Modulation of the Wnt signalling in the articular cartilage: Is it all about the dose?

Biography

Dr Giovanna Nalesso is Associate Professor in Musculoskeletal Biology and Associate Head for Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms driving osteoarthritis, with particular emphasis on the roles of microRNAs, Wnt signalling, calcium/calmodulin kinase II, and biomarkers of ageing in joint tissues. She has developed novel therapeutic approaches, including a patent targeting microRNA modulation for cartilage regeneration.

Dr Nalesso obtained her MRes in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Padua (Italy) and a PhD in Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology from Queen Mary University of London. Following postdoctoral training, she joined the University of Surrey in 2017, where she has advanced through academic and leadership roles.

She has secured competitive funding from national and international bodies, including the Medical Research Council, the Academy of Medical Sciences, and charitable foundations. Her contributions to the field have been recognised through several awards, such as the British Society for Matrix Biology New Investigator Award and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International New Investigator Award.

Beyond her research, Dr Nalesso plays a leading role in shaping Surrey’s research strategy, postgraduate training, and external partnerships. She regularly reviews for high-impact journals and funding organisations and is an invited speaker at international scientific conferences.

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