My interest in STEM began in middle school, when I realized how naturally drawn I was to science. I enjoyed the idea that even the most complex questions had explanations waiting to be uncovered. As I grew older, I was drawn to solving problems and working through challenging puzzles. I was especially fascinated by biology, where each question felt like unlocking a deeper understanding of how life functions. What started as simple curiosity gradually became a genuine passion for discovery.
Your organization field and mission:
Aiming to understand molecular mechanisms of complex biological processes in health and disease. The institution is committed to contribute to innovation in medicine, by developing novel therapeutic and diagnostic methods, focusing on immunity and inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Please tell us briefly about your role in the company / at your organization:
My main research focus is the study of inflammation in the Central Nervous System (CNS). More specifically, I am interested in Multiple Sclerosis and the effect of inflammation on the CNS resident cells with ultimate goal to identify factors that induce a pro-regenerative profile to be used as a therapeutic strategy.
Your interest in STEM
My first role model was my science teacher, whose ability to explain complex ideas with clarity and enthusiasm deeply inspired me. The way she made difficult concepts feel accessible showed me that science isn’t just about memorizing facts, but it’s about understanding and curiosity. Today, many people inspire me; some well-known, others mentors and researchers I’ve met personally. What connects them is not their recognition, but their passion for science and their strong sense of ethics. I admire the way they pursue discovery with curiosity, integrity, and perseverance.
Your studies
One of my biggest challenges has been narrowing my focus. I am genuinely curious about many areas of biology, and I often want to explore every question that interests me. While this curiosity drives me, I have learned how to prioritize and commit to exploring certain topics more deeply.
Perseverance and integrity.
You at work
An Equity and Anti-Discrimination Committee was established in 2021to promote gender equality, combat discrimination and prevent all forms of harassing behavior. The committee also participate in nationwide networks to discuss awareness policies, monitoring progress, provide support and policy recommendations.
I am most proud of the technical skills I have developed over the years. My experiences have strengthened my ability to approach complex biological problems from different perspectives and use appropriate techniques to address each challenge effectively. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to learn new methodologies, as it has been instrumental in my growth.
Your point of view
Technology can facilitate greater access to education, enabling women not only to gain knowledge and skills, but also to have a platform to promote equality beyond geographical and social barriers. Furthermore, it creates opportunities for innovation and active participation in shaping the future.
Perseverance and integrity.
I would like DEIS principles to be fully integrated into academic culture, so that they are no longer discussed as separate initiatives but are simply part of everyday practice.
To finish with
My values are curiosity, integrity, perseverance, inclusion, and objectivity. I believe science should be guided by ethical responsibility, sustained by persistence, and enriched by diverse perspectives. I also value objectivity and the ability to remain independent in my thinking, resisting external pressure in order to ensure that decisions and conclusions are grounded in evidence and principle.
One of my future challenges will be maintaining my integrity and commitment to evidence-based principles, even in environments where science is underfunded or influenced by external interests. Staying true to ethical standards and objectivity, despite such pressures, will be essential to my professional development.
By 2030, I hope to continue working in academia, conducting research to the highest scientific and ethical standards.
The current activity has been implemented in the framework of the Project: Code4Europe,
GA Number: 101158834. Official project website : https://codeweek.eu/