Rosario Rizzuto

President of the National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology
Professor of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua

As President of the National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology, Prof. Rosario Rizzuto provides strategic leadership to one of Italy’s leading research initiatives in advanced biomedical innovation, dedicated to translating scientific discoveries into next-generation therapies. He also serves as President of Fondazione Cariparo and is Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Padua. Former Rector of the University of Padua (2015–2021) and former Director of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Prof. Rizzuto has held numerous leadership roles within the Italian and European higher education and research systems.

Recognized internationally as one of Italy’s foremost scientific leaders, Prof. Rizzuto has combined institutional leadership with an internationally distinguished research career in biomedical sciences. His work has focused on cell biology and intracellular calcium signaling, leading to fundamental advances in the understanding of cellular physiology and disease. He has authored more than 300 publications in leading international journals, including Science, Nature, and Cell, with an h-index of 112 (Scopus).

His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Chiara D’Onofrio Prize, the Biotec Award, the Theodor Bucher Medal, and the Antonio Feltrinelli Prize awarded by the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. He is a member of the Academia Europaea, the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the Galilean Academy of Arts, Letters and Sciences, the Veneto Institute of Sciences, Letters and Arts, and the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

Alessandra Didonè

Research Manager

Alessandra earned a PhD in the Study and Conservation of Archaeological and Architectural Heritage from the University of Padua in 2015. She holds an MA in Archaeology (2008) and a Diploma of Specialization in Archaeology (2010) from the same university. Before joining the Foundation, she worked as a researcher at the universities of Padua, Udine, and Rome La Sapienza. She has coordinated several university research projects and collaborated on national-funded (PRIN) projects.
As a Research Manager, Alessandra is responsible for overseeing the project’s financial progress, maintaining open communication with the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and related funded institutions. Her main role is to supervise research expenses while supporting the expense reporting of partnering institutions. Alessandra also manages the process of submitting project reports to the Ministry of University and Research and facilitates the input of central contracting authorities directed under the Ministry of Economy and Finance that support public administrations executing PNRR initiatives.

Martina Corte De Checco

Social Media & Communication Manager

After earning a BA in Languages, Literature, and Cultural Mediation from the University of Padua in 2021, Martina completed an MA in Journalism and Multimedia Communication at the University of Parma in 2024. Her thesis explored personal branding strategies in modern journalism through social media.

At the Foundation her work focuses on internal and external communication activities, with particular emphasis on communication strategy development, digital communication and the coordination of institutional communication initiatives. She contributes to the definition and implementation of integrated communication plans, ensuring consistency across channels through a multichannel communication approach.

She focuses on the planning and development of editorial formats for social media platforms, managing content creation activities, including the production of graphic and written materials, in line with communication objectives and brand identity.

She collaborates in the organization of institutional and networking events, managing relationships with key communication stakeholders, including press offices, communication managers from IRCCS, universities, companies and start-ups. She also manages relationships with partners and suppliers, contributing to the development and implementation of the National Center’s Community “Wave” through stakeholder engagement, communication activities and community-building initiatives.

Ellen Jane Corcoran

Communication Manager

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Ellen brings over 15 years of experience editing and managing scientific communications for international audiences. She specializes in English-language content, including presentations, speeches, brochures, websites, printed materials, and scientific reports.
At the Foundation, Ellen coordinates activities of the International Scientific Advisory Board and supports collaborations with international partners through clear and effective documentation.
Ellen holds a BFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, combining a strong visual background with a passion for science communication.

Laura De Cantis

PharmaTech Academy Manager

Laura obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and then a Master’s degree in Neuroscience at La Sapienza University of Rome in 2024. In July 2024, she completed the PharmaTech Academy training program funded by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) as part of the National Center’s educational initiatives. Before joining the Foundation, Laura gained experience within the organization through an internship offered by the Academy.
At the Foundation, Laura plays a key role in the technical and managerial coordination of PharmaTech Academy activities, while focusing on designing and supporting training programs, seminars, and conferences that foster dynamic knowledge exchange among students. She actively engages with a wide network of public and private stakeholders and collaborates daily with the University of Naples Federico II, working alongside both academic experts and corporate leaders involved in the PharmaTech program.
She has also contributed to the design and execution of high-impact science communication initiatives, such as Earth Day 2025 in Rome, helping to bring research closer to the public through accessible and engaging formats

Marina Nati

Research Manager

With a background in pharmaceutical biotechnology, Marina earned a PhD in Immunology and Metabolic Diseases from the Technische Universität Dresden in 2020.
Before joining the Foundation, she worked in the Scientific Directorate of the IRCCS University Hospital of Bologna, focusing on project development and coordination of clinical studies. She has over ten years of research experience, including involvement in European-funded projects (ERC).
At the Foundation, she provides operational support to various network affiliates and assists in the coordination and data management activities of the research project funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), contributing to its technical and scientific progress.

Marco Baccanti

External Consultant
Expert in IP and technology transfer issues

As an Industrial Chemistry graduate of the University of Milan and an MBA course participant at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, Marco Baccanti is the Managing Director of the Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT), which oversees the technological transfer of five major Italian research hospitals (IRCCS) with more than 2500 scientists. As the former Managing Director of ENEA Tech and Biomedical Foundation, Baccanti also acted as the CEO or Managing Director for several international government life science agencies, research and tech transfer organizations, science parks and biomedical companies.

Mariapaola Gammella

RNA Platform Facility Manager

Mariapaola earned her Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Naples Federico II. She continued her studies by attending the advanced training course PharmaTech Academy, promoted by the National Center for Gene Therapy and RNA-based Drugs, where she acquired knowledge related to the development and production of innovative medicines.
She gained professional experience working at a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the production of gene therapy drugs based on Adeno-Associated Viral vectors, developing skills in manufacturing and quality control with a particular focus on ATMPs, in accordance with cGMP guidelines.
As an RNA Platform Facility Manager for the Foundation, she works on the development and implementation of the RNA Facility. Specifically, she is responsible for establishing the Quality Management System (QMS) and Qualification processes in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Fabiola Ruolo

Technical Operations Consultant 

Fabiola obtained her Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Naples Federico II. Subsequently, driven by a growing interest in the pharmaceutical sector, she applied to the PharmaTech Academy program, an initiative promoted by the National Center aimed at training highly specialized professionals in the fields of gene therapy and RNA-based drugs. As part of the program, she carried out a three-month project at the same National Center, during which she gained skills in administration, management, and communication. This experience also allowed her to integrate a managerial and strategic vision into her scientific training, closely observing the collaboration between public and private entities and understanding the organizational and decision-making dynamics that guide complex projects. She currently provides technical and operational support and manages cost reporting for the Hub facility.