University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’
Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery Building F,
room 290,
II Floor Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome
tel +39 06 7259 6462; fax +39 06 20427523
pica@uniroma2.it
Francesca Pica received his MD in Rome (1983, University “Sapienza”) followed by the clinical specialization in Infectious Diseases (1983-1985//1989-1991, University ”Sapienza”). Her research training in Microbiology originated at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” with the PhD in Experimental Medical Microbiology (1985-1989). She was a Researcher at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, CNR of Rome (1989-1995), then Assistant Professor (1995-2002) and Associate Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (2002 to date) at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University “Tor Vergata”, where she teaches Microbiology & Virology in the Degree Course of Medicine and Surgery as well as in several Degree Courses of Health Professions. She is a member of the Teaching Staff at the School of Specialization in “Microbiology and Virology” and in the PhD Course of “Microbiology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Organ Transplant and Correlated Diseases” at the same University, where she also directs a research laboratory of Virology & Cell biology. Her fields of interest are: the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy of Herpesvirus infections; the biological and clinical aspects of the host antiviral immune response; the use of chemo-immunotherapy protocols in conditions of immune-suppression associated with viral infections and cancer. She participated as a Scientific Director or Member of U.O. in several Research Projects funded by CNR, MIUR and the Italian Ministry of Health, and is author of over 150 publications on peer-reviewed international and national scientific journals (IF higher than 200). She is a Member of SIM (Italian Society of Microbiology) and of SIVIM (Italian Society of Medical Virology), Auditor of MIUR for the evaluation of programs and research products, Member of the Senior Editorial Board of the American Journal of Clinical Cancer Research, and a Reviewer for Int J Immunopharmacol, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, BMC Cancer and PlosOne.
CURRICULUM VITAE
- Family name: Pica
- First name: Francesca – Date of birth:18 September 1959
- Nationality: Italian
- Civil status: Married, three daughters (years of birth 1992, 1994 and 2003, respectively)
- Education and training:
1983 MD with full graduating marks, Faculty of Medicine, University “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
1983 Habilitation to the profession of Doctor of Medicine, Italian State-Examination
1985-1989 PhD in Experimental Medical Microbiology, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
1991 Specialization in Infectious Diseases, University ” Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- Membership of Professional Bodies and Scientific Societies:
– Order of Physicians-Surgeons and Dentists, Rome, Italy
– SIM (Italian Society of Microbiology);
– SIVIM (Italian Society of Medical Virology);
– CIFAPPS (Interdepartmental Centre on Training, Upgrading and Promotion of Health Professions, University “Tor Vergata” Rome, Italy)
- Present position: Associate Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Professional experience:
From 2002 to 2014: Associate Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (SSD MED/07), at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
2001: Winner of a public competition for a position of Associate Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology
From 1995 to 2002: Researcher (Assistant professor) of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
1995: Winner of a public competition for a position of Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, she takes duty at Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
From 1989 to 1995: Researcher at the Institute of Experimental Medicine, National Council of Research (CNR), Rome, Italy
- Attendance at other Institutions or National and International Laboratories:
1981-1985 Hospital and laboratories of The Third Medical Clinic, Policlinico Umberto I, University “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
1987-1988 Laboratory of Experimental Oncology directed by Dr. Zupi at the CNR, Rome, Italy, in the context of a scientific collaboration on a murine model of lung cancer (Lewis lung carcinoma)
1988-1989 Laboratory of Virology directed by Prof. Filippo Belardelli, at the National Institute of Health (I.S.S.), Rome, Italy, in the context of a scientific collaboration on experimental protocols of chemo-immunotherapy in mice injected with Friend’s erythroleukemia cells
1990-1992 Laboratory of Virology directed by Prof. Maria Gabriella Santoro, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy, in the context of a scientific collaboration on the in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of Prostaglandins
1997 Laboratory of Prof. Patrick Steven Moore, Division of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York,NY, USA, where she held a seminar on “Nerve growth factor e Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus”.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
1995-2014 Teacher of Microbiology and Virology in the following Degree Courses of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy:
– C.I. Microbiologia (Corso di Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia) 2 CFU
– C.I. Microbiology ( Degree in Medicine and Surgery) 5 CFU
– C.I. of Microbiology & Clinical Microbiology (Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technician) 3 CFU
– Microbiology in the C.I. of Pathophysiology of General Pathology ( Degree in Nursing) 1 CFU
– Microbiology in the C.I. of Pathophysiology of General Pathology (Degree in Science Midwifery) 1 CFU
– C.I. Microbiology and Pathology (Degree in Dental Hygienist) 2 CFU
1995-2014 Lecturer of Microbiology & Virology and Member of the Teaching Staff at the Schools of Specialization in “Microbiology and Virology” (all the period) and “Infectious Diseases” (from 1997 to 2008), at the University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy.
2000-2014 Lecturer and Member of the Teaching Staff at the PhD Course in “Microbiology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, Organ Transplant and Correlated Diseases” at the University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
2009-2010 Lecturer at the Graduate Course in “Clinical Management of Resistance to Antiviral Drugs” University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
From 1995 to present: Head of a research laboratory (Virology & Cell biology) at the Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy.
Fields of interest: a) Pathogenesis and diagnosis of Herpesvirus infections, with special regard to HSV, VZV, CMV, EBV and HHV-8/KSHV; b) Biological and clinical aspects of the host antiviral immune response; c) Combined chemo-immunotherapy protocols in pre-clinical models of immune-suppression associated with viral infections and cancer.
Francesca Pica is author or co-author of more than 150 research articles (IF higher than 200), the major part of whom on international peer-reviewed journals, several abstracts many of whom presented at International Scientific Meetings, and book chapters.
She is a Member of the Senior Editorial Board of the American Journal of Clinical Cancer Research, a Reviewer for scientific journals (i.e. Int J Immunopharmacol, Herpes Journal, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, BMC Cancer), and associate editor of 2 books of Medical Microbiology. She attended as invited speaker in several National and International Congresses.
Collaborations with national and international research groups directed by:
– Prof. A. Volpi, Infectious Disease, Dept. of Science and Technology of Education, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
– Prof. G. Barillari, General Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Traslational Medicine, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
– Prof. M.G. Santoro, Virology, Department of Biology, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
– Prof. F. Belardelli, Dept. of Oncology and Haematology, I.S.S., Rome, Italy
– Prof. P.S. Moore, Division of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, USA
– Prof. J. Haas, Division of Pathway Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, U.K. and Max von Pettenkofer Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, 80336 München, Germany.
Research projects:
1989-1993 Project C.N.R. “Prevention and control of disease factors (FATMA)”. Sub-project 3. Head: Prof. E. Garaci
1992 National Research Project “Immune diagnosis.”, funded by the Ministry of University, Scientific Research and Technology (MURST). Head: Prof. E. Garaci
1992- 1996 CNR Project “Clinical Applications in Cancer Research” (ACRO). Subproject 8 – Treatment of advanced solid tumors with combinations of immune-modulatory agents and chemotherapy. Head: Prof. E. Garaci
1996- 2009 Research Project “Chemo-immunotherapy of infections and tumors”. Funding for the Scientific Research of the University (ex-quota 60%). Head: Prof. E. Garaci
1997 PRIN (PROGETTI DI RICERCA DI INTERESSE NAZIONALE, Research Projects of National Interest)entitled “Apoptosis in the homeostasis and pathology associated with viral infection of the immune system.”. Head: Prof. E. Garaci
1998 PRIN entitled “Apoptosis in the pathology associated to infection by human retroviruses and HHV-8.”. Head: Prof. E. Garaci
1998-1999 Chief scientist of the Scientific Project entitled “Relationship between HHV-8, high serum levels of NGF and development of KS in HIV-infected individuals: implications for pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment ” in the 2nd National Research Program on AIDS – Subproject “Opportunistic infections and tuberculosis”
2000-2001 Chief scientist of the Scientific Project entitled “Relationship between HHV-8, high serum levels of NGF and development of KS in HIV- infected individuals: implications for pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment ” in the 3rd National Research Program on AIDS – Subproject “Opportunistic infections and tuberculosis”
2002-2003 Chief scientist of the Scientific Project entitled “Relationship between HHV-8, high serum levels of NGF and development of KS in HIV- infected individuals: implications for pathogenesis, diagnosis and Treatment ” in the 4th National Research Program on AIDS – Subproject “Opportunistic infections and tuberculosis”
2000 PRIN entitled “Apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis of viral infections”. Head: Prof. E. Garaci
2002 PRIN “Role of apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis of viral infections.” Head: Prof. E. Garaci
2002- 2004 Targeted Research Project 1% Ministry of Health entitled “Strategies for immuno-therapy genotypes of HPV oncogenes and oncogenes.”. Head: Prof. P. Sinibaldi-Vallebona
2002-2004 Ministry of Health, ISPESL-DIPIA, Project “In vitro exposure to electric and electromagnetic fields, gene expression and activation of Herpesviruses”. U.O. Prof. A. Volpi
2004-2005 Research Project “Programma Oncotecnologico” entitled “Development of new cancer therapies based on anti-retroviral drugs to HIV protease inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, alone or in combination: preclinical studies in vitro and in vivo”. Head: prof. P. Sinibaldi-V.
2004 PRIN “Role of apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis of some viral infections.”. Head: Prof. E. Garaci
2005- 2007 Chief scientist of the Subproject : “Thymosin as immunomodulator in cancer therapy”, within the Project funded by The Italian Ministry of Health entitled “Development of adjuvance’s strategies in infectious diseases and chronic-degenerative diseases.”
2006 PRIN entitled “Role of apoptosis in the etiopathogenesis and therapy of some viral infections.”.Head: Prof. E. Garaci.
2008 PRIN entitled “Virus host cell interplay in the development of new antiviral therapies.”. Head: Prof. E. Garaci.
2010-2011 PRIN entitled ” OMICS Technologies and Systems Biology for the definition of new strategies for the control of viral infections.” Head: Prof. C.F. Perno.
OTHER SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
From 2006 to present:
Member of the Register of Auditors for the evaluation of programs and research products ministerial MIUR, for scientific sectors MED/07 Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology (area: 06 – Medical Sciences) and MED/17 INFECTIOUS DISEASES (area: 06 – Medical Sciences), and on the following sectors of the European Research Council (ERC): No. 1 LS6_7 Microbiology (Life Sciences: Immunity and infection: Immunobiology, aetiology of immune disorders, microbiology, virology, parasitology, global and other infectious diseases, population dynamics of infectious diseases, veterinary medicine); No. 2. LS6_8 Virology (Life Sciences: Immunity and infection: Immunobiology, aetiology of immune disorders, microbiology, virology, parasitology, global and other infectious diseases, population dynamics of infectious diseases, veterinary medicine); No. 3. LS7_3 Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics, drug discovery and design, drug therapy (Life Sciences:
Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health: aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of disease, public health, epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical medicine, regenerative medicine, medical ethics).
2002 Member Admission Committee of the benchmarking to n. 1 position of Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine and Surgery for the field ssd MED/07, banned by the University of Rome “La Sapienza”
(rectorial decree no. 34 / 235 of 13/05/2002, published in the Official Gazette n.41 of 05.24.2002)
From 2003 to 2011:
Member or President of the following Boards of public competition, based on qualifications and examinations, performed at the Italian Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS). In detail:
2003 One position of Assistant – Level III Professional ISS – Laboratory of Parasitology – published in the Official Gazette IV Special Series – No. 102 of December 28, 2001 (Appointed by Presidential Decree dated 14/03/2003);
2003 Three positions of Assistant Technical research bodies – IV professionally ISS – Medical Laboratories of Bacteriology and Mycology (2 seats) and Cell Biology (1 seat), published in Official Gazette IV Special Series – No. 102 of December 28, 2001 (Appointed by Presidential Decree dated 14/03/2003);
2004 One unit of personal profile Senior Researcher – Level II Professional ISS – National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, published in Official Gazette IV Special Series –
28.5.2004 n.42 (Appointed by Presidential Decree dated 11/08/2004);
2008 Ten units with the profile of Technical Operator – VIII professional ISS, published in Official Gazette IV Special Series – No 64, 19.8.2008 (Appointed by Presidential Decree dated 29.10.2008);
2011 Nine units of personnel with the profile of Technical Assistant Research Institutes – VI professional level for the ISS, Secretary and Technical Areas (lit. H dell’srt .1 Notice), published in Official Gazette IV Special Series – No. 27 of 04.05.2011 (Appointed by Presidential Decree dated 09/09/2011);
2011 Member of the Selection Committee, nomination by the CUN as communicated by MIUR, prot. N °2510 of May 3, 2011, for judgments of confirmation for the role of Associate Professors Scientific-Disciplinary MED/07 (Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology) pursuant to Art. 23 of Presidential Decree 11.7.1980, n. 382 and the Law 3.7.1998, no. 210.
2012 Auditor “peer” at Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) in the evaluation of research products delivered to VQR 2004-2010.
Main Scientific Publications
- Griffiths SJ, Koegl M, Boutell C, Zenner HL, Crump CM, Pica F, Gonzalez O, Friedel CC, Barry G, Martin K, Craigon MH, Chen R, Kaza LN, Fossum E, Fazakerley JK, Efstathiou S, Volpi A, Zimmer R, Ghazal P, Haas J. A systematic analysis of host factors reveals a Med23-interferon-λ regulatory axis against herpes simplex virus type 1 replication. PLOS PATHOGENS 2013; 9(8):e1003514. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003514. Epub 2013 Aug 8.
- Serafino A, Pica F, Andreola F, Gaziano R, Moroni N, Moroni G, Zonfrillo M, Pierimarchi P, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Garaci E. Thymosin α1 activates complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis in human monocyte-derived macrophages. JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY 2014;6(1):72-88. doi: 10.1159/000351587. Epub 2013 Jun 22.
- Volpi A, Pica F. “Epstein – Barr virus and CNS Infections”. In: NEUROVIRAL INFECTIONS: GENERAL PRINCIPLES & DNA VIRUSES. Edited by Sunit K. Singh and Daniel Ruzek – Vol. I – Section II – Chapter 9, p. 245-272, 2013. London:Taylor & Francis Group.
- Pica F, Balestrieri E, Serafino A, Sorrentino R, Gaziano R, Moroni G, Moroni N, Palmieri G, Mattei M, Garaci E, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P. Antitumor effects of the benzophenanthridine alkaloid sanguinarine in a rat syngeneic model of colorectal cancer. ANTI-CANCER DRUGS 2012; vol. 23, p. 32-42.
- Balestrieri E, Arpino C, Matteucci C, Sorrentino R, Pica F, Alessandrelli R, Coniglio A, Curatolo P, Rezza G, Macciardi F, Garaci E, Gaudi S, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P HERVs expression in Autism Spectrum Disorders . PLOS ONE 2012; vol. 7, p. e48831.
- Pica F, Volpi A. Public awareness and knowledge of herpes labialis. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY 2012; vol. 84, p. 132-137.
- Serafino A, Pierimarchi P, Pica F, Andreola F, Gaziano R, Moroni N, Zonfrillo M, Sinibaldi-Vallebona P, Garaci E. Thymosin alpha 1 as a stimulatory agent of innate cell-mediated immune response. ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 2012; vol. 1270, p. 13-20.
- Garaci E, Pica F, Serafino A, Balestrieri E, Matteucci C, Moroni G, Sorrentino R, Zonfrillo M, Pierimarchi P, Sinibaldi- Vallebona P. Thymosin α1 and Cancer: Action on Immune Effector and Tumor Target Cells. ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 2012; vol. 1269, p. 26-33.
- Volpi A, Gatti A, Pica F. Frequency of Herpes Zoster Recurrences. MAYO CLINIC PROCEEDINGS 2011; vol. 86, p. 584-587.
- Pica F, Volpi A, Gaziano R, Garaci E. Interferon-lambda in immunocompetent individuals with a history of recurrent herpes labialis. ANTIVIRAL THERAPY 2010; vol. 15, p. 737-743.
- Gatti A, Pica F, Boccia MTJ, De Antoni F, Sabato AF, Volpi A. No evidence of family history as a risk factor for herpes zoster in patients with post-herpetic neuralgia. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY 2010; vol. 82, p. 1007-1011.
- Volpi A, Pica F. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 e 2 e Varicella zoster virus (VZV). In: Gruppo di Lavoro AMCLI “Infezioni Materno-Fetali” Attualità in tema di infezioni materno-fetali (seconda edizione) 2010; p. 63-89, TORINO: Editing Berrino Printer.