Apr. 18 – Giulia Brigante, a young researcher at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, recently received the Endocrinology Prize of the Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes – UEMS – within the Expertise Exchange in Endocrinology program. The prize is a €15,000 grant made available to young doctors, working on endocrinological research, that allows them to work in another European facility for 6 months. Giulia Brigante is studying at the Doctorate School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and carries out her research within the Endocrinology Department. Thanks to the prize, she will continue her research in one of the most vanguard European laboratories for pathophysiological research on the thyroid gland: the Thyroid Lab at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam (Netherlands). “Winning the UEMS grant – says Brigante – represents an important opportunity for my professional growth, as well as a recognition of the efforts made by the entire staff in Modena. In particular, in the months that will spend at Thyroid Lab, I will study how to identify molecules carrying eprotirome and sobetirome compounds within their cells. In fact, in certain tissues these cells behave like thyroid hormones, most notably in the liver. This area of research is very fascinating and promising for the development of drugs that mimic the thyroid hormone cellular metabolism stimulating effect, but without the dangerous side effects caused by thyroid hyperactivity. After the project, I hope to return to Italy to continue my work within the Endocrinology Department in Modena, which is heavily investing resources and energy in thyroid research.”
