Scientific Ambassadors 2025/2026

Giulia is a neuroscientist captivated by the brain’s complexity, with a background in biotechnology and molecular biology. For her, every glance through a microscope is a moment of discovery: a window into the unknown. Her research combines imaging, molecular biology, and multi-modal approaches to unravel neuronal identity and synaptic specificity. Passionate about collaboration and scientific outreach, she is dedicated to making advanced imaging technologies accessible to the life sciences community.

Pablo is a molecular biologist specializing in malaria research. His focus is on understanding how the parasite is transmitted to mosquitoes. He uses genetic engineering alongside advanced microscopy to explore the complex interactions between Plasmodium and its host, developing innovative tools such as fluorescent reporter strains and targeted knockouts. His goal is to uncover the molecular processes underlying parasite development and transmission, paving the way for new strategies in malaria control.

Vanessa is passionate about blood vessels and their function, believes that seeing is believing—but only with context. With expertise in diverse imaging techniques, from live preclinical to high-resolution approaches, she advocates for multimodal imaging to reveal deeper insights from multiple perspectives. Her group is particularly interested in using live imaging to study how brain blood vessels develop and become functional during the neonatal period, aiming to uncover mechanisms that shape cerebrovascular networks and influence early brain function.

Esti is a postdoctoral researcher, expert in biomedical image analysis and working in the intersection between artificial intelligence, microscopy and biology. Her work includes the development of new deep learning methodologies as well as user-friendly and open-source AI tools for microscopy imaging. She is also highly involved in training advanced biomedical image analysis to life-scientists.

Jayson Pasaol is a PhD candidate at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, specializing in comparative oncology. His research focuses on developing innovative therapeutic strategies using targeted cancer drugs and combination drugs in canine cancer, integrating advanced molecular biology techniques such as DNA damage analysis, apoptosis assays, and next-generation sequencing. Passionate about translational medicine, Jayson is dedicated to bridging veterinary and human oncology, driving forward targeted cancer therapies with the potential to transform treatment approaches for both animals and humans.

With extensive experience in confocal, time-lapse, and super-resolution imaging, Virginia supports researchers in optimising microscopy workflows and data acquisition. Passionate about collaboration and open science, she is committed to promoting the FAIR principles, fostering knowledge-sharing, and mentoring the next generation of researchers to advance imaging technologies.

Barbara is a neuroscientist and final-year PhD student whose research focuses on establishing clinically-relevant combined therapies for spinal cord injury through omics analyses of patients’ samples and electrical stimulation assays. She has experience in confocal microscopy, live imaging through phase-contrast microscopy, and widefield microscopy of paraffin-embedded sections. As ambassador, she will promote bioimaging to scientists and the general public in an interactive and artistic manner.

Rajiven is a physician-turned-researcher who transitioned from radiology to pursue a PhD at CNIC in tissue engineering and regenerative therapies. His research focuses on mechanosensitive genes, using expansion microscopy to visualize single RNA transcripts in their native environment. With extensive experience in confocal imaging, he has recently applied expansion microscopy to engineered heart tissue. Passionate about imaging in both clinical and research settings, Rajiven leverages cutting-edge techniques to advance cardiovascular biology.

Bruno uses super-resolution microscopy, particularly MINFLUX, to study Na,K-ATPase clustering on the plasma membrane. With a strong molecular biology background, he aims to connect with early-career researchers in applied microscopy.

Lieke is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Copenhagen, where she investigates the role of cytoskeletal networks in cell migration. Her research primarily involves live-cell imaging techniques, including confocal and light-sheet microscopy, to explore how these cytoskeletal networks and the forces they exert influence the mucociliary epithelium development in vivo.

Dr. Prasanna Padmanaban investigates how blood vessels form and organize within different tissues and species using advanced imaging tools. Using laser speckle contrast, side stream dark field, confocal, and light sheet microscopy, he captures blood flow patterns and heartbeat rhythms that influences blood vessel growth and organization within chickens, zebrafish, sharks, and sea turtles embryos. He is passionate about bridging academia and industry to accelerate the vascularisation process in engineered tissues through cutting-edge bioimaging innovations.