Sara Carloni | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Sara Carloni | Biology and Life Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Humanitas University, Italy

Dr. Sara Carloni is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at Humanitas University, Italy. Her career spans over a decade of cutting-edge research into microbial pathogenesis, microbiota-host interactions, the gut-brain axis, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A pivotal figure in translational microbiology, Dr. Carloni has contributed substantially to both experimental and clinical microbiology. Her breakthrough discovery of a choroid plexus vascular barrier associated with intestinal inflammation, published in Science (2021), has positioned her as a global leader in microbiota and neuroinflammation studies. As a corresponding or leading author on multiple high-impact publications and a frequent speaker at international conferences, she continues to influence the future of biomedical sciences.

Publication Profile 

Scopus

Orcid

Educational Background 🎓

Dr. Sara Carloni has cultivated a robust academic foundation in microbiology and biotechnology through progressive and interdisciplinary training across prestigious institutions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnologies in 2009 from a joint program between Università degli Studi di Milano and Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Spain. She then completed her Master’s degree in Biotechnology at Università degli Studi di Milano in July 2011. Driven by a keen interest in microbial research, she pursued a Ph.D. in Biological and Molecular Sciences with a specialization in Molecular Microbiology, which she completed in May 2015 at Università degli Studi di Milano. Following her doctorate, she engaged in several postdoctoral fellowships: first at Università degli Studi di Milano (2015), focusing on small RNA-mediated mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa; then at the European Institute of Oncology (2016–2017), investigating microbiota in intestinal and oncologic disorders; and subsequently at Humanitas University (2018–2021), where she delved into the gut-brain axis and intestinal inflammation. Her academic journey culminated in her appointment as Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (RTDA) at Humanitas University in 2021.

Professional Experience 💼

  • Assistant Professor (RTDA)
    Humanitas University (2021–Present)

    • Teaching and research in Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (MED/07)

    • Supervising PhD and MD students; leading microbiota and AMR research units

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
    Humanitas University (2018–2021)

    • Investigated gut-brain axis, choroid plexus, and intestinal inflammation

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
    European Institute of Oncology (IEO) (2016–2017)

    • Microbiota in IBD and tumorigenesis; explored colitis-brain interaction

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
    Università degli Studi di Milano (2015)

    • Studied quorum sensing and small RNAs in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Research Interests 🔬

  • Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) and Vascular Barriers

  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

  • Host-Microbiota Interactions

  • Microbial Metabolites and Neuroinflammation

  • Translational Microbiology

  • Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles (bEVs)

  • Artificial Intelligence in Microbial Diagnostics

Awards and Honors🏆✨

  • Invited Speaker at premier international conferences including:

    • Digestive Disease Week (2024)

    • ECCO Congress (2024)

    • Potsdam Symposium on Mucosal Immunology (2023)

    • IFHNOS World Congress Moderator (2023)

  • Leader of research units in:

    • PNRR-INF-ACT (One Health & AMR Surveillance)

    • PNRR-NBFC (Human Wellbeing & Microbial Biodiversity)

    • 5X1000 Humanitas (IBD and Psychiatric Comorbidities)

  • Visiting Professor, Institut Pasteur – Leadership in microbiota-host interaction and bEVs research

Conclusion🌟

Dr. Sara Carloni stands out as an innovative and collaborative microbiologist, contributing significantly to modern biomedical research. With over 19 peer-reviewed publications, an H-index of 11, and over 1200 citations, she merges basic science discoveries with clinical applications, particularly in AMR surveillance and gut-brain communication. Her multidisciplinary and translational approach places her at the forefront of microbiology, making her a strong contender for high-level research recognitions and global scientific leadership.

Publications 📚

  1. 🍼 Maternal gut microbiota influences immune activation at the maternal-fetal interface affecting pregnancy outcome
    🗞 Nature Communications
    📅 2025-05-09 | 🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58533-8
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Silvia Giugliano, Andrea Gatti, Martina Rusin, Tilo Schorn, Silvia Pimazzoni, Michela Calanni-Pileri, Valentina Fraccascia, Sara Carloni, Maria Rescigno

  2. 🧫 Epidemiology and resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from blood samples in septic patients at emergency department admission: A 6-year single-centre retrospective analysis from Northern Italy
    🗞 Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance
    📅 2025-03 | 🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.12.023
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Valeria Cento, Sara Carloni, Riccardo Sarti, et al.

  3. 🤰 Role of the maternal gut microbiota in immune activation at the maternal-fetal interface: Impact on preeclampsia
    📄 Preprint
    📅 2023-05-30 | 🔗 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2845955/v1
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Maria Rescigno, Silvia Giugliano, Sara Carloni, Tilo Schorn

  4. 🧠 Unveiling the gut-brain axis: Structural and functional analogies between the gut and the choroid plexus vascular and immune barriers
    🗞 Seminars in Immunopathology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1007/S00281-022-00955-3
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Sara Carloni, Maria Rescigno

  5. 🦠 Gut vascular barrier impairment leads to intestinal bacteria dissemination and colorectal cancer metastasis to liver
    🗞 Cancer Cell
    🔗 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.03.004
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Bertocchi, A., Carloni, S., et al.

  6. 🧠 Identification of a choroid plexus vascular barrier closing during intestinal inflammation
    🗞 Science
    🔗 DOI: 10.1126/science.abc6108
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Carloni, S., Bertocchi, A., et al.

  7. 🧪 SARS-CoV-2 serology in 4000 health care and administrative staff across seven sites in Lombardy, Italy
    🗞 Scientific Reports
    🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91773-4
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Sandri, M.T., Carloni, S., et al.

  8. 🧫 Complement C3aR loss drives colorectal cancer by modulating gut microbiota
    🗞 Journal of Immunology
    🔗 WOS: WOS:000589972400485
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Guglietta, Silvia, Carloni, Sara, et al.

  9. 🦠 Endogenous murine microbiota member Faecalibaculum rodentium and its human homologue protect from intestinal tumour growth
    🗞 Nature Microbiology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0649-5
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Zagato, E., Carloni, S., et al.

  10. 🧪 IgG serology in health care and administrative staff populations from 7 hospitals representative of different exposures to SARS-CoV-2 in Lombardy, Italy
    📄 medRxiv Preprint
    🔗 DOI: 10.1101/2020.05.24.20111245
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Sandri, M.T., Carloni, S., et al.

  11. 💩 Therapeutic faecal microbiota transplantation controls intestinal inflammation through IL10 secretion by immune cells
    🗞 Nature Communications
    🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07359-8
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Burrello, C., Carloni, S., et al.

  12. 🧬 The small RNA ReaL: A novel regulatory element embedded in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing networks
    🗞 Environmental Microbiology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.13886
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Carloni, S., Macchi, R., et al.

  13. 🦠 Post-transcriptional regulation of the virulence-associated enzyme AlgC by the σ²²-dependent small RNA ErsA of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
    🗞 Environmental Microbiology
    🔗 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12590
    👩‍🔬 Contributors: Ferrara, S., Carloni, S., et al.

 

 

 

 

Mersha Kassa | Biology | Best Innovation Award

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Mr. Mersha Kassa | Biology | Best Innovation Award

PhD candidate of Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia

Mersha Minwuyelet Kassa is a Ph.D. candidate in Biology Education at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. With over 12 years of experience as a teacher educator, he has played pivotal roles in academia and HIV/AIDS coordination at the college level. Mersha holds a Master’s degree in Biology from Bahir Dar University and has a strong research background in multimedia and dynamic classroom integrated instruction. He is also known for his innovative approach to teaching mathematics, as reflected in his publication, “Using Formula New Approach of Multiplication Table.” In addition to his teaching and research, Mersha has actively participated in several research teams and has presented his findings at international conferences. His work focuses on enhancing biology education through technology integration and addressing health issues within educational settings. 🌍📚

Publication Profile : 

Orcid

 

🎓 Educational Background :

Mersha Minwuyelet Kassa is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Biology Education at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, where he began his doctoral studies in March 2020. He earned his Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Biology from Bahir Dar University in July 2002 E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar), graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.82. Before that, he completed a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree in Biology from the same university in August 1999 E.C., with a GPA of 3.28. Mersha also holds a Diploma in Biology from Bahir Dar University, obtained in June 1987 E.C., following his completion of secondary education at Debrework Senior Secondary School in East Gojjam, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

💼 Professional Experience :

Mersha Minwuyelet Kassa has over two decades of professional experience in education, research, and leadership. Since November 2010, he has been a Lecturer at the College of Teachers Education, where he has contributed to the academic and professional development of future educators. Prior to this role, he worked as a Junior and High School Biology Teacher from September 1997 to November 2009 E.C., during which time he also taught preparatory school students. From 2003 to 2009 E.C., Mersha served as the HIV/AIDS Focal Person at Finote Selam College of Teacher Education, coordinating efforts to raise awareness and support HIV/AIDS prevention programs in collaboration with various NGOs. His leadership extended to serving as a research team member at the college from 2006 to 2007 E.C. He has shown a deep commitment to fostering educational development, conducting research, and engaging in community health initiatives.

📚 Research Interests : 

Mersha Minwuyelet Kassa’s research interests are primarily focused on improving educational outcomes through the use of technology and innovative teaching methodologies. His work includes exploring multimedia and dynamic classroom-integrated instruction, particularly in the teaching of biology. He is also interested in the intersection of health and education, as demonstrated by his research on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness among students. Mersha’s Master’s thesis examined the “Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Bacteria Isolated from Diarrheal Patients in Bahir Dar,” highlighting his interdisciplinary approach to both biology and public health. His publications and ongoing research contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of educational strategies and addressing critical health challenges in the education sector.

📝 Publication Top Notes :

  1. Mersha Minwuyelet (2014). Risk Factors and Role of Students to Prevent themselves from HIV/AIDS in Damot Preparatory School and Finote Selam. Proceeding of the National Research Symposium on Quality Education in Primary Schools 2011 – 2013, College of Teachers Education, Finote Selam, West Gojjam, Ethiopia, pp. 328 – 339.
  2. Mersha Minwuyelet (2018). Using Formula New Approach of Multiplication Table. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research and Engineering (IJASRE), Volume 4, Issue 8.
  3. Kassa, M. M., Azene, M. K., Mengstie, S. M., & Ferede, M. W. (2024). Effect of Using Multimedia and Dynamic Classroom Integrated Instruction on Grade 11 Students’ Biology Academic Achievement. Heliyon, Volume 10, Issue 18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37315.