Caterina Branca, Ph.D.

Caterina Branca obtained her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Brescia – School of Medicine, Italy. During her early academic career, she focused on dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, using animal models and conducting comprehensive biochemical and molecular analyses. Her primary projects explored programmed cell death pathways, which play a crucial role in neuronal loss across neurodegenerative conditions. This experience provided her with a foundation to develop and implement innovative approaches in neuroscience research.

After time in academia, she transitioned to private industry as a Field Application Scientist, gaining valuable insights into applied research and its translation to practical applications. However, she ultimately felt drawn back to the challenges and dynamic environment of basic research, leading her to return to academia.

Currently, as a Research Assistant Professor in Dr. Marco Bortolato’s lab, her work focuses on neurodevelopmental disorders, with an emphasis on Tic disorders. Her research aims to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms that drive these conditions, with the long-term goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets and developing strategies that could lead to effective treatments. In this role, she is dedicated to advancing the understanding of neurodevelopmental diseases, bridging fundamental research with potential clinical applications to address pressing unmet needs in the field.