About Paola Tognini Lab
We are a neurobiology laboratory dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of brain-body communication. Specifically, we focus on the role of gut microbiota in brain plasticity, and how diet and metabolic changes affect neural function and behavior. Our mission is to contribute to the development of effective and innovative therapies for neurological disorders.
As a leading research lab in the field of Neuroscience, we take pride in our team of dedicated scientists. Our team is composed of experts in various disciplines, including microbiology, neuroimaging, molecular biology and behaviour. We work collaboratively to achieve our research goals and to advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the brain-gut axis.
The Team
Our team comprises passionate and highly motivated young scientists. We foster a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, with each member bringing specific expertise to the team.
Paola Tognini
Lab PI
Dr. Paola Tognini is a renowned neurobiologist with over 20 years of experience in the field. She received her Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the Scuola Normale Superiore (Pisa, Italy) and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Tognini's research focuses on exploring how endogenous signals coming from the body could impact brain function and behavior.
Maria Grazia Giuliano
Post-doctoral researcher
Dr. Maria Grazia Giuliano is a Post-doc at Paola Tognini Lab. She received her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Queen Mary University of London, UK, with Dr. Christoph Engl studying bacterial adaptive responses to changing environments. Dr. Giuliano's research focuses on the microbiome and circadian rhythms implications in neurodevelopmental diseases such as CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
Andrea Tognozzi
PhD student
Andrea Tognozzi is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical and Translational Science within the Paola Tognini Lab. His research focuses on exploring the impact of diet on both physiological and behavioral functions as a key component of his Ph.D. project. Additionally, he is delving into the examination of potential circadian rhythm dysregulation in CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
Sara Cornuti
Research Fellow
Sara Cornuti was awarded a 4-year PhD fellowship at Scuola Normale Superiore, and she has been a member of Tognini's lab since 2019. Her primary focus is on comprehending the epigenetic and cellular mechanisms involved in the communication between the gut microbiota and the brain. Recently, she has delved into investigating how the microbiota influence microglial cell dynamics, leading to specific behavioral outcomes.
Francesca Damiani
PhD Student
Francesca Damiani holds a 4-year PhD scholarship from Scuola Normale Superiore. She is interested in the role of the gut-microbiota-brain axis in critical period plasticity, and postnatal neural developmental trajectories. Her mission is to improve the quality of life for CDKL5 deficiency disorder patients through novel therapeutic strategies targeting the intestinal microbiota.
Giulia Tiozzo
Master Student
Giulia Tiozzo is a master's student conducting research at Paola Tognini Lab. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biological Science from the University of Pisa, where she is currently pursuing her master's degree in Biology Applied to Biomedical Sciences.
Giulia's research focuses on the discovery of metabolites which could mimic the effects of intermittent fasting on mouse metabolism, learning and memory and axiety-like behaviour.
Matteo Alberti
Master Stduent
Matteo Alberti is a master's student conducting research for his thesis at Paola Tognini Lab. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biological Science from the University of Pisa, where he is currently pursuing his master's degree in Biology Applied to Biomedical Sciences. In addition, Matteo is a Biology student at Scuola Normale Superiore, an institution known for academic excellence, admitting only the top-performing students.
Matteo's research focuses on unraveling the molecular basis of the impact of diet on social behavior.
Past members:
Edda Grilli,
Ornella Xynomilakis,
Matteo Caldarelli,
Amanda Bianchi,
Martina Nasisi,
Manuel Tongiani