Psychiatric Epidemiology

I studied and trained in clinical psychology and psychotherapy in Italy. Subsequently, I worked in the field of epidemiology of aging in Italy (InCHIANTI Study 2007-2010) and the USA (National Institute of Aging, 2010-2012). Due to the enriching experience in such diverse contexts my research perspective became inherently multidisciplinary. My main research theme is the study, using the tools of epidemiology, of biological pathways that may have a role in the pathophysiology of depression.

At the Department of Psychiatry of Amsterdam UMC, where I am currently assistant professor of psychiatry and epidemiology, I further developed the investigation of the immuno-metabolic biological pathways involved in depression. Furthermore, I embraced the exciting developments of the genomics era, expanding my skills and moving my research questions beyond the study of biomarkers of depression toward its genetic basis. I wrote invited expert reviews on genetic research in depression, the biological mechanisms connecting depression and obesity and, more recently, presenting the concept of “Immuno-Metabolic Depression”

I am currently member of the The Scientific Quality Committee (SQC) of Amsterdam Public Health and co-PI of the new INFLAMED trial testing anti-inflammatory add-on in the treatment of Immuno-Metabolic Depression