Meet the BLUES researchers: Serena Federico

Our "Meet the Researchers" campaign continues - every once in a while, we are spotlighting one of our team members and friends in the project, shedding light on their academic training, their research topics, and the unique qualifications they bring to BLUES. We believe it's important to showcase the efforts of these professionals to advance their field and truly make a change in the world - and who knows, perhaps inspire a new generation of scientists! 

Today, we're introducing Serena Federico, one of our colleages at the Università degli Studi di Genova. Born and raised between Capri and Naples, she is now affiliated to the Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV) of the Genovese university. 

Serena began her academic journey at the University of Naples Federico II, where she obtained a Master's degree in Biology and Ecology of the Marine Environment and the Sustainable Use of Its Resources. She recently completed her PhD jointly at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (Naples) and the University of Genoa, focusing on the biotechnological applications of marine sponges and innovative technologies for an environmentally friendly approach. It was during her doctoral research that she developed an interest in marine porifera and sustainable ways to retrieve bioactive compounds from them - which is exactly what we do. 

In BLUES, Serena is involved in research connected to the development and optimisation of sponge cell culture systems, contributing to the advancement of sustainable marine biotechnological application under the supervision of Professors Pozzolini and Giovine.