Dr. Livia D’Angelo is a neuroanatomist, at the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions at University of Naples, Federico II (Italy). She obtained Ph.D in Model Organisms in Biomedical and Veterinary Research, at University of Naples Federico II. She was visiting scientist at FLI-Leibniz Institute for Ageing Research in Jena (Germany). She is currently Assistant Professor at the University of Naples, Federico II (Italy). She has been deeply involved in the neuroanatomy of vertebrate models, particularly teleost fish used as model species for ageing research. Studies in her lab have been addressed to better understand the role of neurotrophic factors, mainly neurotrophins, and also neuropeptides regulating the energy homeostasis and food intake in the central and peripheral nervous system of two teleost model zebrafish and Nothobranchius furzeri. The latter is a validated vertebrate model for ageing studies. She also studied the morphology of retina of this model, with particular interest in the expression of neurotrophic factor, and their involvement during adulthood and ageing. This represents an excellent model also for neurodegeneration, including retinal degeneration. The role of neurotrophic factors in the brain of these two model species has been investigated by conducting morphophysiological, biomolecular and biochemical techniques.

Her main research interest is the neurobiology of ageing, including physiological and degenerative processes within the brain.