Benedetta Fiordi

2024 winner

How the immune and nervous systems join forces to fight leukemia

Benedetta studied medical biotechnologies at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, where she got her bachelor's and master's degrees and developed a strong interest in hematological malignancies. In 2021, she joined the Lab of Prof. Jandus at the University of Geneva, first as an intern, and later as a PhD student focusing on the role of Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC) in blood cancers. Her research investigates the potential of a neuro-derived molecule, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), to reactivate dysfunctional ILCs in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). In her free time, Benedetta enjoys cooking, especially for others, and cherishes the moments spent around a table, chatting with loved ones.

Benedetta's grant is generously supported by the Fondation Zython.