Carmen Longo, PhD candidate in Biomolecular Medicine, and Mirko Zoncapè, PhD candidate in Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences, are the winner and co-winner of the tenth edition of the “Gianesini Emma Fund” call for applications.
The initiative is promoted by UniCredit Foundation and the University of Verona, thanks to the generous donation of Mrs. Gianesini.
The initiative is promoted by UniCredit Foundation and the University of Verona, thanks to the generous donation of Mrs. Gianesini. Each research grant, worth €50,000, will allow the recipients to undertake an advanced research experience abroad in the medical field, under the supervision of professors from the University’s School of Medicine and Surgery.
Research Projects
The project proposed by Carmen Longo, titled “Engineering of Human Retinal Organoids for the Study and Treatment of Hereditary Retinal Diseases”, aims to develop a reliable and reproducible in vitro model that closely mimics human retinal tissue, both physiologically and morphologically. The model will be used for the characterization of hereditary retinal diseases and for screening potential treatments.
At the center of Mirko Zoncapè’s research project is MASLD — the world’s most common chronic liver disease, affecting both adults and children. The goal is to investigate the changes occurring in resident and circulating immune cells that drive the progression of the disease.