
Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski
PI
Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski (AKR)’s training is in molecular virology and innate immunity. After studying innate immune responses and genetic susceptibility to flaviviral infections during her PhD at the Pasteur Institute, Paris, France, she continued her post-doctoral training in molecular virology at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute, OSR, Milan, Italy, working on Influenza and HIV. She then joined the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), OSR, in Milan as Project Leader in 2012, promoted Group Leader in July 2016. In October 2023 AKR will start in her new position as Full Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Pavia and pursue her research at the Department of Biology and Biochemistry.
AKR Team
Carolina Petrillo
Post-Doc
![Petrillo_Headshot[610]_CP.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68c7df_53ddd6f282ff4cbe847c848c3b244a11~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_284,h_289,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Petrillo_Headshot%5B610%5D_CP.jpg)
I joined Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski’s lab at University of Pavia as a Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Postdoctoral fellow in September 2025. My research focuses on understanding the impact of dysregulated inflammation on hematopoiesis. The molecular mechanisms regulating hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) biology during physiological as well as diseased conditions have always been my main area of interest and fascination. As a
PhD student at San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy in Milan, I was able to develop novel and more efficient gene transfer protocols and to shed light on the innate immune antiviral state inhibiting HSC manipulation. I moved to United States for a postdoctoral training at Columbia University in New York and got promoted to Associate Research Scientist. My research aimed at investigating the role of innate immunity in the progression of age-related blood malignancies. I am committed to keep contributing to science to help uncovering disease mechanisms and test potential treatments for patients.
Giovanni Crivicich
Post-Doc

I am an AIRC-founded Post-Doctoral fellow in Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski’s lab at University of Pavia, where I focus on unraveling the complexities of cellular processes at the molecular level. With a strong background in genetics and biochemistry, I am passionate about understanding how genes and proteins interact to drive biological functions and disease. My research involves cutting-edge techniques such as CRISPR gene editing, RNA sequencing, and advanced microscopy, aiming to uncover new insights into cellular behavior. My work is centered on understanding the cellular mechanisms that detect, repair, and respond to DNA damage. Specifically, I investigate the molecular pathways that maintain genome stability and protect cells from genotoxic stress. I am committed to pushing the boundaries of molecular biology and by elucidating these mechanisms, I hope to contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer and other genetic diseases linked to DNA repair deficiencies.
Alessandro Mapelli
PhD student

I hold a Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Milan. My journey into research began as a master’s student in Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski's lab at SR-Tiget, based at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, where I worked on modeling Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome (AGS).
I continued as a research fellow, in both Milan and Pavia. Today, I am pursuing my PhD with IUSS, where I am investigating the molecular pathways underpinning AGS. My current research focuses on using cellular models to better understand the fundamental mechanisms driving this disease, with the aim of identifying potential therapeutic targets.
As a researcher, I am deeply curious and motivated to uncover the molecular underpinnings of complex diseases. I am particularly drawn to the intricate interactions within cellular pathways and the potential to contribute to advances in gene therapy and molecular medicine.
Silvia Piccolo
PhD student

I’ve graduated in Biology Applied to Research in Biomedicine in 2023 from the University of Milan. I currently work in the team led by Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski at the University of Pavia, Italy. I work on the innate immune barriers affecting lentiviral gene therapy vectors.
As an aspiring researcher, I have always been curious and ambitious in understanding how and why biological processes are taking place.
I had the opportunity to attend my internship at San Raffaele Hospital, a highly stimulating environment that made me realize how important it was for me to be able to contribute to the world of biological research. I am deeply interested in immune responses and all of the intricacies of gene therapy as it is a very complex and innovative branch of biotechnologies.
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Radu Marian Rivara
Lab manager

I hold a bachelor's degree in Biosciences and Biotechnology from the University of Camerino, and I have continued my studies with a master's degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Pavia. My master’s thesis, conducted at Humanitas Research Hospital, explored the ex vivo effects of Apremilast on monocyte-derived macrophages cells.
I joined the AKR as a research fellow, but quickly adapted to the lab environment and now I am the lab manager/lab technician. I oversee daily operations, manage inventories, handle administrative tasks, maintain equipment and support the ongoing research of my fellow colleagues. I ensure that the lab runs smoothly and efficinetly while contributing to scientific progress.
Aurelia Divittorio
Research Fellow

​I’m a 1st year Research Fellow in Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski's Lab at University of Pavia where I earned my Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics. During the years of my Master’s degree, I consolidated my passion for molecular biology as I am fascinated by cellular mechanisms, both in healthy cells and in the context of disease. Over the course of my master thesis' internship I had the opportunity to learn many laboratory techniques that helped me uncover crucial molecular mechanisms behind rare diseases such as Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). By being part of Professor Kajaste's team, I would like to continue in contributing to clinical research, with the aim of combining my theoretical knowledge with practical applications that can improve patients' lives.
Meet our Students

Edoardo Sanvito
Master Student in Experimental and Applied Biology
I am a second-year master’s student in Experimental and Applied Biology at the Università degli Studi di Pavia. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology, and my laboratory experience began during my undergraduate thesis internship in 2024, which I carried out in Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski's Lab. There, I had the opportunity to work on Alessandro’s project focused on Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, allowing me to enhance my technical skills and deepen my understanding of molecular biology. I believe that biotechnology holds the key to unraveling the fundamental mechanisms of life, offering insights into the questions I have always been eager to explore.

Francesco Pio Garofalo
Master Student in Experimental and Applied Biology
I am a second-year Master’s student in Experimental and Applied Biology at the University of Pavia, with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. My scientific background began with an internship focused on genetic variant annotation, and my laboratory experience started in the Prof. Anna Kajaste-Rudnitski's Lab. Currently, I am working with Dr. Carolina Petrillo on dissecting innate immunity factors involved in DNA repair mechanisms in Glioblastoma Multiforme. This project is allowing me to strengthen my laboratory skills and learning new techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms. I am driven by a strong interest in understanding basic biological mechanisms and their relevance to human disease and I am planning to continue my academic path by pursuing a PhD in biomedical research.

