Associate Professor in Microbiology of the University of Bologna. She carries out her research in the field of human microbial ecosystems. The research interests are aimed at (i) the study of the interactions between mutualistic bacteria, pathogens and host cell epithelium, (ii) the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the health-promoting effects of probiotic bacteria. She is author of numerous publications in international scientific journals, book chapters and patents. She collaborates with several national and international research groups.