University

ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0155-8271

Scopus ID: 35617881600

Nicla Romano is Professor of Comparative Anatomy, Cell Biology and Developmental Biology (SSD BIOS04/A ex BIO06- Comparative Anatomy and Cytology) since 2005 at the University of Tuscia and since 2025 at Link Campus University. In 1998, she attained a PhD at the Agricultural University of Wageningen (NL) in the field of comparative immunology. Along with her colleagues from the University Tuscia, she patented a diagnostic system for studying the immune system of Dicentrarchus labrax (sea bass) in 1996. Her research currently focuses on cardiac pathology and regeneration, using alternative models such as zebrafish (Brachidanio rerio), 2D and 3D cardiac cultures and organoids. In recent years, she has been developing a connective tissue device capable of regenerating the heart by stimulating resident cells. Furthermore, her research activity focuses on the study of cell differentiation/de-differentiation due to disease (cancer, cell toxicity). For many years, she has been working on immune system development and vaccination strategies in aquaculture and has also developed a predictive mathematical model for vaccination of farmed sea bass.

She held various teaching and institutional positions at the University of Tuscia. President/Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology LM6, Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (2016/2019). She is head and curator of the museum collection of Comparative Anatomy and Zoology of the University (SMA 2005/2025); Member of the OPBA (Organismo proposto al benessere degli animali-Stabulario) stabulario di Ateneo (2016/2025); Member of the University Library Committee (2001-2015); Member of the Teaching Staff of the Degree Course in Biological Sciences and Master's Degree Course in Cell and Molecular Biology (2001-2016); Member of the Teaching Staff of the University's Centre for Electron Microscopy (2001-2010); Served as Secretary and President in several sessions of State Examinations of the Profession of Biologist from 2006 to 2024. She had many teaching assignments from 2001 to the present (Morphogenesis and Comparative Anatomy, Developmental Biology, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Cytology and Histology, Human Anatomy, Physical Anthropology).

She has coordinated several international agreements between universities: Project Manager in University Agreements (4): University Of Maryland-Biotechnology Institute-Maryland (US)-Prof. Gerardo Vasta (2006); The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh (USA)-Prof. Michael Tsang (2008); Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim-Germany- Prof. Didier Stainer (2014); 2018-19 University Agreements between two laboratories: Dr. Prof. Bryan Grieg Fry, Venom Evolution Laboratory (Institute for Molecular Bioscience) School of Biological Sciences of University of Queensland- (St Lucia, Birsbane, Queensland 4072 Australia).

She was a member of the Teaching Staff of the PhD in 1) Biological Evolution and Biochemistry; 2) Genetics and 3) Molecular Biology/Ecology and Sustainable Management of Environmental Resources.

She is a reviewer for international and national projects and numerous international scientific journals. She has obtained several grants from European and national funds.