 11 maggio 2022, Dipartimento di Bioscienze e Territorio, Università del Molise, Pesche (IS).

• “Stem cells: an overview”. Master di II livello in Biologia e Biotecnologie delle Riproduzione: Dalla Ricerca alla Clinica, 3 febbraio 2022 Università di Pavia.

• “Peroxisomes in health and disease: A role in neurodegeneration". Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston (TX, USA), 27 ottobre 2019.

• “Early neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease: role of caspase 3 and involvement of peroxisomes”. Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, NL, February 14, 2011.

• Presentation of the Faculty of Sciences of Roma Tre University. Liceo “Giulio Cesare”, Roma, February 2, 2011.

• “Cell death processes: from morphology to biochemical mechanisms”. Pathological Anatomy Department, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Roma, February 22, 2010.

• “Abnormal cerebral development in an Apaf1 mouse mutant”. University of L’Aquila, June 22, 2006.

• “Role of the apoptosome in CNS development: a neuromorphological study of an Apaf1 mutant mouse model”. Institute of Neuroscience, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA, 13 ottobre 2005.

• “Neuronal death in a mouse model of Huntington's chorea”, Roma Tre University, March 17, 2004.

• “Five years of biological research at the LIME: transmission electron Microscopy", Roma Tre University, December 4, 2003.

• “Neurodegeneration in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington’s disease”. Dept. of Otolaryngology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA, May 29, 2002.

• “Neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Huntington's chorea: Role of tissue transglutaminase". University of L’Aquila, October 23, 2002.

Conference panel and meeting organization

• 2022: Chairperson for the Meeting XVI Giornate di andrologia e medicina della riproduzione. October 6-7, Sabaudia (LT), Italy.

• 2021: Chairperson for the Meeting XV Giornate di andrologia e medicina della riproduzione. October 7-8, Sabaudia (LT), Italy.

• 2021: Chairperson for the workshop “To be embryologist”. July 9, Ferrara, Italy.

• 2020: Discussant for the Meeting XIV Giornate di andrologia e medicina della riproduzione. October 15-16, Sabaudia (LT), Italy.

• 2019: Discussant for the Meeting XIII Giornate di andrologia e medicina della riproduzione. October 3-4, Sabaudia (LT), Italy.

• 2018: Chairperson for the Meeting XII Giornate di andrologia e medicina della riproduzione. October 4-5, Sabaudia (LT), Italy.

• 2017: Organizer of the LXIII GEI Meeting, June 12-15, Rome, Italy

• 2008: Organizer of the PhD student Meeting “Muscolar Differentiation in normal e pathological conditions” (Speakers: Proff. M.T. Carrì, “Tor Vergata” University, Rome, Italy; B. Kablar, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; F. Protasi, Chieti University, Italy). Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 1999: Coordinator of the “Course of Professional Training in Electron Microscopy”, granted by Tecnofarmaci company, LIME, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.

• 1998: Coordinator of the "Course of Immunohistochemical and Immunoelectron microscopic Tecniques" for the PhD program in Biology, LIME, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.