Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I hold a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Molecular Biology from the University of Naples Federico II. During my BSc research project, I was involved in the lab work, but there was a key role that immediately captured my interest - a bioinformatician. At the time, I knew little about bioinformatics, but I was fascinated by it, especially because the bioinformatician was the one analysing our data and generating the results. In my MSc programme, I finally took a bioinformatics module and decided to dedicate much of my final research project to data analysis. Right around the time I graduated, a PhD programme in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology launched at the University Federico II of Naples. I applied, won a fellowship, and officially began my journey into bioinformatics. My fellowship also included a chance to spend part of my PhD abroad, which led me to an internship at EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute in Cambridge. That experience turned out to be transformative - what was initially a six-month visit became a year, then a postdoc, and eventually, a lecturer position. I’ve been in the UK ever since!
After completing my PhD, I spent five years as a postdoc at UCL and then the Crick in Professor Luscombe’s group. By the end of that postdoc, I started my own research group at King’s College London, in the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine led by Professor Fiona Watt. Today, I am a Senior Lecturer happy to lead an amazing group of talented young scientists, but I’m also the head of the Hub for Applied Bioinformatics, where I lead a team of senior bioinformaticians and coordinate outreach activities, and I am the Course Director for the MSc in Applied Bioinformatics.
What is a typical day like for you?
My job is something I’m passionate about, but being a mum is just as important to me, so I work hard to balance both roles. I organise my schedule to fit all my meetings in the mornings and early afternoons, leaving the later part of the day free for family time. In the evenings, once the kids are asleep, I often get back to work. I know these years with them are precious and fleeting, and I never want to look back and feel like I missed out. Finding this balance allows me to enjoy my time with them while still pursuing my career.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Plan your life but not too much. Life is unpredictable, and if you work hard and stay open to new opportunities, they’ll come your way, often when you least expect it. Be ready to adapt and refine your path as you go.
What do you do with your time outside academia/work?
My time outside of work is fully devoted to family. Weekends are filled with kids’ activities and birthday parties. For holidays, we usually head back to my hometown, Salerno, near the Amalfi Coast, or to New York, where my husband’s family lives. We feel lucky to come from such beautiful places and to visit them often, though we also love exploring new destinations whenever we can.
Who inspires you most and why?
Professor Fiona Watt has been one of my biggest inspirations as a woman in science. Working with her was an incredible privilege. She believed in me and trusted me enough to let me start my own group in the centre she led, which was a huge step in my career. Beyond her groundbreaking research, Fiona manages to balance an impressive career with being a mother of three, and she does it all with such energy and determination. Her example showed me what’s possible, and her support has meant the world to me.
What is something positive that happened to you over the last year?
2024 has been an incredibly special year for me, as two major projects I’ve worked on for the past couple of years finally became a reality: the launch of my new MSc programme (Applied Bioinformatics) and the opening of the Hub for Applied Bioinformatics. I was involved in these initiatives from the ground up, and it’s been so rewarding to see them come to life. Welcoming the first cohort of 42 students into the MSc programme was a proud moment, and watching the Hub space take shape - even after countless changes to the floor plans to accommodate all our activities - was incredibly fulfilling.
What is your favourite part of your role?
My favourite part of my role is helping scientists feel more comfortable with bioinformatics and coding. Through my lectures, workshops, and research collaborations, I support students in understanding what bioinformatics is and how to approach it without feeling intimidated. It’s incredibly rewarding to receive positive feedback and to know that many students have chosen to pursue bioinformatics after working with me. Of course, research is also a highlight - the role of bioinformaticians in research projects is becoming increasingly crucial, and I’m proud to lead the bioinformatics side of several groundbreaking scientific projects.
Quick-fire round
Favourite season: Summer
Favourite London restaurant: 50 Kalo’ pizzeria (if you haven’t tried it yet you should go)
Coffee order: if I’m in Italy, espresso, if I’m abroad, cappuccino ;)
One thing you could not go a day without: my coffee order