Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valentina Perissi | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award
Boston University, United States
Profiles
Early Academic Pursuits
Valentina Perissi began her academic journey at the University of Torino, Italy, where she earned a Laurea degree (equivalent to a combined BSc/MSc) in Molecular Biology in July 1997. She then advanced her expertise at the University of California San Diego, completing her PhD in Molecular Pathology in March 2004. Following her doctoral studies, she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at the same institution, focusing on Epigenetics, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, which she completed in June 2010. These foundational years established her deep knowledge in molecular biology and paved the way for her interdisciplinary research.
Professional Endeavors
Currently, Dr. Perissi holds the position of Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine. Beyond her faculty role, she has taken on leadership responsibilities as the Co-Director of the Boston Nutrition Obesity Research Center (BNORC) for the past three years. This NIDDK-funded center fosters collaboration among researchers from four leading Boston institutions, bridging nutrition and obesity studies to address metabolic diseases. Her role as co-director highlights her commitment to scientific leadership and collaborative research environments.
Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Perissi’s research focuses on the intricate molecular mechanisms governing metabolic adaptation in response to nutrient availability, cellular differentiation, and oxidative stress. Over the last decade, her laboratory has concentrated on elucidating mitochondria-nuclear communication pathways, specifically the crosstalk between metabolism and epigenetics in adipose tissue and breast cancer cells. Her innovative work contributes to a deeper understanding of how cellular metabolism influences gene regulation, with implications for obesity, cancer, and metabolic diseases.
Impact and Influence
Dr. Perissi has authored more than 30 high-impact publications in leading journals, reflecting her significant contributions to molecular and cellular biology. She has been recognized as a thought leader in her field, evidenced by numerous invited talks at prestigious international conferences such as the Nature Conference on Mitochondria and Immunity (Beijing), Cold Spring Harbor Asia Conferences, Gordon Conference, and the American Diabetes Association Annual Meeting. Her scientific influence extends globally, shaping current understanding in mitochondrial biology and metabolism.
Academic Citations and Recognition
Her scholarly work has garnered substantial citations, underscoring the broad relevance and adoption of her research findings. Dr. Perissi’s accolades include prestigious awards and fellowships such as the ISSNAF Award for Biomedicine and Cognitive Sciences (Honorable Mention), the Peter T. Paul Career Development Professorship at Boston University, the K99/R00 NIH Pathway to Independence Award, and fellowships from NIH and leading research organizations in Italy. These honors reflect her outstanding scientific rigor and career development.
Technical Skills
Dr. Perissi’s expertise spans advanced molecular biology techniques, including epigenetic assays, metabolic flux analysis, mitochondrial functional studies, and cellular differentiation protocols. Her lab integrates multi-disciplinary approaches combining cell biology, biochemistry, and systems biology to dissect complex signaling pathways regulating metabolism and gene expression.
Teaching and Mentorship Experience
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Perissi has been deeply invested in mentoring the next generation of scientists. She currently leads a diverse and collaborative team consisting of 1 research faculty member, 5 postdoctoral fellows, 11 predoctoral students (including PhD and Master’s candidates from programs in Molecular Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Genomics, and Nutrition and Metabolism), as well as 19 undergraduate students. Her mentorship fosters scientific growth and encourages interdisciplinary training.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Perissi’s work sits at the crossroads of metabolism, epigenetics, and disease, promising to unlock new therapeutic targets for obesity and cancer. Looking ahead, her continued leadership at BNORC and Boston University will expand collaborative research and translate fundamental discoveries into clinical applications. Her commitment to mentorship and innovative science secures her legacy as a transformative figure in biomedical research.
Notable Publications
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GPS2-mediated regulation of the adipocyte secretome modulates adipose tissue remodeling at the onset of diet-induced obesity
Authors: Justin English, Joseph Orofino, Carly T. Cederquist, Indranil Paul, Hao Li, Johan Auwerx, Andrew Emili, Anna Belkina, Dafne Cardamone, Valentina Perissi
Journal: Molecular Metabolism
Year: 2023 -
Inhibition of K63 ubiquitination by G-Protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) regulates mitochondria-associated translation
Authors: Yuan Gao, Julian Kwan, Joseph Orofino, Justin English, Ryan Hekman, Shawn M. Lyons, Andrew Emili, Maria Dafne Cardamone, Valentina Perissi
Type: Preprint
Year: 2022 -
Neuralized-like protein 4 (NEURL4) mediates ADP-ribosylation of mitochondrial proteins
Authors: Maria Dafne Cardamone, Yuan Gao, Julian Kwan, Vanessa Hayashi, Megan Sheeran, Junxiang Xu, Justin English, Joseph Orofino, Andrew Emili, Valentina Perissi
Journal: Journal of Cell Biology
Year: 2022 -
Erratum: Actionable Cytopathogenic Host Responses of Human Alveolar Type 2 Cells to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Hekman, R.M., Hume, A.J., Goel, R.K., Abo, K.M., Huang, J., Blum, B.C., Werder, R.B., Suder, E.L., Paul, I., Phanse, S. et al.
Journal: Molecular Cell
Year: 2021 -
Loss of G-Protein Pathway Suppressor 2 Promotes Tumor Growth Through Activation of AKT Signaling
Authors: Chan, S., Smith, E., Gao, Y., Kwan, J., Blum, B.C., Tilston-Lunel, A.M., Turcinovic, I., Varelas, X., Cardamone, M.D., Monti, S. et al.
Journal: Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
Year: 2021
Impact and Influence
Academic Publications and Citations
Technical Skills
Teaching and Mentorship
Legacy and Future Contributions
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