Team

Prof. Paolo Armando Gagliardi, group leader  

Paolo graduated in biomolecular sciences in 2007, and obtained a PhD in Molecular Medicine in 2012 both at the University of Torino in the group of Prof. Luca Primo, studying the role of the kinase PDK1 in breast cancer. From 2014 to 2016, Paolo was supported by an AIRC postdoctoral fellowship to study the role of PDK1 in KRAS-mutated tumors. To continue his postdoctoral training, in 2017 he moved to the group of Prof. Olivier Pertz at the University of Bern in Switzerland. There he studied the dynamics of the RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways in epithelial biology, embryo development, and cancer-associated mutations. He learned to use state-of-the-art technologies to study signaling dynamics in single-cells, including fluorescent biosensors, optogenetics, automated microscopy, automated image and data analysis. Since 2024, Paolo is associate professor in biochemistry in the Department of Oncology at the University of Torino, and since 2026 he is visiting group leader at the Italian Institute of Genomic Medicine.  In the free time Paolo likes running, hiking and spend time with his young family. 

Google scholar, ORCID, Research Gate, University of Torino 

Hagar Salah Mahmoud Youssef, PhD student

Hagar obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from October 6 University in 2015, graduating at the top of her class with honors, and later completed a Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Al-Azhar University. During her Master’s, she worked on cancer cell models, focusing on microRNA transfection and cellular regulation. Hagar has experience in teaching and mentoring students, having worked as both a Teaching Assistant and later a Lecturer Assistant in the Biochemistry Department at October 6 University, supporting practical classes and laboratory activities. Her research experience includes cell culture, molecular biology techniques, and data analysis, with contributions to projects in cancer biology, including studies on microRNAs and cytoskeletal proteins. In the Cancer cell dynamics lab, she is working on developing and implementing single-cell data analysis approaches to study the dynamics of ERK and AKT signaling in KRAS mutated cells, in response to drug combinations between KRAS inhibitors and other drugs. Outside the lab, she enjoys drawing, reading, and spending time with her family.

Google Scholar, University of Torino

Alice Pistone, Research assistant

Alice obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2023 and completed her Master’s degree in Molecular Biotechnology in October 2025, both at the University of Turin. During her Master’s thesis internship in the Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Oncology at the Molecular Biotechnology Center of Turin, she investigated the effects of a novel PTPN1/2 phosphatase inhibitor on ALK-positive lymphoma cells resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gaining solid experience in cancer research, in vitro assays, and drug testing on cancer cell lines. In the Cancer Cell Dynamics Lab she contributes to the AIRC-funded project aimed at leveraging single-cell and collective ERK dynamics to advance drug combination strategies for KRAS-mutated cancers. Her work combines experimental and computational approaches, focusing on the generation and analysis of stable cell lines and patient-derived organoids (PDOs) expressing fluorescent biosensors for ERK activity, apoptosis, and cell cycle using live-cell fluorescence microscopy. Outside the lab, Alice has also worked as educator with children and young students and in the free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling and practicing sports.