Embedded Files
Anna Carboncino, Lab Manager & Technician
Studies in Biological Sciences, University of Naples, Italy
Master in Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience CSIC-UMH of Alicante, Spain
PhD in Neuropsychopharmacology, University of Verona, Italy
Worked as a technical assistant and lab manager in Alicante (Spain), at SISSA (Italy), at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz (Germany), at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York (USA), and at the University College London (UK).
Experienced rodent behaviouralist, rodent surgeon, cell culture expert and molecular biology allrounder.
Well travelled dog lover!
Contact: acarbonc[at]sissa.it
Projects: ERG "FLEXIN" - focus on comparative work, viral tracing
Time in the lab: April 2025 - June 2026
Giuseppina "Giusy" Russo, Master student
I am currently a Neuroscience student at the University of Trieste. My curiosity for this field of study was born during my bachelor's degree in medical biotechnology in Ferrara, concluding with a thesis project on the olfactory bulb. My passion about how the brain works led me to want to specialize in this field: among the vast topics I have been able to address, integrative neurophysiology and cognition are the ones that most captured my interest, especially, the correlation between neural circuits and behavior. I am excited to have the opportunity to gain experience in the “Flexibility in Circuits & Behaviour” Lab with Professor Reinhard, focusing on innate behaviors.
Outside the lab, I play boxing and Bootcamp; I also enjoy immersing myself in reading books.
Contact: giuruss[at]sissa.it
Daily supervisor: Lucia Zanetti, Camilla Lodetti, Katja Reinhard
Projects: ERG "FLEXIN" - focus on evolution of innate behaviours
Time in the lab: March 2025 - May 2026
Zofia Walczak, Erasmus+ intern
My scientific journey began with a deep fascination for biology – during my bachelor's studies, I investigated genetic systems in frog populations, which meant spending countless hours running across meadows and catching amphibians. Yet, my curiosity has always revolved around humans: their brains, behaviors, and inner worlds. That’s why I chose to pursue my master’s in neurobiology at Jagiellonian University in Poland, focusing on how the ketogenic diet affects neuronal plasticity after brain injury.
During my first Erasmus stay in Trieste, I completely fell in love with the city – its sea, light, and rhythm of life. That’s also when I discovered the Reinhard Lab, whose interdisciplinary approach to sensory processing and behavior deeply inspired me. Now I’m back, eager to learn new techniques and immerse myself in optogenetic studies exploring light-driven neural circuits.
Beyond the lab, you’ll probably find me hiking in the mountains, swimming in the sea, or talking to animals I meet along the way. I enjoy learning new things – especially when science meets everyday life – and I'm excited to grow through this experience, both professionally and personally.
Contact: zwalczak[at]sissa.it
Daily supervisor: Lucia Zanetti
Projects: ERG "FLEXIN" - role of melanopsin in light-dependent innate behaviour
Time in the lab: October 2025 - April 2026
Ming-Ching Chiang, Postdoc
During my undergraduate years in Taiwan, I joined Dr. Ho Lin's lab at National Chung Hsin University, sparking my passion for molecular and cellular biology. Motivated by my adventurous spirit, I pursued a PhD in neuroscience in Japan under Dr. Thomas McHugh at RIKEN CBS. Exploring hippocampus-dependent behavior and neurophysiology brought me immense joy.
With my doctorate completed, I returned to Taiwan and joined Dr. Shih-Chieh Lin's lab, investigating basal forebrain activity. Unfortunately, funding constraints cut short our project, prompting me to seek new research opportunities.
Driven by my experiences, I found a new path in Katja's lab at SISSA. Here, I can continue my academic career and satisfy my curiosity with cutting-edge neuroscience techniques.
When I’m not in the lab, I read novels and comics, watch movies, and play Nintendo switch games.
Contact: mchiang[at]sissa.it CV Google Scholar Twitter
Projects: ERG "FLEXIN" - Context-dependent flexibility in innate behaviours and their underlying neural circuitry
Time in the lab: August 2023 - December 2023
Lorenza Tortella, PhD candidate
Since I was a teenager I’ve always been interested in science and I decided to study Biological Sciences (University of Urbino, Italy). During the third year of my bachelor, the first class of neurophysiology held by Professor Stefano Sartini was revealing. Therefore, I decided to do an internship in his laboratory in which I discovered electrophysiology, and it was actually love at first sight. Having the possibility to record cellular activity while neurons are communicating with each other was over my expectation. I moved to Trieste (Italy) to study Neuroscience and during my master thesis I learned patch clamp in vitro in the lab of Professor Laura Ballerini at SISSA. I enjoyed the beautiful scientific environment and decided to apply for a PhD in Neurobiology in SISSA. After having graduated in July 2022, I’m currently a PhD student in the Flexibility in Circuits & Behaviour lab of Professor Katja Reinhard in which I’ll have the opportunity to study how brain circuits work also in vivo and how they are used to adapt and to mediate innate behaviours.
When I’m not in the lab, I like cooking, play boardgames and go out for a tea with good friends. I’m also a cat lover.
Contact: lorenza.tortella[at]sissa.it
Projects: ERG "FLEXIN" - Context-dependent flexibility in innate behaviours and their underlying neural circuitry
Time in the lab: November 2022 - May 2024
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse