Serena Vita | Arbovirosi | Women Researcher Award
Dr. Serena Vita , Istituto Nazionale di Malattie Infettive, Lazzaro Spallanzani, Italy.
Serena Vita is an accomplished researcher specializing in arbovirosis, focusing on viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Her innovative work in epidemiology, vector control, and public health strategies has significantly contributed to the prevention and management of arboviral diseases, particularly in tropical regions. Recognized for her groundbreaking research, Dr. Vita has received the Women Researcher Award, honoring her leadership in the field of infectious diseases and her dedication to advancing global health initiatives.
Profile:
Education and Training
Dr. Serena Vita holds a robust academic background in infectious diseases. She earned an MSc in Antibiotic Stewardship from the Catholic University of Rome in 2021, focusing on infectious diseases and hospital infections. Prior to this, she completed an MSc in Sepsis and Surgery (2013-2014) from the same university, specializing in hospital infections and surgical infections. Dr. Vita obtained her PhD in Infectivological Science and Immunological Therapies from the University of Rome Sapienza (2009-2013), where her research focused on T cell phenotypes during chronic CMV infection. Earlier, she completed an Infectious Disease Training Course at the same institution (2005-2009), graduating cum laude with a thesis on meningoencephalitis in pediatric cases.
Experience
Dr. Serena Vita has extensive experience in the field of infectious diseases, currently serving as an Infectious Disease Consultant at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (INMI) IRCCS L. Spallanzani in Rome, where she focuses on both clinical care and research. From 2017 to 2019, she worked at Santa Maria Goretti Hospital in Latina, coordinating clinical, research, and training programs on HIV and CMV infections in adults and pregnant women. Prior to that, she was a Research Fellow at Sapienza University of Rome, leading a project on HCV-related hepatopathy and CMV co-infection. Between 2014 and 2017, she worked as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Infectious Disease Italian Society, conducting research on immune responses in chronic CMV infection in HIV patients. Earlier in her career, she was a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Pasteur Institute, studying the impact of CMV infection on immune markers in HIV-infected individuals. From 2012 to 2017, she also served as an Infectious Disease Consultant at AUXILIUM, providing healthcare and treatment for migrant populations.
Field of Interest
Dr. Serena Vita’s principal areas of expertise lie in the clinical management of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, including COVID-19. She has a strong interest in the immunology of infectious diseases, focusing on the intricate host-pathogen interactions. Additionally, she is deeply committed to improving migrant health, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive appropriate care and attention in the context of infectious disease outbreaks.
Academic Activities
Dr. Serena Vita has been actively involved in academic activities, serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Infectious Diseases course (2015–2018) in both the Italian (“C”) and English (“F”) degree programs in Medicine and Dentistry at Sapienza University of Rome, under the direction of Prof. M.R. Ciardi. Between 2013 and 2017, she tutored PhD students in Infectious Disease Sciences and Immunological Therapies, working with Prof. Vincenzo Vullo in the Infectious Diseases laboratory, where she supervised PhD theses on HIV, HCV, HIV/HCV co-infection, and Tuberculosis. Her work included training in techniques like PBMC isolation, lymphocyte stimulation, and flow cytometry. Additionally, in 2012, she contributed to the Second Level Master’s program in Clinical Neuroimmunology at Sapienza University, coordinated by Prof. Ada Francia. Earlier in her career, from 2006 to 2010, she lectured on Infectious and Tropical Diseases in the elective module of Integrated Pathology V for the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery at Sapienza University.
Top Note Publications
Antinori, A., Mazzotta, V., Vita, S.*, Carletti, F., Tacconi, D., Lapini, L. E., D’Abramo, A., Cicalini, S., Lapa, D., Pittalis, S., Puro, V., Rivano Capparuccia, M., Giombini, E., Gruber, C. E. M., Garbuglia, A. R., Marani, A., Vairo, F., Girardi, E., … Vaia, F. (2022). Epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of four cases of monkeypox support transmission through sexual contact, Italy, May 2022. Eurosurveillance, 27(22), 2200421. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.22.2200421.
Impact Factor: 19, Citations: 398 (*corresponding author).
D’Abramo, A., Vita, S., Maffongelli, G., Mariano, A., Agrati, C., Castilletti, C., Goletti, D., Ippolito, G., & Nicastri, E. (2021). Prolonged and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients under B-cell-depleting drug successfully treated: A tailored approach. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 107, 247–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.04.068.
Impact Factor: 12.7, Citations: 36.
D’Abramo*, A., Vita*, S., Maffongelli, G., Beccacece, A., Agrati, C., Cimini, E., Colavita, F., Giancola, M. L., Cavasio, A., & Nicastri, E. (2022). Clinical management of patients with B-cell depletion agents to treat or prevent prolonged and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: Defining a treatment pathway. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 911339. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.911339.
Impact Factor: 7.3, Citations: 16 (*both first authors).
Vita, S., Di Bari, V., Corpolongo, A., Goletti, D., Espinosa, J., Petracca, S., Palmieri, F., Nicastri, E., Abbonizio, Agrati, C., … Valli, M. B. (2021). Down syndrome patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: A high-risk category for unfavorable outcome. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 103, 607–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.11.188.
Impact Factor: 12.7, Citations: 12.
Vita, S., Rosati, S., Ascoli Bartoli, T., Beccacece, A., D’Abramo, A., Mariano, A., Scorzolini, L., Goletti, D., & Nicastri, E. (2022). Monoclonal antibodies for pre- and postexposure prophylaxis of COVID-19: Review of the literature. Pathogens, 11(8), 882. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080882.
Impact Factor: 3.7, Citations: 13.
Vita, S., D’Abramo, A., Coppola, A., Farroni, C., Iori, A. P., Faraglia, F., Sette, A., Grifoni, A., Lindestam Arlehamn, C., Bibas, M., … Nicastri, E. (2024). Combined antiviral therapy as an effective and feasible option in allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report. Frontiers in Oncology, 14, 1290614. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1290614.
Impact Factor: 3.5, Citations: 4.
Vita, S., Bordi, L., Sberna, G., Caputi, P., Lapa, D., Corpolongo, A., Mija, C., D’Abramo, A., Maggi, F., Vairo, F., … Nicastri, E. (2024). Autochthonous dengue fever in 2 patients, Rome, Italy. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3001.231508.
Impact Factor: 7.2, Citations: 1.
Farroni, C., Aiello, A., Picchianti-Diamanti, A., Laganà, B., Petruccioli, E., Agrati, C., Garbuglia, A. R., Meschi, S., Lapa, D., Cuzzi, G., … Vita, S., … Goletti, D. (2022). Booster dose of SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA vaccines strengthens the specific immune response of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A prospective multicenter longitudinal study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 125, 195–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2022.10.035.
Impact Factor: 8.4, Citations: 24.
Mondi, A., Lorenzini, P., Castilletti, C., Gagliardini, R., Lalle, E., Corpolongo, A., Valli, M. B., Taglietti, F., Cicalini, S., Loiacono, L., … Zito, S. (2021). Risk and predictive factors of prolonged viral RNA shedding in upper respiratory specimens in a large cohort of COVID-19 patients admitted to an Italian reference hospital. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 105, 532–539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2021.02.117.
Impact Factor: 12.7, Citations: 22.
Vita, S., Centanni, D., Lanini, S., Piselli, P., Rosati, S., Giancola, M., Mondi, A., Pinnetti, C., Topino, S., Chinello, P., … Nicastri, E. (2021). Benefits of steroid therapy in COVID-19 patients with different PaO2/FiO2 ratio at admission. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(15), 3236. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10153236.
Impact Factor: 4.9, Citations: 4.