Dr. Cesira Giordano, Medicinal Chemistry, Women Researcher Award
Doctorate at Azienda Opedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Italy
Professional Profiles
🎓 Education and Academic Background
Cesira Giordano, born on January 28, 1987, holds a Master’s Degree in Molecular Biology, with a specialization in Microbiology and Virology. She furthered her expertise by completing a 2nd level Master’s in OMIC Data Analysis, reflecting her commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into her field.
🧑‍🔬 Professional Qualifications and Current Role
Since October 2019, Cesira has held a permanent position as a Biologist Manager at the Hospital Microbiology Department of Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana (AOUP) in Pisa. As a Clinical Microbiologist, she is responsible for key microbiological analyses, including regional control measures in line with Tuscany’s Decree No. 16286 of 2017. Cesira’s work ensures public health laboratories maintain their high standards, particularly through her role as the Single EQA (External Quality Assessment) contact person for SD Hospital Microbiology at AOUP.
🏆 Leadership in Public Health and Tender Commissions
Cesira has been actively involved in public health laboratory management, serving as a Tender Commissioner for various public health tenders in 2023 and 2024. Her roles include:
- June 2024: Tender Commissioner for AOUP ESTAR, overseeing consumables and accessories for public health laboratories.
- September 2023: Tender Commissioner for AOUP, focusing on microbiological identifications and antibiotic testing (Antibiograms).
- July 2023–Ongoing: AOUP Contact Person for the Tuscany Region regarding communications about Listeria monocytogenes.
🔬 Research Contributions and Innovations
Cesira’s research focuses on the development and application of innovative microbiological technologies. Between 2018 and 2019, she was awarded a research grant to develop Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technology for identifying bacteria and yeast. This work, conducted in collaboration with the University of Pisa, has laid the groundwork for bacterial typing and investigating antibiotic resistance.
Her other research highlights include:
2018: Development of rapid antibiogram protocols for multi-organ donor samples, under the supervision of Dr. Simona Barnini.
2017: Analysis of the genomes of Klebsiella pneumoniae using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques. This project aimed at identifying new genes responsible for antibiotic resistance, carried out under the leadership of Dr. Simona Barnini.
🌍 International Research and Collaboration
In 2016, Cesira expanded her research experience internationally, spending time at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Netherlands. There, she worked on whole genome sequencing of multi-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, contributing to the understanding of antibiotic resistance mechanisms under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Alexander Friedrich, Dr. Erik Bathoorn, and Dr. John Rossen.
🧪 Pioneering Work in Microbiological Diagnostics
Cesira has made significant strides in rapid diagnostic methodologies. In 2016, she played a crucial role in developing rapid molecular and phenotypic antibiograms aimed at diagnosing sepsis swiftly. The protocols she helped develop reduced diagnostic time to as little as 3-6 hours after blood culture positivity, using advanced techniques like MALDI TOF MS. These advancements have greatly improved clinical response times in critical cases, saving lives.
Publications Top Notedđź“š
Frequency of cefiderocol heteroresistance among patients treated with cefiderocol for carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections
Authors: Shields, R.K., Dorazio, A.J., Tiseo, G., Doi, Y., Falcone, M.
Journal: JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance
Year: 2024
Glycine restores the sensitivity to antibiotics in multidrug-resistant bacteria
Authors: Giordano, C., Barnini, S.
Journal: Microbiology Spectrum
Year: 2024
Clinical Features and Outcomes of Infections Caused by Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales: A 3-Year Prospective Study from an Endemic Area
Authors: Falcone, M., Giordano, C., Leonildi, A., Barnini, S., Tiseo, G.
Journal: Clinical Infectious Diseases
Year: 2024
Real-world experience with meropenem/vaborbactam for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacterales and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Tiseo, G., Galfo, V., Riccardi, N., Barnini, S., Falcone, M.
Journal: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Year: 2024
Activity of novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations against serine carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lee, S.Y., Gill, C.M., Nicolau, D.P., Fang, F., Thomson, G.
Journal: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Year: 2023