Università degli Studi di Cagliari
Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche
NAME: PAOLA FADDA
POSITION TITLE: Full Professor of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine
EDUCATION/TRAINING
| INSTITUTION AND LOCATION | DEGREE
(if applicable)
|
Completion Date
MM/YYYY
|
FIELD OF STUDY
|
| University of Cagliari
Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
|
Postgraduate traineeship |
07/1987
1987/1988 |
Biological Science
Pharmacology |
- Personal Statement
In my career, I was first trained in biochemical pharmacology as a graduate student and postgraduate fellow and have more recently begun performing behavioral studies on animal models of mental disorders and neuropharmacology. Initially, the major focus of my research was on the investigation of the mechanism of action of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs, along with the modulation of dopaminergic receptors in REM sleep deprivation and dopamine’s interaction with the opioid systems. Furthermore, since one of the major interests of my group is the study of neurobiology of drug abuse, I have also contributed to study the opioid, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems and their cross talk with the endocannabinoid system as well as their reciprocal role in the neurobiology of psychiatric diseases, with an emphasis on co-morbidities (i.e. anxiety, schizophrenia and drug dependence). Guided by this, part of my research has been directed towards the study of the behavioral and neurochemical modifications induced by the administration of drugs acting on the central cannabinoid system in rats and mice. Building on these interests, I also spent several months at Aberdeen University (Scotland) performing a research project focusing on the effects of cannabinoids on cognitive function in rats. Over the last few years I have also extended my interests on the neurobiology of eating disorders and some of these studies have recently been published.
1989-1997 Researcher, Center of Neuropharmacology, National research Council (CNR) University of Cagliari, (Italy).
1997-2006 Assistant Professor, Dept of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari, (Italy).
2000-2012 Researcher affiliated with the Center of Excellence ‘Neurobiology of Addiction’ University of Cagliari, Italy
July 2003 – December 2003 Visiting Scientist, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen- Scotland UK
2006-2017 Associate Professor of Pharmacology Dept. Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Cagliari, (Italy)
2012-2018 Coordinator of the First Cycle Degree (Bachelor) of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari (Italy)
2012- 2018 Coordinator of the Second Cycle Degree (Master) Science of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cagliari (Italy)
2017-present Full Professor of Pharmacology Department of Biomedical Sciences (DISB), Faculty of Medicine University of Cagliari
2019-present Coordinator PhD of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari
2021-present Vice-Rector for The Facilities Of Monserrato University Area - University of Cagliari
Other Experiences, Service, and Professional Memberships:
Member of Society for Neuroscience
Member International Cannabinoid Research Society
Member Italian Society of Pharmacology
Member Italian Society of Neuropharmacology
Member Mediterranean Society of Neuroscience
Honors:
1988-1989
Postgraduate Fellow (FIDIA Research Laboratories-Abano Terme) Department of Neuroscience, University of
Cagliari.
08/ 2003 to 12/ 2003
Research Fellow Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland UK
2004 – 2008
Research Assistant School of Medical Science (Biomedical Sciences), University of Aberdeen, Scotland UK
Complete List of Published Work in MyBibliography: