She is Born in Siena in 1974, Ilaria Meloni graduated in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena, where she subsequently obtained a Ph.D. in Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, Neuroprotection, and Neurorepair in rare neurological diseases, with the Specialization in Genetics Medical. After some brief experiences abroad, is currently an Associate Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Siena. Her main research interest is the molecular basis of intellectual disability, with a special focus on X-linked forms, in particular on Rett syndrome. In this context, she has been involved for years in the study of the mechanisms underlying the syndrome, using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a patient-specific cellular model. Currently, she is also studying the possible application of gene editing via CRISPR / Cas9 as an approach for correcting pathogenic mutations in the MECP2 gene. She is one of the inventors of the patent “CRISPR-Cas system for gene therapy” (Patent application N° 102018000020230) for the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in rare genetic diseases.

She is Born in Siena in 1991, Susanna Croci graduated in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena, where she subsequently obtained a Ph.D. in Genetics, Oncology, and Clinical Medicine (GenOMeC). She is one of the inventors of the patent: “CRISPR-Cas system for gene therapy” (Patent application N° 102018000020230) for the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology in rare genetic diseases. She is currently a research fellow at the Medical Genetics Department of the Siena Hospital (Department of Medical Biotechnology) and her main interest is the application of gene therapy, focusing on gene editing for the study of new precision medicine approaches applied to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Rett syndrome and IQSEC2. For this type of research, she characterizes induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a patient-specific cellular model and their differentiation into neurons. Dr. Croci is a contract professor at the University of Siena teaching two master's degrees: Bioinformatics and Data Science; (director Prof. Moreno Falaschi) and Medical Genetics (director Prof. Alessandra Renieri). She is also a teaching assistant in various degree courses in the health professions and in the Genetic Counselors course at the University of Siena.

MECPer-3D Project Manager

Born in Amman, Jordan. Has a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Worked as a research assistant at the Czech Academy of Science in Prague. She is currently enrolled at the University of Siena to pursue a macro master's in Genetic counseling, as well as, the University of Queensland to pursue a micro master's in Business Leadership.