Ms Eleonora Maurizi BSc MSc
Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University
After MRes Graduation with Laude at University of Parma, Eleonora continued study on her thesis topic of developing techniques for corneal endothelial cell culture. Her studies were carried out under the supervision of Professor Pellegrini at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine of Modena, an institute with World-renowned expertise in the development of epithelial stem cell-mediated cell therapy and gene therapy. Concurrently with this research, Eleonora collaborated in a project in with Ulster University to assess specific siRNA in the treatment of corneal dystrophies. She worked alongside Professor Tara Moore creating ex vivo preclinical models for Meesmann and Lattice corneal dystrophies, work rewarded by an IOVS publication.
Being fascinated by the achievable exploitation of the RNA interference mechanism to treat patients affected with eye diseases, she applied for a PhD studentship at Ulster University. During the first period of her PhD she had the opportunity to travel to Japan and spent three months at Doshisha University. Here she improved her knowledge and skills in corneal endothelial cell culture, working in the group of Prof Koizumi, a pioneer in this field. Eleonora returned to Ulster University and she is now learning new molecular biology techniques to carry on her research into the treatment of different eye pathologies.