I am the micro-CT lab manager at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in London, UK. In my role, I collaborate to many different projects in the museum and partner institutions, and I work to preserve the incredible collections for future generations by digitizing as many specimens as possible.

I collaborate with Prof. Ivan Sansom and Dr. Sam Giles at the University of Birmingham on a project studying the evolution of the feeding apparatus in early jawless fishes.

I have completed a Marie Curie post-doctoral fellowship working with Dr. Anjali Goswami at the NHM. I obtained my Ph.D.  from the Joint Doctoral Program in Evolutionary Biology at San Diego State University and University of California, Riverside. 

My main research interest is on the relationship between prenatal development and evolution in Cetacea (whales and dolphins). I investigate the changes in skull anatomy during the development of these animals using CT scanning and quantitative morphological analyses.

During my Ph.D., I specifically studied the development of skull and teeth in Mysticeti (baleen whales)  with my advisor Dr. Annalisa Berta. With my co-advisor Dr. John Gatesy,  I investigated the underlying genetic mechanisms of tooth loss in both baleen and toothed whales.

While my current research mostly deals with anatomy and development, I have a strong background in paleontology. For my Master's dissertation in the Department of Earth Sciences of the University of Pisa (Italy), I studied the anatomy, phylogeny, and paleoenvironment of a poorly known fossil toothed whale from the Pliocene of Italy. My advisor for this project was Dr. Giovanni Bianucci.

I try to spread my passion for anatomy and paleontology through teaching, outreach activities and interactive museum exhibits.

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