Author: consigliolab

This week, the FENS Forum 2026 took place in Barcelona, where our PhD student Jara Montero Muñoz and our former PhD student Veronica Testa, now a postdoctoral researcher at VIB-CMN, presented two posters showcasing their latest research.

Jara Montero Muñoz: Astrocytes-microglia crosstalk and CCL2-mediated neuronal vulnerability in Parkinson´s Disease using iPSC-dereived Models

Veronica Testa: Astrocytic Ceruloplasmin Deficiency Triggers Iron Toxicity and Neurodegeneration in an LRRK2 Parkinson’s Tri-culture Model

Congratulations, Jara and Veronica!

On July 5, several current and former members of the Consiglio Lab attended the GLIA Satellite Meeting. It was a pleasure to see our former PhD student, Veronica Testa, now a postdoctoral researcher at VIB-CMN, present her work on how astrocytic ceruloplasmin deficiency triggers iron toxicity and neurodegeneration in an LRRK2 Parkinson’s tri-culture model.

We are delighted to share the successful PhD defense of David Piñol, who presented his thesis, “Modeling Severe Tyrosine Hydroxylase Deficiency Using Patient-Derived Midbrain Organoids: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives.”

In his work, Dr. Piñol developed patient-derived midbrain organoid models to better understand the mechanisms of severe Tyrosine Hydroxylase Deficiency and explore potential therapeutic strategies. His thesis was highly praised by the examination committee for its scientific quality and clinical relevance. We warmly congratulate Dr. Piñol on this outstanding achievement and welcome him to our community of PhD graduates.

Following the completion of Valentina Baruffi’s PhD in late December, we are thrilled to congratulate Veronica Testa on her successful and inspiring defense – Elucidating the Early Molecular and Cellular Pathogenic Mechanisms Underlying PD Onset and Progression Using a Human Triple-Culture iPSC model.

With her high commendation from the defense board and unwavering dedication, we proudly welcome Dr. Testa, joining Valentina in their well deserved doctoral status. Bravissimo!