I am originally from Palermo, Italy. After having graduated at the University of Palermo in Biotechnology, I decided to move to Germany, where I trained in the lab of Prof Lichtenthaler at the DZNE in Munich, and I investigated the role of metalloproteases in Alzheimer Disease. This experience gave me a strong background in proteomics, and since then it remains one of my biggest interests. After that, I decided to pursue my studies with a PhD at the University of Dundee (UK) in Prof van Aalten lab, where I focused my attention on the role of the post-translational modification (PTM) ‘O-GlcNAc’ in neurodevelopmental disorders, using a combination of proteomics, protein biochemistry and stem cells. Since then, I gained a strong interest in neurodevelopment and the role of PTMs in brain development. Eager to learn more and expand my expertise, I decided to join the C-Lab to work on the role of the PTM ‘AMPylation’ in brain development and Autism Spectrum Disorder, using a combination of proteomics and human derived cerebral organoids.