Project Officer at Joint Research Centre, Italy
Dr. Diletta Scaccabarozzi is a dedicated researcher and project officer with expertise in molecular and translational medicine, immunology, and infectious diseases, particularly malaria and parasitic infections. Her career bridges the domains of academic research, teaching, and policy-driven scientific initiatives. At the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, she contributes to international projects in public health, ocean and water studies, and innovative health technologies, including COVID-19 protective equipment decontamination. With a strong background as a principal investigator, adjunct professor, and research mentor, she has guided multiple students and trainees while actively engaging in European collaborations. Her research outputs, including publications in peer-reviewed journals and participation in scientific conferences, demonstrate her ability to link fundamental immunological mechanisms with practical applications in health and disease control. Through her combined expertise in scientific inquiry, teaching, and global collaborations, she has established herself as a dynamic contributor to both scientific advancement and societal well-being.
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile | ORCID Profile
Education
Dr. Scaccabarozzi holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Translational Medicine from the Università degli Studi di Milano, where her doctoral research focused on the immunological mechanisms underlying parasitic infections. She also earned a Master’s degree in Pharmacy from the same institution, graduating with the highest honors and qualifying as a licensed pharmacist with distinction. Her academic training was complemented by advanced courses in bioinformatics, flow cytometry, and cell analysis technologies, equipping her with specialized skills for biomedical research. In addition to formal degrees, she pursued international training at the University of Alcalá in Spain and hands-on research experience at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, gaining exposure to cutting-edge immunology and translational medicine methodologies. This strong educational foundation reflects both excellence in academic performance and the pursuit of interdisciplinary skills, enabling her to bridge molecular biology, immunology, and pharmacology in innovative ways throughout her research career.
Experience
Dr. Scaccabarozzi’s professional journey reflects a balance of research, teaching, and policy-driven science. As a Project Officer at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, she contributes to international projects addressing public health, ocean sustainability, and food and health technologies. Previously, she served as a principal investigator and postdoctoral fellow at the Università degli Studi di Milano, leading research on malaria, leishmaniasis, and parasite-host interactions, with a particular focus on macrophage immunology. Her teaching experience includes adjunct professorship roles in pathology, immunology, microbiology, and virology, where she combined lectures with practical laboratory sessions. She has examined and supervised numerous student theses, mentored Erasmus trainees, and engaged in cross-border collaborations in Belgium and Serbia, further strengthening her international profile. Her work on the CoViDec project investigating COVID-19 facemask decontamination highlights her ability to link laboratory research with real-world applications. Collectively, her experiences demonstrate leadership in research, academic mentorship, and applied scientific innovation.
Research Interest
Dr. Scaccabarozzi’s research interests lie at the intersection of immunology, infectious diseases, and translational medicine. She has devoted significant efforts to understanding the mechanisms of host–parasite interactions, particularly in malaria and leishmaniasis, with a focus on the role of macrophages in immune response regulation. Beyond parasitic infections, she is also interested in drug development and novel therapeutic strategies for disease eradication. More recently, her involvement in the European Commission has expanded her interests toward public health applications, environmental health, and the development of innovative strategies for pandemic preparedness, including protective equipment decontamination. Her interdisciplinary perspective allows her to connect fundamental immunological findings with policy and health initiatives, ensuring that scientific research addresses both laboratory questions and societal challenges. With a commitment to global health and sustainable solutions, her research direction emphasizes both advancing scientific understanding and applying it for tangible benefits in healthcare and disease control.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her career, Dr. Scaccabarozzi has received recognition for her academic excellence and research contributions. Graduating with top honors in Pharmacy, she quickly transitioned into a research-intensive path that earned her opportunities to lead independent postdoctoral projects and secure prestigious fellowships. Her international research exchanges, funded through European scientific cooperation programs, highlight the acknowledgment of her expertise and potential within the broader academic community. As a project leader on malaria and COVID-19-related research, she has been entrusted with responsibilities that signify confidence in her leadership and innovation. Additionally, her appointment as an adjunct professor at the Università degli Studi di Milano and her recruitment to permanent positions within the European Commission reflect professional recognition of her scientific achievements and capacity to influence both academia and policy-driven research. These honors collectively illustrate her standing as a respected researcher with contributions recognized at national and international levels.
Research Skills
Dr. Scaccabarozzi possesses a versatile set of research skills spanning molecular biology, immunology, pharmacology, and translational medicine. She is proficient in advanced laboratory techniques including flow cytometry, bioinformatics applications, and cell culture systems, which she has applied extensively in studies of parasite-host interactions and immune responses. Her skills extend to in vivo experimentation, having conducted immunological investigations in animal models of malaria, with expertise in tissue collection, pharmacological treatments, and immunoassay analysis. Beyond laboratory techniques, she has strong project management capabilities, demonstrated through her leadership of multi-institutional projects and supervision of international trainees. She also excels in scientific communication, with experience in lecturing, mentoring, and presenting findings at international conferences. In her current role at the European Commission, she applies her skills to policy-oriented projects, bridging science with societal impact. This combination of technical proficiency, leadership, and interdisciplinary application defines her as a well-rounded and impactful researcher.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Challenges in Measuring In Vitro Activity of LNP-mRNA Therapeutics
Authors: Giuditta Guerrini; Diletta Scaccabarozzi; Dora Mehn; Ambra Sarracino; Sabrina Gioria; Luigi Calzolai
Year: 2025
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Title: Activity of Azole and Non-Azole Substances Against Aspergillus fumigatus in Clinical and Environmental Samples to Address Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Isabella Sanseverino; Diletta Scaccabarozzi; Marcos Cuesta Sanz; Miguel Teixeira; Raquel Sabino; Anna Prigitano; Elena Porcel-Rodríguez; Dimitar Marinov; Livia Gómez; Armin Lahm et al.
Year: 2025
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Title: Analytical Ultracentrifugation to Assess the Quality of LNP-mRNA Therapeutics
Authors: Giuditta Guerrini; Dora Mehn; Diletta Scaccabarozzi; Sabrina Gioria; Luigi Calzolai
Year: 2024
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Title: The Use of Antimalarial Drugs against Viral Infection
Authors: Sarah D’Alessandro; Diletta Scaccabarozzi; Lucia Signorini; Federica Perego; Denise P. Ilboudo; Pasquale Ferrante; Serena Delbue
Year: 2020
Journal: Microorganisms
Title: 4-Aminoquinoline-based compounds as antileishmanial agents that inhibit the energy metabolism of Leishmania
Authors: J.I. Manzano; J. Konstantinović; D. Scaccabarozzi; A. Perea; A. Pavić; L. Cavicchini; N. Basilico; F. Gamarro; B.A. Šolaja
Year: 2019
Journal: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Phytochemical analyses and pharmacological screening of Neem oil
Authors: S. Cesa; F. Sisto; G. Zengin; D. Scaccabarozzi; A.K. Kokolakis; M.M. Scaltrito; R. Grande; M. Locatelli; F. Cacciagrano; L. Angiolella et al.
Year: 2019
Journal: South African Journal of Botany
Title: Differential induction of malaria liver pathology in mice infected with Plasmodium chabaudi AS or Plasmodium berghei NK65
Authors: D. Scaccabarozzi; K. Deroost; Y. Corbett; N. Lays; P. Corsetto; F.O. Salè; P.E. Van Den Steen; D. Taramelli
Year: 2018
Journal: Malaria Journal
Title: Interplay between Plasmodium falciparum haemozoin and L-arginine: Implication for nitric oxide production
Authors: Y. Corbett; S. D’Alessandro; S. Parapini; D. Scaccabarozzi; P. Kalantari; S. Zava; F. Giavarini; D. Caruso; I. Colombo; T.J. Egan et al.
Year: 2018
Journal: Malaria Journal
Title: Novel Aminoquinoline Derivatives Significantly Reduce Parasite Load in Leishmania infantum Infected Mice
Authors: J. Konstantinović; M. Videnović; S. Orsini; K. Bogojević; S. D’Alessandro; D. Scaccabarozzi; N. Terzić Jovanović; L. Gradoni; N. Basilico; B.A. Šolaja
Year: 2018
Journal: ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Title: HaCaT Cells as a Reliable In Vitro Differentiation Model to Dissect the Inflammatory/Repair Response of Human Keratinocytes
Authors: I. Colombo; E. Sangiovanni; R. Maggio; C. Mattozzi; S. Zava; Y. Corbett; M. Fumagalli; C. Carlino; P.A. Corsetto; D. Scaccabarozzi et al.
Year: 2017
Journal: Mediators of Inflammation
Title: Altered lipid composition of surfactant and lung tissue in murine experimental malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: D. Scaccabarozzi; K. Deroost; N. Lays; F.O. Salè; P.E. Van Den Steen; D. Taramelli
Year: 2015
Journal: PLoS ONE
Conclusion
Dr. Diletta Scaccabarozzi is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her strong academic foundation, leadership in European and international research projects, and impactful contributions in infectious disease research, immunology, and translational medicine. Her career reflects a balance of scientific innovation, policy relevance, and mentorship, making her not only an outstanding researcher but also a contributor to broader society. With her ongoing role at the European Commission and international collaborations, she holds significant potential for future leadership in global health research and scientific diplomacy.
