Biological Psychiatry · Spatio-Temporal Transcriptomics · Bayesian Modeling · Machine Learning · Longitudinal Modeling
M.Sc. in Applied Psychology
Oct 2024 – Present
University of Trieste, Italy
- Current GPA: 29.5/30
- Concentration in quantitative and computational methods for behavioral genetics
- Coursework in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Bayesian modeling, and longitudinal data analysis
- Advanced training in probabilistic inference and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods
- EQF Level 7 | 120 ECTS
B.Sc. in Psychology (Cum Laude)
Aug 2021 – Sep 2024
University of Trieste, Italy
- Thesis: “The well-being of the athlete: analysis of the literature, evolutionary models, and predictive models”
- EQF Level 6 | 180 ECTS
Research Assistant
Aug – Nov 2025
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
Behavior, Environment, and Genetics Laboratory (PI: Dr. Emma C. Johnson), behavioral genetics and biological psychiatry.
Goal: Study the genetic architecture of the psychosis spectrum using post-GWAS analyses and characterizing its biological functioning with enrichment and functional analyses.
- Performed ultivariate genetic modeling (GenomicSEM) to understand the dimensionality of psychosis
- Performed post-GWAS functional annotation via MAGMA and stratified LD score regression (S-LDSC), using recent omics-based annotations and BaselineV2.2
- Computed spatiotemporal bulk RNA-seq trajectories across brain development using the BrainSpan dataset
- Computed Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) via SBayesRC
- Deployed genomic pipelines on HPC clusters (SLURM, job arrays)
- Programming in R and Python for biological analyses
Goal: Develop genetically informed longitudinal models to study the interplay between genetic liability and childhood development, encompassing both clinical and behavioral traits.
- Performed growth mixture models of executive functions trajectories across development using the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA)
- Curated survival analysis (Cox proportional hazards) in COGA for a longitudinal joint model
- Longitudinal Phenome-wide Association Study (PheWAS) on the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study
Statistical Software:
R, Python, Stan/cmdstanr (Bayesian MCMC)
Genomics Tools:
plink, GenomicSEM, MAGMA, stratified-LDSC, FUMA, SBayesRC, DESeq2, edgeR
Statistical Methods:
Bayesian hierarchical models, SEM, longitudinal mixed models, survival analysis (Cox), RNA-seq analysis, Polygenic Risk Scores, GWAS downstream analyses
Computing:
HPC cluster systems (SLURM), Linux/bash scripting, Git
Parsing the Functional Heterogeneity of the Psychosis Spectrum: A Clinically Informed Application of Genomic Structural Equation Modeling
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA · University of Trieste, Italy
Role:
First author
This manuscript uses GenomicSEM, a multivariate post-GWAS framework for SEM models, biological annotations, tissue enrichments and transcriptome trajectories to disentangle the genetic heterogeneity of the psychosis continuum.
Characterizing the Sex-Specific Genetic Architecture of Substance Use Disorders
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA · University of Trieste, Italy
Role:
Co-author
This work performs cross-ancestry, sex-stratified GWAS analyses of traits within the substance-use domain.
Longitudinal Phenome-wide Association Study (PheWAS) in ABCD
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA · University of Trieste, Italy
Role:
Co-author
This work applies a longitudinal PheWAS framework to the ABCD dataset, linking genetic liability for psychosis dimensions to developmental trajectories across childhood.
Behavior Genetics Association (BGA) Annual Meeting
Jun 2026
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Role:
Symposium Chair & Speaker
Symposium:
Genes and Time: A Dive Into the Temporal Dynamics of Human Phenotypes
Discussant:
Michael C. Neale
Oral Presentation:
Dissecting the spectrum of psychosis: leveraging time and dimensionality to explore multiple, functionally separable sources of genetic risk.
Sclisizzo L, Baranger DAA, Clapp Sullivan ML, Hatoum AS, Burnett C, Del Giudice M, Johnson EC.
Behavior Genetics Association Annual Meeting
Jun 2026
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Attended the annual international conference of the Behavior Genetics Association (BGA), featuring the latest research in behavioral and statistical genetics.
Evolutionary Psychiatry and Genetics Conference
Jul 2024
Ettore Majorana Foundation, Erice, Italy
Intensive course “Towards a new science of mental disorders: bridging evolution and genetics”. Interdisciplinary forum connecting evolutionary psychiatry, psychopathology, and recent findings in behavioral genetics and genomics.
21st European Conference on Personality (ECP21)
Aug 2024
Berlin, Germany
Biennial conference of personality psychology, with emphasis on innovative assessment methods leveraging mobile sensing and AI technologies.
BGA Travel Award
2026
Behavior Genetics Association
Travel award supporting attendance at the Behavior Genetics Association Annual Meeting in Amsterdam.
INPS Scholarship - Academic Merit Awars
2022
National Institure for Social Security INPS
Scholarship award of 2000€ for academic results
Young Athlete of the Year
2019
Evergreen Life Foundation, in collaboration with USSI FVG
Scholarship award of 1500€ for combining academic performance with athletic achievement.
Clinical Training with Autism
Feb 2026 – July 2026
ProgettoAutismo FVG, Udine, Italy
- Gained experience in clinical practice with Autism
- Collaborated in an European research project to develop a predictive model for meltdown episodes
International Racing Service – Biathlon
Nov 2023 – Mar 2025
Salomon S.A.S., Annecy, France
- Provided high-performance technical support for two world-cup season across the world preparing and adjusting equipment within tight pre-race windows
- Collaborated with several elite national teams
- Collaborated with the R&D department to improve high-performance ski gears contributing to increasing product performance
- Operated in high-pressure international environments
Professional Cross-Country Skier – Italian National Team
Oct 2019 – Oct 2022
Army’s Sport Center (Centro Sportivo Esercito), Courmayeur, Italy
- Represented Italy in national and international cross-country ski competitions
- 3rd place finish at the World Championships; multiple European Cup podiums
- Participated at the European Youth Olimpic Festival
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary performance teams (coaches, physiotherapists, sports psychologists)
- Demonstrated high performance under competitive pressure and elite-level self-regulation
Psychology Trainee – Sport Psychology Unit
Nov 2022 – May 2023
FIGC (Italian Football Federation), Regional Center, Palmanova, Italy
- Analyzed coach-athlete communication dynamics
- Delivered emotional regulation training programs for coaches
- Facilitated goal-setting processes for individual and team performance objectives
- Led structured activities aimed at improving teamwork and team cohesion
Italian:
Native
English:
Proficient (C1) – TOEFL iBT score 110 / 120
French:
Basic (A1–A2)