With us at the MEG: I am a PhD student at the University of Insubria, in collaboration with CNR-IRSA (Verbania). Within the MEG group, I am involved in several research projects, focusing on molecular biology analyses in the lab and bioinformatics while also supporting the administrative work.

Research interest: My research focuses on the study of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquatic environments exposed to low levels of contamination. Specifically, I am interested in the antibiotic resistance dynamics of freshwater ecosystems in Alpine lakes and Arctic environments.

PhD Thesis Focus: My work aims to investigate antibiotic resistance (AMR) as a natural phenomenon by studying the background of ARGs in remote ecosystems. I seek to determine whether these genes have a purely natural origin, are influenced by anthropogenic activities, or are the result of both factors. A key aspect of my research is exploring the mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer (HGT), with a particular focus on integrons, which play a crucial role in the spread of ARGs. Class 1 integrons, often associated with mobile genetic elements, are of particular interest as they may serve as indicators of anthropogenic pollution.