I completed my medical training at the University of Catania (Italy) and became a neurologist in 1993. After earning my PhD in neurobiology at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), I pursued postdoctoral research in the United States. In 1996, I moved to the Netherlands and, since 1998, I have been working in the Department of Neuropathology at Amsterdam UMC (UvA). Here, I completed my training in neuropathology, and in 2013, I was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the UvA.

My research interests span various fields, with a particular focus on the neuropathology and molecular mechanisms of neurological diseases. Over the past decades, significant advancements have been made in the neuroscientific study of neuromuscular disorders. This growing understanding of disease processes requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating neuropathology within the clinical context alongside various clinical disciplines and fundamental neuroscience. Neuropathology serves as a crucial bridge between clinical practice and basic research.

As a neuropathologist, my role includes optimizing collaboration among university medical centers in the field of neuropathology for neuromuscular diseases. This involves key initiatives such as the Dutch Neuromuscular Tissue Bank and NL-NMD, fostering integration between research and clinical care to advance the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular disorders.