Dr. Laura Bongiovanni, DVM, PhD, Dipl.ECVP
Veterinary Pathologist
Main fileds of interest: Veterinary and comparative oncology, extracellular vesicles, pathology of laboratory animals, dermatopathology, pathology of wild and exotic animals, molecular biology, histopathology.
Publications: 39 papers on international journals with referees, most of them concerning oncology, dermato-histopathology and pathology of exotic animals, 4 book chapters, 10 meeting abstracts published on normal or special issues of referred journals indexed on ISI Web of Knowledge; 46 abstracts (in proceedings of Italian and international conferences with referees), oral communications, posters.
Language: Italian, English, French.
Education
2016-2020: PhD Program Veterinary Health and Experimental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. Tutor: Dr. Chiara Brachelente, University of Perugia (IT); Supervisor: Prof Alain de Bruin, Utrecht University (NL).
2007-2010: Residency Program for the European College of Veterinary Pathologists (ECVP) at the Institute of Veterinary Pathology of the University of Bern (CH), supervisors Prof Maja Suter and Dr Horst Posthaus, obtaining the ECVP qualification on February 2011.
2003-2006: Postgraduate Degree Specialization School "Animal health, breeding and zootechnical productions", Teramo University, with a thesis on "Papillomavirus and neoplastic skin diseases".
2003: Degree in Veterinary Medicine (110/110 cum laude) with experimental research thesis on "Evaluation of Apoptosis in Canine Intracutaneous Cornifying Epitheliomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas"
1998: Secondary School certificate at the State Secondary School "M. Curie" (Giulianova, Italy) with marks 60/60.
Licence to practice and professional specialities
2020: PhD in "Veterinary Health and Experimental Sciences"
2011: Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathologists
2006: Postgraduate Degree Specialization School "Animal health, breeding and zootechnical productions"
2003: Licence to practice (Italian state exam)
Professional activities
2019-present: Researcher, Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen (The Netherlands).
Jan 2017-present: Researcher in Veterinary Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Dutch Molecular Pathology Center (DMPC), Utrecht University, Utrecht (the Netherlands). Professional activity: research, DMPC service.
2005- Jan 2017: Assistant Professor/University Researcher in Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teramo University, Teramo (Italy). Professional activity: research, diagnostic service, teaching.
2004: Postgraduate fellowship, University of Teramo, research on "Evaluation of apoptosis in intracutaneous cornifying epitheliomas and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of dog. Correlation with Heat Shock Protein expression in the same tumours". Tutor Prof. Leonardo Della Salda.
2001-2002: Part-time student activity (150 hours) at the Veterinari Pathology Unit, Faculty of Veterinari Pathology, University of Teramo (Italy)
Offices Held
2014-present: member of the Oncology-Pathology Working group - Canine Melanoma Subgroup
2014-2017: Vice-president ISVD (International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology)
2016: Scientific Program Chair of the ISVD Meeting and sessions at the 8th WCVD, May 31 – June 4 2016, Bordeaux, France.
2014: Organization of the ISVD Workshop "Mystery Cases in Veterinary Dermatopathology" at the ESVP/ECVP/ESTP Annual Meeting, 27th-30th August, Berlin, Germany
2010-2014: Board member at large of the ISVD (International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology)
2013: May 29-31: Organization officies X National Meeting of the Italian Society of Veterinary Pathologists (AIPVet), Giulianova, Teramo, Italy
2005/2006: Tutor of the Postgraduate Master on "Veterinary Dermatology", University of Teramo.
2005: May 10-12 and June 9-11 2005: Organization officies of the Course "Veterinary Cytopathology", University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
Research interests
- Veterinary and comparative oncology: Canine Melanoma; Skin cancers; Role of Extracellular Vesicles in cancer; Mechanisms of cancer progression: the epithelial to mesenchymal transition; the contribution of stem cells in tumour development and progression; deregulation of cell cycle in cancer cells; Role of apoptosis and anti-apoptotic molecules in carcinogenesis.
- Veterinary and comparative dermatopathology.
- Pathology of Laboratory animals: age-related lesions; liver pathology.
- Pathology of exotic, wild and zoo animals.
Specific skills
Necropsy techniques (small, large, exotic animals); Histopathological techniques; Immunohistochemistry; Immunofluorescence; Cytologic techniques; extracellular vesicles isolation techniques; biomolecular techniques (RNA analysis); basic knowlwdge on cell culture.
Teaching experience
Undergraduate students
2012-2017: Cellular Pathophysiology, Biotechnology First Degree Course, University of Teramo (80h)
2012-2016: Dermatopathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo (8h)
2012-2015: Descriptive Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo (5h)
2005-2012: Production of monoclonal antibodies, Biotechnology First Degree Course, University of Teramo (30h)
2004-2017: Assistant in teaching of Veterinary Pathology on gross pathology and necropsy techniques; thesis assistant in a research setting; member of Veterinary Pathology exam commission, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo
Postgraduate students
2017-2018: Workshops on mouse necropsy technique, DMPC, Utrecht University, Groningen University (NL).
2007: Histopathological patterns of cutaneous vasculitis, Postgraduate Master on Veterinary Dermatology, University of Teramo (IT).
2005-2006: Skin Cytology, Postgraduate Master on Veterinary Dermatology, University of Teramo (IT).
Coordination of students in research projects
2018-2020: Daily supervisors Master student. Utrecht University (NL).
2017-2018: Daily Supervisor HP (Honours Program) student: reserach on New biomarkers in canine melanoma: role of cell cycle gene transcripts contained in blood extracellular vesicles as cancer biomarkers. Utrecht University (NL).
2011-2015: Teacher-Tutor of PhD student: PhD "Epidemiology and advanced diagnostic in comparative pathology", research thesis "Progression, invasion and metastasis in human and canine cutaneous tumours: morphological and pathogenetic study for the identification of the molecular pathways implicated as potential therapeutic targets".
Undergraduated students:
From 2017-present: supervisor of students of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Utrecht University for research theses.
From 2009 to 2017: supervisor of students of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine courses for research theses, University of Teramo (IT).
Memberships
From 2018: NLSEV (Netherlands Society of Extracellular Vesicles)
From 2014: OPWG (Oncology-Pathology Working Group)
From 2011: ECVP (European College Veterinary Pathologists)
From 2007: ISVD (International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology)
From 2004: ESVP (European Society of Veterinary Pathology)
From 2004: AIPVet (Italian Society Veterinary Pathologists)
From 2005-2015: ESVD (European Society of Veterinary Dermatology)
Awards
2015: Woman Award City of Teramo 2015 - Research (Premio Donna città di Teramo per la ricerca 2015), European women - housewives federation. Teramo, 30th May 2015.
2013: George Fleming Prize 2013 The Veterinary Journal: L Maniscalco, S Iussich, E Morello, M Martano, P Buracco, B Biolatti, F Riondato, L Della Salda, M Romanucci, D Malatesta, F Tirrito, L Bongiovanni, R De Maria. PDGFs/PDGFRs in canine osteosarcoma: new targets for innovative therapeutic strategies in comparative oncology. The Veterinary Journal. 2013 Jan;195(1):41-7.
2012: Selected as a Supporting Original Study 7th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, Vancouver, Canada, July 25 - 28, 2012:
- Bongiovanni L., D'Andrea A., Romanucci M., Malatesta D., Candolini M., Della Salda L., Mechelli L., Sforna M., Brachelente C. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition: immunohistochemical investigation of related molecules in canine cutaneous epithelial tumours..
2012: Selected as a Supporting Original Study 7th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, Vancouver, Canada, July 25 - 28, 2012:
- C. Brachelente, I. Porcellato, M. Sforna, E. Lepri, L. Mechelli, L. Bongiovanni. Contribution of stem cells to epidermal and hair follicle tumors in the dog.
2011: Best poster Award "R. PREZIOSI" 2011 at the 8th National Meeting of the Italian Society of Veterinary Pathology (AIPVet) 2011, Padova (Italy), 15-17 Giugno 2011:
- Bongiovanni L, Romanucci Mariarita, Liberatori Silvia, Oevermann Anna, Della salda Leonardo. Beta-catenin and Survivin expression in canine peripheral nerve sheath tumours.
2008: Selected as a Supporting Original Study, 6th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, Hong Kong, 19-22 November 2008:
- Bongiovanni L., Colombi I., Fortunato C., Della Salda L. Survivin expression in normal canine epidermis and in human and canine cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.
Funded Research Projects
2017-2018: Co-applicant: "Application of the 3D cell culture techniques to the study of canine melanoma as a comparative model for human melanoma” Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia (Perugia, Italy).
2010- 2017: Perticipation in the project RECAL “RECupero e Analisi post-mortem di esemplari di Lontra (Lutra lutra)” (Recovery and post-mortem analysis of otters (Lutra lutra), together with Lutria, Wildlife research and consulting, National Parc of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni, Servizio Sanità Animale (ASL).
2014: Principal investigator, together with Prof Monika Welle (University of Bern): "Identification of stem cell markers in canine hair follicle tumours". Swiss National Science Foundation - International Short Visit Program -University of Bern, Institute of Veterinary Pathology (Bern, Switzerland). "
2013-2014: As one of the principal investigators: "Analysis of the molecular pathways involved in metastatization of canine melanoma and its applicability in the study of human melanoma". Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia (Perugia, Italy).
2009: Co-applicant: "Evaluation of the expression of the Hsp72 and some stress indicators in captive marine mammals serum". University of Teramo Scientific Project 2009.
2008: Co-applicant: "Evaluation of the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and correlation with Hsp-clinet proteins as molecular target in canine osteosarcoma therapy". National Program of Scientific Research PRIN.
2006: Co-applicant: "Study of the oncogenetic mechanisms of papillomavirus in cutaneous and ocular neoplasms of goat" as part of the National Project: "Viral Oncogenesis in small and large ruminants: role of papillomavirus and considerations on food safety". National Program of Scientific Research PRIN.
2006: Co-applicant: "Evaluation and identification of marker of tumour progression in mammary carcinoma of dog". University of Teramo Scientific Project 2006.
2005: Co-applicant: Study of female gamete nuclear functions of prepubertal lamb. University of Teramo Scientific Project 2005.
Advanced Courses attended
2017: Pathology of Laboratory animals in Biomedical Research. Module 1: Pathology of the Mouse and Rat. Fondazione G. Bernardini. 1-3 May 2017, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden (the Netherlands).
2009: AFIP descriptive course, Barcelona (Spain) May 18-22 2009
2008: ECVP/ESVP Summer School in Veterinary Pathology, Jaca (Spain) July 13-25 2008
2007: ECVP/ESVP Summer School in Veterinary Pathology, Helsinki (Finland) July 23-August 2 2007
2007: ESVD-ECVD Workshop on Skin Oncology, Bern (Switzerland) July 5-7 2007
2006: ESVD-ECVD Workshop on Dermatology and Endocrinology, Spa (Belgium) June 8-10 2006
2005: "Veterinary Cytopathology" University of Teramo, Teramo (Italy) May 10-12 and June 9-11 2005
2003: Postgraduate Professional Training Course "Operators in the investigation of domestic and wild animals predation cases", Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise "G. Caporale", Teramo. September-November 2003
International Meeting attended
2019: Third annual meeting of the Netherlands Society for Extracellular Vesicles (NLSEV), November 8th 2019, Utrecht, De Zalen van Zeven, NL.
2019: JOINT CONGRESS OF VETERINARY PATHOLOGY AND VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY on 25-28 September 2019 at Burgers’ Zoo Arnhem, the Netherlands.
2018: Second annual meeting of the Netherlands Society for Extracellular Vesicles (NLSEV), Nov 9th 2018, Amsterdam UMC, NL.
2018: BSAVA Congress, 5-8 April, Birmingam, UK. Invited speaker, oral presentations.
2016: WCVD, Bordeaux (FR), 31 May- 4 June, 2016. Oral presentation. ISVD Annual Meeting.
2014: II Joint European Congress of the ESVP, ECVP, ESTP- Berlin, 27th - 30th August 2014.
Invited Speaker; oral presentation; organizer of the session "Mystery cases in Veterinary Dermatopathology".
2013: ISVD Annual Meeting at the 31st ESVP/ECVP Annual Meeting, September 4-7 2013, London (UK). Oral presentation
2012: 7th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, Vancouver (Canada) July 24-28, 2012. Oral presentation of a Supporting Original Study and chairperson
2011: 29th Meeting of the European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP), Uppsala (Sweden). September 7-10 2011. Oral presentation
2010: ISVD Annual Meeting, Pre-Congress Day Session at the American Veterinary Dermatology Forum, Portland (Oregon, USA). April 14 2010.
2010: 24th Meeting of European Society of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD) and European College of Veterinary Dermatologists (ECVD), Firenze (Italy). September 23-25 2010.
2009: 27th Meeting of the European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP), Krakow (Poland). September 9-13 2009. Poster presentation.
2008: Precongress Day International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology (ISVD), Hong Kong November 19 2008.
2008: 6th World Congress of Veterinary Dermatology, Hong Kong November 19-22 2008. Oral presentation of a Supporting Original Study and chairperson
2007: 25th Meeting of the European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP), Munich (Germany) August 29- September 1 2007. Oral presentation
2006: 21st Meeting European Society of Veterinary Dermatology (ESVD), Lisbon (Portugal) September 7-9 2006. Poster presentation
2006: Precongress Day International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology (ISVD), Lisbon (Portugal) September 6 2006.
2005: 23rd Meeting of the European Society of Veterinary Pathology (ESVP), Naples (Italy), September 7-10 2005. Oral presentation
Invited speaker
JOINT CONGRESS OF VETERINARY PATHOLOGY AND VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY 2019: Liquid biopsies; The Potential Role of EVs as Biomarkers in Veterinary Medicine. 25-28 September 2019, Burgers’ Zoo Arnhem, the Netherlands.
BSAVA Congress 2018: Controversies in the histopathological diagnosis of skin disease (together with Dr Tim Nuttall), What your pathologist is trying to tell you and questions you should ask them, How to do a post mortem examination in general practice and get diagnostic results, 5-8 April 2018, Birmingam, UK.
Research Seminar, Canine Melanoma as a model for the study of human melanoma. University of Perugia, 18th June 2015, Perugia (Italy)
Comparative Pathology Joint Seminar University of Bern (Switzerland), 20-01-2015, together with Dr Yara Banz (Pathology Unit, University of Bern): Naturally occurring melanoma in dogs as a model for human melanoma.
II Joint European Congress of the ESVP, ECVP, ESTP- Berlin, 27th - 30th August 2014: The International Society of Veterinary Dermatopathology: objective, goals and future prospects.
Invited reviewer for the scientific journals
Journal Current Medicinal Chemistry; Research in Veterinary Science; Molecular Medicine; British Journal of Dermatology; Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment; Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine; British Journal of Cancer; Veterinary and Comparative Oncology; Journal of Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports; Disease Markers; Veterinary Pathology; Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation; International Journal of Molecular Sciences; JAVMA; Veterinarski arhiv.
Executive member of Editorial Board
Journal of Coastal Life Medicine
Invited reviewer for Scientific Project Proposals
2012-2015: ISVD (Interanational Society Veterinary Dermatopathology)
2015: ISF (Israel Science Foundation)
2013: SIDEV(Italian Society of Veterinary Dermatology)