Dr. Laura Civiero, PhD, is a biologist with a Master Degree in Molecular Biology (2006) and a PhD in Biotechnology (2010). Since 2010 she works at the Dept of Biology, University of Padova as senior post-doc fellow. Her main expertise is in Biochemistry and Neuroscience, with a particular focus on the (patho)biology of proteins involved in genetic Parkinson’s disease (PD). She is author of 18 peer-reviewed articles in international scientific journals and 1 book chapter. Her main achievements include a detailed characterization of the biochemical and cellular properties of the PD-linked Leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and related proteins and the discovery (with proteomic and lipidomic high-throughput approaches) and validation both in vitro and in vivo of novel signaling pathways linked to PD.

Laura Civiero’s research interests involve the investigation of the role of LRRK2 and other PD-linked proteins in astrocytes, cells where mutated proteins may hamper fundamental and supportive functions needed for neuronal survival. Her past and present research work is carried on in collaboration with international research groups where she is conducting in part her research activity.