Michela Ori

WORK EXPERIENCE

Present position Associate Professor in Cellular and Developmental Biology (Bio/06)

RESEARCH INTERESTS: 1. Developmental neurobiology using Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio (zebrafish) as model systems: functional analysis of genes regulated during brain aging and embryonic neurogenesis 2. Development of animal models for translational research in the field of neurodegenerative and genetic diseases

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

07/03/1997 Graduation (Laurea) 110/110 cum laude in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Pisa -January 2001, PhD defense. Mention: Exellent. Thesis: Functional role of the homeotic gene Hoxa2 during the cranial neural crest development using the Xenopus laevis as animal model. Supervisor: Prof. Irma Nardi, University of Pisa and Prof. F.M. Rijli IGBMC Institute, Strasbourg, France –
Practical Courses and Master : Cell & Developmental Biology of Xenopus Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL, New York, USA) 1999 - granted fellowship – "Animal models for Development and Disease” University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK European Molecular Biology Organization" (EMBO) 2004 - Course: "Zebrafish: an animal model in biomedical research", International Workshop, King’s College London - UK 2013

PREVIOUS POSITIONS
Nov. 01-Gen.02 Post doctoral Fellowship "Development Travel Fellowship" Prof. F.M. Rijli’s Lab. IGBMC, Strasbourg, France.
2001-2005 Postdoctoral Fellowship (Assegno di Ricerca) Department of Physiology and Biochemistry University of Pisa.
2005-2008 Young Group Leader position “Ricercatore in Formazione”, Department of Biology, University of Pisa
2008- 2014 Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Pisa

Awards 2001: Development Travelling Fellowship to spend a working period in the Laboratory of prof. F.M. Rijli, Institute of Biologique et Genetique Molecoulaire, (IGBMC) Strasbourg, France

2011: Prize “Young Researchers” University of Pisa



Communication skills DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: From 2012 Michela Ori took part in different scientific dissemination activities in primary and secondary school (Pianeta Galileo, Regione Toscana, Progetto Lauree Scientifiche, Ministero Istruzione, She also participated at “Bright Night of European Researchers" edition 2020 and 2022 by organizing a mini symposium and visit to the research Lab open to students and citizens.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
2014-: Advanced Course in Cell Biology for Master students in Cellular and Molecular Biology and students in Biomedicine, University of Pisa
2019- : Development and Differentiation of the Nervous System for Master students in Neuroscience, University of Pisa
2020- : Amimal experimentation and alternative methods: the 3Rs for Master students in Cellular and Molecular Biology and students in Biomedicine and Neuroscience University of Pisa

2015-2019: Cytology and Histology Course for bachelor students in Biological Sciences

Organisational / managerial skills INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES -Member of the steering committee of the Gei-Società Italiana di Biologia dello Sviluppo e della Cellula (Italian society for Cellular and Developmental Biology) -Member of the steering committee of "Centro 3R" (Italian inter-university center for the promotion of the 3Rs in teaching and research). -Member of the board for the PhD in Biology, University of Pisa - Member of the permanent committee for the bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Pisa
-Delegate for Department of Biology for students with learning disabilities (DSA)
Grants (last 10 years) -November 2010 – November 2014 Ministero della Salute - Progetto Giovani grant number GR-2008-1135643 “In vivo screening for genes inducing neural tumors and development of animal models for assaying innovative therapies for gliomas”. Michela Ori role: Principal Investigator of a research unit.
-May 2013- November 2015 Istituto Toscano Tumori - Grant 2010 “Use of in vivo model systems