CAMPANELLAB
Our people are at the core of what makes the Mitochondrial Cell Biology and Pharmacology Research Laboratory (Head Michelangelo Campanella) such a unique and fulfilling place to work. We are proud of the diversity of our staff, with all team members contributing their unique skills to the projects we are working on. Together, we have planned and executed some of the most innovative and cutting edge experiments. Find out more about our team members below.
Danilo Faccenda
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Danilo first joined the group in 2010 to undertake the M.Sc. project as part of his Master in Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Bologna. After receiving his master’s degree, he then stayed with the group to complete his PhD in Cell Biology investigating the role of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) in the regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics and apoptosis in cancer. He then spent two years in Milan to work at the European Institute of Oncology. Currently, Danilo is studying the molecular mechanisms linking alterations in mitochondria-to-nucleus communication to aging and neurodegeneration.
Aarti Singh
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Aarti joined the unit in 2015 as a PhD candidate funded by BBSRC iCASE in partnership with GE Healthcare to unveil the role of TSPO in neuroinflammation. After completing her PhD in 2019 she applied to Medtech Superconnector with Prof. Campanella and was granted funding to develop a novel tool to detect in vitro cytotoxicity.
Marta Caldeira
Graduate Student
Marta joined the unit in 2018, first as a rotational student and later as a LIDo PhD student funded by the BBSRC. Her research focuses on the role of microglial cell calcium signalling and mito-nuclear communication in neurodevelopment.
Richard Boulton-Mcdonald
Graduate Student
Richard joined the lab in 2019 as a BBSRC iCASE student. His studentship is focused on the effect of mitochondrial heterogeniety in aging.
Manuel Rigon
Research Assistant
Manuel joined the lab in 2018 as a Rotary Fellow to study the role of contact sites between nucleus and mitochondria in breast cancer treatment resistance. He is now investigating the mechanisms driving stemness in mesothelioma tumours to improve treatments.
Daniela Strobbe
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Daniela is investigating the role of the mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO) in brain and breast cancer cells, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that increase tumour aggressiveness and resistance to therapy.
Tasnim Ahmed
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Tasnim joined the group in 2020 after completing her PhD at the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research in Newcastle. The project she is undertaking is part of the prestigious ERC grant, investigating the molecular nature of the tether between the nucleus and the mitochondria (NAM).
Amelia Townley
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Amelia joined the group in 2020 after finishing her PhD at the University of Nottingham, investigating alterations to mitochondrial turnover in cancer. She is, alongside Tasnim, studying the molecular nature of the tether between the nucleus and the mitochondria (NAM) as part of a ERC grant.
Jemma Gane
MSci Bioveterinary Sciences
Jemma joined the lab in 2020 and is investigating the effects of TSPO and cholesterol modulation upon oestradiol activity and if these can act as novel targets for reducing risk of malignant canine mammary cancer formation.
Oscar Drury
MSci Biological Sciences
Oscar joined the lab in 2019 to undertake his BSc dissertation project alongside Mustafa studying the potential to establish necroptosis in canine cells. As of 2020, he has continued this project for his MSci.
Brindha Kannan
Graduate Student
Brindha joined the unit in 2021 after completing a BSc in Biotechnology from Monash University. Her research focuses on the comparative cell biology of mito-nuclear interactions in breast cancer.