EDUCATION
2002   Ph.D in Morphological Sciences
University of Cagliari
Dissertation title: “Study of the immunospecific defense mechanisms in some human ocular adnexa by immunohistochemical techniques”.
1996 University Training Course, “Technologies for the synthesis and development of biologically active molecules”
   Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy
1995   Vocational training course, “Antiviral drugs design, validation and development”
   Dissertation title: “HIV-1 proteases inhibitors”
   Grant from Italian Ministero del Lavoro and University of Cagliari, Italy
1994 Vocational training course, “Research methodology expert in the field of antiviral drugs”
Dissertation title: “HRV inhibitors”.
   Grant from Italian Ministero del Lavoro and University of Cagliari, Italy
1994   License to practice the profession of Biologist
   University of Cagliari, Italy.
1993   M.Sc. degree in Biological Sciences, magna cum laude
University of Cagliari
Dissertation title: “Kinetics of the cycloaddition reaction between arylnitrile oxides and 1,2-diazepines”
1986   Scientific High School Leaving Qualifications

POSITION HELD
2017-- National Scientific Qualification (Italy) for the position of Associate Professor in Human Anatomy
2004--   Research Assistant Professor of Human Anatomy
   Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2003-2004  Postdoctoral Fellow
   Project: Melanocytic pigmented lesions in conjunctiva
   Supervisor: Prof. Paola Sirigu
   Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Feb 2003 Visiting Scientist, The Wistar Institute Melanoma Research Center (Prof. M. Herlyn, D.V.M., D. Sc). Presentation title: “Local immune system in normal human conjunctiva, pterygium and conjunctival melanoma. An immunohistochemical study”.
2002-2003  Postdoctoral Fellow
   Project: Immunological mechanism in the pathogenesis of pterygium
   Supervisor: Prof. Paola Sirigu
   Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Jan 2002-Apr 2002 Postdoctoral Fellow
Grant from the Bioanalisi Centro-Sud
Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari. Italy.
1998-2002 Ph.D. student in Morphological Sciences
Project: “Immunospecific defense mechanisms in human ocular adnexa”.
Grant from the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR)
   Supervisor: Prof. Paola Sirigu
   Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
1996-1998  Research Associate
   Project: “Human acute and chronic pancreatitis”
Grant from the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (RAS)
Supervisor: Prof. Paola Sirigu
Department of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Italy
1993-1994  Post-graduate Student
   Institute of Normal Human Anatomy, and Institute of Microbiology
University of Cagliari, Italy.
1992   Internship
   Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy

MAIN TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, University of Cagliari, Italy
Master Degree in Medicine and Surgery
2016/2017  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Anatomy 2: Lectures and exams
2015-2017  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Anatomy 1: Lectures and exams
2004-2016  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Anatomy: Lectures and exams
2004-2017  Research Assistant Professor, Gross and Microanatomy:  Lectures, pratics, and exams

Master Degree in Dentistry
2015-2017  Research Assistant Professor, Gross and Microanatomy: Lectures, pratics, and exams

First Level Degree in Nursing
2008-2010, 2013-- Research Assistant Professor, Course of Human Anatomy
First Level Degree in Nursing

Other First Level Degrees
2011-2013  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Human Anatomy
First Level Degree in Health Assistance
First Level Degree in Dental Hygiene
2011/2012  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Human Anatomy
First Level Degree in Environment and Workplace Prevention Techniques
2005-2007  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Human Anatomy
First Level Degree in Orthoptic and Ophtalmologic Assistance

Residency Programs
2015/16--  Ophthalmolgy
2008/09--  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2004-2015  Anesthesiology

• SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY AND PHARMACY, University of Cagliari, Italy
2014/15  Research Assistant Professor, Course of Human Anatomy
First Level Degree in Toxicology,

OTHER TEACHING EXPERIENCES, University of Cagliari, Italy
In agreement with the Professors of the courses, she has carried out the following teaching activities in the official teaching courses:
2005-2008  Lectures, Course Human Anatomy, First level Degree in Physiotherapy
2002-2004  Training activity, Gross Anatomy, First Level Degree in Biology
2002-2004  Training activity, Gross Anatomy, First Level Degree in Natural Sciences
1998-2004  Training activity, Gross and Microanatomy, Master Degree in Medicine and Surgery

OFF-CAMPUS COURSES
1996-1999 Research Associate, Human Anatomy Applied to Physical Education, Istituto Superiore di Educazione Fisica (ISEF) Cagliari, Italy

Ph.D COMMETTEE
2013--  Innovation Sciences and Technologies, University of Cagliari, Italy
2010-2012 Biomedical Engineering, University of Cagliari, Italy
2008/2009 Morphological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.

TRAINING ACTIVITY IN Ph.D. COURSES
2013  Biomedical Engineering, University of Cagliari, Italy. Supervisor: Prof. Ing. G. Cao
2004-2015 Morphological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy. Supervisor: Prof. M.T. Perra

RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Her work is characterized by national and international collaboration and is supported by 102 scientific papers (34 full length papers in peer reviewed and indexed Journals, 1 book chapter and 77 abstracts of national and international congress). Her main research interest is focused on the study of normal and pathological mucosae and skin, with a special attention to the pathogenesis of pterygium, a benign bulbar conjunctiva lesion with tumor-like features and unknown origin. Moreover, further research lines are based on the identification of tumor biomarkers for an early diagnosis of melanoma and breast cancer.

BIBLIOMETRICS
Source: Scopus 2018

documents: 35
citations: 600
h-index: 15

RESEARCH SKILLS
Immunohistochemistry, Immunocytochemistry, Immunofluorescence
Bright Field and Fluorescence Microscopy, Microscope Image Acquisition and Processing
Cell culture, molecular biology
Statistical analysis

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Human anatomy, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry, histopathology, cellular basis of diseases.
Conjunctival melanocytic pigmented lesions, pterygium, melanoma, breast cancer
Stem cell biology, cancer stem cells, telocytes biology
Apoptosis, oxidative stress, angiogenesis

 

REVIEWER FOR SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
2014 Italian edition of 2 chapters of: Martini/Hober/Nath/Bartholomew/Petti - Visual Anatomy and Physiology (Martini/Hober/Nath/Bartholomew/Petti - VISUAL, Anatomia e Fisiologia – EDISES (ISBN 978 88 7959 9139)
2013 “Proceedings of the 35th National Congress of the Italian Society of Histochemistry” Guest Editor
2010--  Reviewer for Cornea, Current Eye Research, Molecular Vision, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (JCMM), Journal of Current Ophthalmology (JOCO), e International Journal of Medical Sciences, Journal of International Medical Research (JIMR).
1997 Reviewer of the scientific contributions of the 27th National Congress of the Italian Society of Histochemistry.

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES' MEMBERSHIP
2000-- Italian Society of Histochemistry (SII)
2000-- Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology (SIAI)

CONGRESS ORGANIZING AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES
2013 35th National Congress of the Italian Society of Histochemistry (SII).
1997 for 27th National Congress of the Italian Society of Histochemistry (SII).

AWARDS, HONORS AND GRANTS

2011 Best poster Award, LXV National Congress of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology, Padova: Piras F, et al. Association of nestin with anti-apoptotic and tumor suppressor factors in human breast cancer.
2010 Journal front-cover, Oncology Reports: Piras F, et al. The stem cell marker nestin predicts poor prognosis in human melanoma. [2010; 23 (1):17-24. DOI: 10.3892/or-00000601]
2006 Rotary International Grant within the program "Group Study Exchange (GSE)"
1999 Grant from the Italian Society of Histochemistry to attend the XI International Congress of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry (ICHC 2000) (York, 3-8 Sept. 2000)
1999 “Young Histochemist Award” by the International Federation of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry (IFSHC).