Violetta Borelli has been a Researcher in General Pathology at the University of Trieste since 2005. She has a degree in Biology and a PhD in Experimental Pathology from the University of Trieste. Her research interest focused on the mechanisms of physiopathology of inflammatory cells, in particular, the study of the biological mechanism of the secretory process in phagocytes and mast cells, and on the role of some of the secreted components in killing ingested microorganisms. Her work has contributed to elucidating the role of human peroxidases in host defence against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Currently, her research interest focuses on the study of genetic susceptibility to develop asbestos-related diseases, with reference to the role played by genes involved in asbestos-induced alterations of lung iron homeostasis.