Dr Giuseppina Abignano

Dr Giuseppina Abignano

Profile

 I obtained my M.D. at the University of Naples (Italy) in 2006 where, in 2010, I completed the Specialist Training in Rheumatology.  From 2010 to 2013 I undertook a PhD in Immunology and for two years (2009-2011) I conducted my research within the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM), 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, UK. From January 2013 to June 2015 I was appointed as Clinical Research Fellow at the LIRMM. During the following 2 years (June 2015 – March 2017) I was appointed as Post-CCT Fellow in Rheumatology at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and, in May 2016, I was awarded the "Honorary Lecturer" title in the School of Medicine, LIRMM, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. In April 2017 I was appointed as Clinical Researcher and Honorary Consultant in Rheumatology at the Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), Potenza, Italy. Since then, I have been Visiting Research Fellow at the LIRMM, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, maintaining international research collaborations with the scleroderma and psoriatic arthritis teams.

During the Doctorate of Research and the Research fellowships at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, I acquired clinical skills and experience of working and managing research in an international academic research setting. My clinical and research activities have been focused on Connective Tissue Diseases with a major interest in Systemic Sclerosis and on Psoriatic Arthritis. My research led to the identification of a novel imaging biomarker, the Optical Coherence Tomography, in Systemic Sclerosis and Psoriatic Disease. Additionally I studied the putative application of a composite serum test in Systemic Sclerosis.

I participated in the Teaching Programme of the Medical Undergraduates of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, of Core Medical Training and of Yorkshire Educational Programme. I am Peer-Reviewer of several high impact factor journals in Rheumatology and Dermatology. I have been author/co-author of studies published on international peer-reviewed journals and of several abstracts, presented as oral communications or posters, at the most important congresses of Rheumatology. I received several national and international awards and research funding.

Awards

2018: "One of the best and most original works" Award, 5th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress, Bordeaux 15-17 February 2018;

2014: "Young Investigator Grant, FIRA Onlus" (Italian Foundation for Arthritis Research) Award;

2012: "Innovation in Rheumatology Award" British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) Annual Meeting, Glagow 1-3 May 2012;

2012: "One of the best and most original works" Award, 2nd Systemic Sclerosis World Congress, Madrid 2-4 February 2012;

2010: "Young Investigator Award", Italian Society of Rheumatology XLVII Annual Meeting 24- 27 november 2010;

2010: "Best poster award", Italian Society of Rheumatology XLVII Annual Meeting 24-27 november 2010.

 

Research interests

My current primary interests are characterization and validation of biomarkers for early diagnosis and assessment of disease activity, severity and prognosis of rheumatic diseases with a major interest in Systemic Sclerosis and Psoriatic Disease.

Main interests

Skin imaging

Validation of new imaging techniques

Serum biomarkers

Validation of new serum biomarkers

 

Qualifications

  • PhD, Clinical Immunology
  • CCT, Rheumatology
  • MD

Professional memberships

  • UK General Medical Council
  • Italian Medical Council
  • EUSTAR Young Investigators Group
  • Italian Society of Rheumatology

Research groups and institutes

  • 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine

Research outputs

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