My research investigates biological mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of affective disorders, employing a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates diverse brain imaging modalities (such as quantitative MRI, MRS, PET) within experimental paradigms to study neurometabolic and neuroimmune alterations in people suffering from disabling affective symptoms. This works aims to generate mechanistic knowledge and also informs the development of novel treatment targets and approaches to rescue such abnormalities.

I have both a clinical and academic background. I graduated in Medicine at University of Milan (2004) and completed specialist training in Psychiatry in Milan (2008) and at the Maudsley General Adult Psychiatry Higher training programme in London. My research interests stem from academic experience in disciplines such affective neuroscience, neuroimaging, neuropsychopharmacology, neuroimmunology and metabolic psychiatry through doctoral and post-doctoral positions at Maastricht University (2005-09), Imperial College London & Imanova/invicro (2009-13), and King’s College’s IoPPN (2013-16). I have been in the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, at BSM, University of Sussex since late 2016.

My clinical roles include being consultant psychiatrist in OpCourage, Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, a NHS mental health specialist service dedicated to provide specialist clinical care for military veterans, and Consultant & clinical lead for the SPFT Immunopsychiatry Research clinic, an innovative specialist service focusing on interactions between mood disorders and inflammation.