Name: Barbara Stecca Position: Group Leader at the Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), Florence, Italy. Education/training: Doctor of Science, University of Bologna, Italy; PhD in Molecular Oncology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy; Post-doctoral training in Neuroscience (Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA), in Oncology/Developmental biology (New York University, New York, USA and University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland). Personal Statement: My current research interests focus on the mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. Particularly, with both basic and translational approaches, the work of my group has contributed to elucidate the role of Hedgehog-GLI signaling in the biology of cancer cells and their associated tumor microenvironment. I have a broad background in biology, with specific training in molecular oncology, signal transduction, developmental biology, and neuroscience. I am PI or co-PI in several grants and have numerous collaborations with other researchers around the world.