39th Cycle

In 2020, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Dietetics with top honors. I continued my studies, and in 2022, I earned a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition Science, graduating with a score of 110 with honors. I am currently completing a Master in Nutritional Counseling at the University of Pavia, which I will conclude by April 2024, acquiring additional skills in nutritional support. In October 2023, I began my Ph.D. in Public Health and Lifestyle at the Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine at the University of Pavia, through which I aim to further explore topics related to public health and lifestyle.

Throughout my academic journey, I have delved into topics and interventions with significant clinical relevance. My Bachelor’s thesis investigated the optimization of nutritional therapy for patients with glycogen storage disorders, while my Master’s thesis focused on the postprandial glycemic response in patients with type 1 diabetes. My goal is to use my skills and passion to serve the community and keep updated on the latest discoveries and advancements in the field of nutrition, in line with the continuing education requirements for healthcare professionals, aiming to provide cutting-edge contributions in an field that is constantly evolving.

Master’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia, with a graduation internship at the Forensic Medicine Unit of the University of Pavia starting in the fifth year and a thesis titled “Alterations of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Acute and Chronic Intoxication from Heroin and Cocaine: Immunohistochemical Analysis on Autopsy Brain Samples.” During my degree program, I was also a resident at the Collegio Universitario Pavese F.lli Cairoli.

Following this, I obtained my license to practice as a Medical Doctor, registered with the relevant professional board, and in the same year, was admitted to the medical specialization program in Forensic Medicine, also at the University of Pavia. I completed the program with a thesis titled “Substance Abuse Neuropathology: Role of Neuroinflammation and Cell Death.” During the specialization, I completed a four-month rotation at the Forensic Medicine Unit of ASST Spedali Civili in Brescia and another four-month rotation at the Forensic Medicine Unit of ASST Sette Laghi in Varese, as required by the program.

Throughout this training, in addition to acquiring specific skills in Forensic Medicine (with a particular focus on forensic pathology and private insurance), I participated in basic laboratory activities, primarily in studies using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry techniques, and collaborated with some students in the Medicine and Surgery program on their thesis projects.

My main research interests include: suicide, neuroinflammation in drug abuse, and post-mortem body donation for research purposes.

I am Sara Boussetta, a biologist, nutritionist, and academic tutor specialized in the BIO/09 field at the San Raffaele Telematic University in Rome. I graduated in Biotechnology in 2020 and in Human Nutrition Science in 2023, and I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Pavia in the Department of Public Health and Lifestyle.

My Ph.D. project, titled VALID, focuses on "HEALTHY" FOOD with the goal of developing safe and nutritious foods using new analytical processes and co-design approaches. This project emphasizes the formulation of functional foods by considering consumer preferences and conducting clinical trials, aiming to create eco-sustainable solutions through innovations in production and packaging. Additionally, I am collaborating on another research theme in the Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition laboratory, which I am affiliated with, on Biodiversity, Health, and Wellbeing. This research explores the impact of biodiversity on health, with a particular focus on lifestyle factors.

Throughout my academic career, I have actively participated in several research projects, including analyzing iron metabolism during aging in murine models in 2020, a study on the effects of bariatric surgery on hepatic ketogenesis, and a study on sarcopenic obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2023. This last project formed the basis of my master’s thesis and was published in June 2023.

Outside the academic sphere, I am actively involved in scientific outreach in the field of nutrition, collaborating with the A.M.E.C.E. association to conduct workshops and courses in Turin.

My educational path took place entirely in Luxembourg, where I moved at the end of 2016. I completed my studies at LUNEX University - International University of Health, Exercise and Sports, where I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Exercise Science.

During my studies at LUNEX, I had the opportunity to intern with the Luxembourg Paralympic Committee, where I met various athletes representing Luxembourg at the Paralympics. I participated in training sessions for different Paralympic sports and worked closely with the Committee’s President and Director.

In my final year of the Master’s program, I was offered the chance to do an Erasmus Traineeship at the Laboratory of Adapted Physical Activity (LAMA) at the University of Pavia. During this traineeship, I carried out a research project that later became the basis for my Master’s thesis. The thesis project focused on comparing gait rehabilitation using an exoskeleton versus traditional gait training for individuals with multiple sclerosis.

In addition to working on my thesis project, the LAMA team involved me in all their activities, including research initiatives.

My research focus is primarily on adapted physical activity for various pathologies, including obesity, which will be of particular interest in my doctoral project.

In 2019, I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology (L-2) from the University of Eastern Piedmont in Novara, with an experimental thesis titled: "Development of a Flow Chart for Identifying New Variants Involved in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Analysis of a Panel of Known Genes Extracted from Whole Genome Sequencing." Later, in 2022, I earned my Master’s Degree in Biostatistics (LM-82) from the University of Milan - Bicocca, with an experimental thesis titled: "Physical and Cognitive Frailty: Comparison Between Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and Elderly Population Controls." During this program, I obtained certification in "Base Programming Using SAS 9.4." I am currently enrolled in a second-level Master’s in Biostatistics and Epidemiological Methodology offered by the University of Pavia.

Between August 2022 and September 2023, I received a research scholarship, allowing me to participate in various projects. Notably, I contributed to the preparation of documents required for Ethical Committee approval of observational and interventional studies. In the latter half of this period, I had the opportunity to deepen my skills in handling and analyzing data from administrative health records, participating in a project on adolescent mental health during the pandemic. This collaboration allowed me to further develop my skills in data cleaning, manipulation, and analysis using various languages: Stata, SAS, and some R packages.

After completing my scientific high school diploma, I enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Insubria in Varese, where, in March 2020, following an eighteen-month internship in the Forensic Medicine Unit at the Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, I graduated with a thesis on current topics related to the disposition of one’s body and tissues post-mortem for educational, training, and scientific research purposes.

In January 2021, after obtaining my medical license and passing the admission exam, I began my specialization in Forensic Medicine at the University of Pavia, where I am currently in my fourth year. During my specialization, I spent several months training abroad at the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Canton of Ticino (Switzerland), where I was able to strengthen and expand my previously acquired skills and knowledge. Furthermore, throughout my specialization, I have actively participated in national and international conferences and contributed to the drafting of scientific articles.

In addition, since March 2024, I have been serving at the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, performing forensic medicine activities across various areas of interest, including post-mortem examination, consulting, and liaising with Public Authorities.

My Ph.D. project aims to provide a snapshot of psychoactive substance use (self-reported vs. analytically verified data) among medical students, focusing particularly on the use of such substances during especially stressful times, namely exam sessions. This study seeks to define the scope of a growing phenomenon that, given its human and social costs, represents a significant public health issue.

Since high school, I was clear about my calling: movement. I completed my entire academic journey at the University of Pavia, earning both my Bachelor's degree in Motor Sciences and my Master’s degree in Sciences and Techniques of Preventive and Adapted Motor Activities. My Master’s thesis focused on strength and contralateral effects, and I graduated with a score of 110 with honors.

I pursued a first-level Master’s in “School Physical Education” and a specialized course in “Adapted Physical Education and Inclusion of Students with Disabilities” at the University of Pavia, as well as a first-level Master’s in “Teaching Profession in Today’s Schools” at eCampus Telematic University.

I taught for four years as a special education teacher at the lower secondary school level.

During my doctoral studies, I will investigate the biomechanical parameters that influence the efficiency and metabolic cost of walking. I will conduct my research at the newly established Human Locomotion Laboratory (LocoLab) at the University of Pavia, where I aim to acquire and interpret clinical-functional and gait biomechanics assessments in adults and the elderly.

I am a medical specialist in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, with solid experience in public health, epidemiology, and health systems management. After graduating in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia, I obtained my specialization with honors, delving into the dynamics of organization and optimization of resources in the healthcare field.

Currently, I am a researcher at the Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine at the University of Pavia. In parallel, I work as a consultant for the Medical Directorate of the IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, where I support initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare services.

My PhD project focuses on the analysis of epidemiological and health data to develop an advanced spatio-temporal statistical model capable of predicting emergency room access volumes during seasonal influenza peaks. The goal is to provide predictive tools useful for managing hospital resources and making public health decisions.

Thanks to my integrated experience between the academic and managerial fields, combined with a multidisciplinary approach, I am committed to contributing to the innovation and sustainability of healthcare systems, effectively addressing emerging challenges in public health.

Graduated in Dietetics from the University of Pavia, she later obtained a Master's degree in Health Professions of Technical Assistance Sciences.

She has worked within the National Health Service (SSN) in a hospital setting, focusing on Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition in inpatient and outpatient services, Hospital Catering, Training Courses for healthcare personnel, and Corporate Quality within the Nutrition Service.

Over the years, she has provided nutritional consulting for a cooperative serving individuals with disabilities, engaged in outpatient services, and taught in the Level II Master's Program in Human Nutrition at this University.

Currently employed as a Technologist at the Laboratory of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition (Department of Public Health, Experimental, and Forensic Medicine), she manages and implements the SENIOR Project (PE_10_ON FOODS, Topic Malnutrition) and is involved in the MenthorShip Program for young researchers.

She teaches in the Level II Master’s in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition and serves as a Tutor in the "Clinical Case Discussions in Dietotherapy" Project (University Funds) for the Degree Course in Dietetics.

Other Projects: nutrition for women of childbearing age (Cellfasting Pilot Study) and inadequate micronutrient intake in the healthy population (Haleon Project).

The Ph.D. project aims to assess the prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder in a sample of overweight/obese individuals and investigate and analyze associated factors. These are conditions of interest to Public Health, with a bidirectional relationship that negatively impacts health, individual quality of life, and healthcare costs.

I graduated with top honors in Medicine and Surgery in English at the University of Pavia in 2019, with a thesis in clinical toxicology. In the same year, I began attending the specialization school in Occupational Medicine at the University of Pavia. As part of my specialized training, I spent time at the Centre Hospitalier du Mans, where I focused on health surveillance of personnel, organizing specialized training regarding the use of antineoplastic drugs for nursing staff, and collaborating on the organization of the vaccination campaign during the SARS-COVID-2 pandemic.

In November 2023, I completed my specialization with top honors as well, with a thesis on occupational exposure to incidental nanoparticles produced by metal 3D printers. My research project is the evolution of my specialization thesis project and aims to analyze the impact of incidental nanoparticles on the health of workers and the general population.

My academic journey began in 2017 at the University of Catania, where I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Sports Sciences. Subsequently, I decided to pursue a training experience away from home by enrolling at the University of Pavia, where I earned my Master's degree in Sciences and Techniques of Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity.

This experience was crucial for my approach to scientific research, particularly through the completion of my Master's thesis titled "Development of a web-based exercise programming system for people with Multiple Sclerosis." This thesis received the "Giuseppina Ratti" award as one of the best theses on "Physical Activity for Health" for the academic year, conferred by the Rotary Club Pavia Est Terre Viscontee.

Following the completion of my Master's degree, I took on the role of External Expert in the Ministry Project "Yes, We Can!" in collaboration with the Galileo Galilei State High School in Voghera and the Department of Public Health at the University of Pavia. Alongside project activities, I actively collaborated with the Functional Assessment and Health Promotion Laboratory, supporting PhD students and faculty members.

These experiences solidified my aspiration to continue in academia and research. Last October, I successfully participated in the competition for the PhD in Public Health and Lifestyle, presenting a project focused on promoting physical activity and healthy behaviors among adolescents. The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of short physical exercise interventions in the classroom, through active breaks and standing desks, on health parameters (both physical and cognitive), functional abilities, and academic performance.

My name is Marco Salivetto, and I am a PhD student in the Public Health & Lifestyle program promoted by the University of Pavia. After earning a degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology and completing a research period abroad, I worked in clinical research in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, collaborating in the management of experimental and observational studies. I currently work for the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), where I assist in conducting post-authorization safety studies (PASS) within the project “Italian Multiple Sclerosis and Related Diseases Registry” (RISM).

The use of reliable and quality data from clinical practice in pharmacovigilance studies is a very current topic. My PhD project aims to verify whether the RISM can provide useful information to define the safety profile of drugs on the market specific for multiple sclerosis. The project involves studying the structure of the RISM database and how safety data is collected. Subsequently, the information extracted from the RISM will be compared with data obtained from at least two external sources as a reference. This comparison will help understand the validity of RISM as a tool for conducting studies on the safety of available drugs for multiple sclerosis, studies that contribute to ensuring the health of those affected by the disease.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and my Master's degree in Human Nutrition Sciences at the University of Pisa, achieving a score of 110/110 with honors in both cases, along with the award of two medals for academic merit. After passing the State Examination for Biologists - Section A, I completed a second-level Master in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition at the University of Pavia with a score of 100/100 with honors. I was part of the research group for the FOOD-AUT project, a pilot study focused on adults with autism spectrum disorder in a collective catering context, where I completed my internship and thesis. Following that, I held the position of research fellow for seven months. I am currently involved in the ONFOODS project ("Research and innovation network on food and nutrition sustainability, safety and security - working on foods"), a national PNRR project supported by Next Generation EU. I participate in two projects aimed at combating malnutrition in vulnerable targets: SENIOR (Sustainable Eating patterN to lImit malnutritiOn in oldeR adults) and FACILITY (Feeding the fAmiLy - the Intergenerational approaCh to fIght obesiTY). In particular, SENIOR, my PhD project, targets seniors aged ≥ 65 years. It aims to identify potential determinants of malnutrition in the elderly population (cross-sectional phase) and to develop a personalized and sustainable dietary protocol that effectively addresses malnutrition (RCT phase) to prevent and improve the management of this condition in both hospital and outpatient settings.

In 2019, I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology (L-2) from the University of Pavia, presenting a thesis titled "Methods of data analysis from longitudinal studies: survival estimation. Theory and practical application." This course of study enriched my skills in biology, genetics, and biochemistry, providing me with a solid foundation of knowledge in the biosciences. Subsequently, in 2023, I earned my Master's degree in Biostatistics (LM-82) from the University of Milano-Bicocca, with an experimental thesis titled "Residual Risk estimation for carrier screening in rare diseases: an accurate approach based on disease allele frequencies of pathogenic variants." During this period, I deepened my understanding of statistical methodologies, research methodology, and epidemiology, acquiring advanced skills in medical statistics and biostatistical modeling. Additionally, I obtained the Academic Specialization certification in Advanced Data Analysis in Biostatistics: Tier 1. Currently, I am enrolled in a second-level Master's program in Biostatistics and Epidemiological Methodology offered by the University of Pavia. Between May 2022 and December 2023, I conducted a research project at the U.O.C. Orthopedics and Traumatology of the IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation (Pavia), within the national RAMS network project. This project is focused on evaluating experimental data in Regenerative Medicine in the orthopedic field and the related preliminary analysis for drafting experimental scientific papers and systematic reviews. This experience has allowed me to consolidate my skills in statistical analysis and gain a greater awareness of the practical implications of research in the medical field.