91ÖĆƬł§

Skip to main content

Daniela Salvemini, Ph.D.

Professor
Pharmacological and Physiological Science


Education

Undergraduate

1983-1987

University of London, UK
Bachelor of Science (Pharmacology

Graduate

1987-1990
London University

St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College
Charterhouse Square, London ECIM6BQ, UK
Doctor of Philosophy (Pharmacology)
Advisor: Professor Sir John Vane

Post-doctororal

1992-1994
Department of Molecular Pharmacology
Monsanto Corporate Research, St. Louis, MO 63167
Advisor: Dr Philip Needleman

1990-1992
The William Harvey Research Institute
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College
Charterhouse Square, London ECIM6BQ, UK.
Advisor: Professor Sir John Vane

Professional experience

Academic appointments

Professor
July 1, 2012 Department of Pharmacological & Physiological Sciences
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St Louis, MO, USA.

Associate Professor
June 1 2009-July 2012 Department of Pharmacological & Physiological Sciences
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St Louis, MO, USA.

Associate Professor
Internal Medicine
2009-present Secondary appointment.
Department of Internal Medicine,
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St Louis, MO, USA.

Adjunct Associate Professor
2010-present Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Pharmacy
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Visiting Professor
2007-present Department of Preclinical & Clinical Pharmacology
University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Adjunct Professor
Molecular Pharmacology

2000-present Department of Pharmacology.
Faculty of Pharmacy of Catanzaro, Italy.

Research Professor
Internal Medicine
2005-2009 Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Medicine
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St Louis, MO, USA.

Professor
Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences
2006-2009 Department of Pharmacological & Physiological Sciences
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St Louis, MO, USA.

Adjunct Professor
1996-2006 Department of Pharmacological & Physiological Sciences
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
St Louis, MO, USA.

Non-academic appointments

Metaphore Pharmaceuticals, Inc, St. Louis. MO, USA. 1999-2005

Senior Vice President of Research (2003-2005)

Vice President of Biological and Pharmacological Research

Director of Biology (1999-2001)

G.D. Searle (now Pfizer) Discovery Research, St. Louis. MO, USA. 1994-1999

Research Scientist II and Project Leader (1997-1999)

Research Scientist I (1995-1997)

Senior Research Investigator (1994-1995)

Research Interests

Chronic pain, including pain caused by chemotherapeutics for cancer, is a devastating global health problem, a major unresolved healthcare issue, with tremendous socio-economic implications, particularly for long-term sufferers. For example, annual US expenditures related to pain (including direct medical costs and lost wages) are higher than those for cancer ($243 bn), heart diseases ($309 bn) and diabetes ($188 bn) combined (see Woodcock et al., 2007; Nightingale, 2012; Pizzo and Clark, 2012). Chronic pain is poorly managed and novel therapeutic agents are unquestionably needed. Using a multidisciplinary approach that includes genetic, molecular, bio-analytical, biochemical and pharmacological tools, my lab is interested in understanding how neuro-inflammatory processes are engaged in the periphery and CNS during the development of chronic neuropathic pain with particular focus on:

  • peroxynitrite induced nitroxidative stress
  • ceramide-to-S1P pathway
  • adenosine-to A3 adenosine receptor signaling pathway.

We are also interested in exploring the contribution of these pathways in the development of opioid-induced hyperalgesia and antinociceptive tolerance known to hamper the effective use of opioids for pain management. Our efforts in these areas have opened a new field of pain research directed toward modulating critical mediators of pain rather than masking symptoms through traditional approaches. Novel chemical entities that specifically target these pathways are also evaluated through our collaborative efforts with the ultimate goal of initiating proof of concept clinical trials. We have already seen important efficacy increases by synergizing our targeted interventions with currently used analgesics. These large increases in pain relief achievable by targeting multiple synergistic pathways provide a clear path forward for reducing dose and toxicities observed with currently used analgesic drugs.

Labs and Facilities

Current Students

Current Students

Post-doctoral fellows

  • Joshua Little (2011)
  • Timothy Doyle, Ph.D (2008)

Graduate students

  • Amanda Finley (2009)
  • Kali Janes (2009)
  • Carrie Malroy (2012)
  • Katie Stockhill (2012)

Student awards

  • Josh Little, Ph.D, post-doctoral fellow, Awarded the IASP travel grant to attend the 14th World Congress on Pain in Milan, Italy August 27-31, 2012. Tile of presentation: Supraspinal peroxynitrite modulates endocannabinergic signaling during inflammatory pain. Authors. Little, JW, Chen, Z ,Salvemini, D
  • Timothy Doyle, Ph.D, post-doctoral fellow, was recently awarded a Future Leaders in Pain Research Grant from the American Pain Society for 2012. The grant "Sphingosine receptor 1 and morphine antinociceptive tolerance" was selected for one of three 18-month grant awards for $20,000.
  • Tim Doyle, PhD, post-doctoral fellow, was awarded the American Pain Society Young Investigator Travel Award. Dr Doyle will present his poster entitled "Peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst blocks paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain: microarray analysis of spinal cord gene expression." on Friday, May 20, 2011 as part of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, May 19-21, 2011 in Austin, TX. In addition, Dr Doyle was chosen to present an oral communication on this same topic as part of a data blitz at the APS meeting.
  • Joshua Little, graduate student, chosen as the runner-up for the Langman Award for his abstract submission entitled, "Superoxide derived peroxynitrite is essential to supraspinal descending facilitation of nociception" at the Experimental Biology Conference in Washington D.C. April 8-12, 2011. The Langman Award is given annually by the American Association of Anatomists to a graduate student judged to have given the best scientific platform presentation based upon a number of criteria. The runner-up receives a plaque, travel award, and cash award.
  • Joshua Little, graduate student, was awarded the American Pain Society Young Investigator Travel Award. Josh will present his poster entitled "Supraspinal descending facilitation of central sensitization depends on peroxynitrite regulation of opioid signaling" on Friday, May 20, 2011 as part of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, May 19-21, 2011 in Austin, TX.

Publications

Bibliography (listed only from 2005-present)

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Papers

2012

Little, J.W, Chen, Z, Doyle, T., Porreca, F, Ghaffari, M, Neumann, W.L & Salvemini, D. (2012). Supraspinal peroxynitrite modulates pain signaling by suppressing the endogenous opioid pathway J. Neurosci. 8;32:10797-808.

Doyle, T., Chen, Z., Muscoli, C., Bryant, L., Cuzzocrea, S., Dagostino, C., Ryerse, J. Rausaria, S., Kamadulski, A., Neumann, W. L., & Salvemini, D. (2012) Targeting the overproduction of peroxynitrite for the prevention and reversal of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain. J. Neuroscience 2;32:6149-60.

Chen, Z., Janes, K., Chen, C., Doyle, T., Tosh, D.K., Jacobson, K.A. and Salvemini, D. (2012) Controlling murine and rat chronic pain through A3 adenosine receptor activation . FASEB. J Feb 17. [Epub ahead of print]

Janes K, Neumann WL, Salvemini D. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 May;1822(5):815-21.

Miriyala S, Spasojevic I, Tovmasyan A, Salvemini D, Vujaskovic Z, St Clair D, Batinic-Haberle I. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 May;1822(5):794-814.

2011

Rausaria S, Ghaffari MM, Kamadulski A, Rodgers K, Bryant L, Chen Z, Doyle T, Shaw MJ, Salvemini D, Neumann WL. (2011). J Med Chem. Nov 22. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 22082008

Doyle, TD, Chen, Z, Muscoli, CM Obeid, L.M, Salvemini, D. (2011) Ceramide Induced Peripheral Sensitization and Hyperalgesia is Mediated by a NF-kB and p38 Kinase Dependent Cyclooxygenase 2 /Prostaglandin E2 Pathway: Role for Sphingosine kinase and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate. FASEB J, PMID: 21551240, 25, 2782-2791.

T. Doyle, Z. Chen, L. M. Obeid, D. Salvemini. (2011). Sphingosine-1-phosphate Acting via the S1P1 Receptor is a Downstream Signaling Pathway in Ceramide-Induced Hyperalgesia. Neuro. Letts. 499, 4-8. PMID: 21605625

Samlowski WE, Kondapaneni M, Tharkar S, McGregor JR, Laubach VE, Salvemini D. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Is a Key Mediator of Interleukin-2-Induced Hypotension and Vascular Leak Syndrome. J Immunother, 2011, 34, 419-427.

Rausaria S, Kamadulski A, Rath NP, Bryant L, Chen Z, Salvemini D, Neumann WL. (2011) Manganese(III) Complexes of Bis(hydroxyphenyl)dipyrromethenes Are Potent Orally Active Peroxynitrite Scavengers. J Am Chem Soc. 133:4200-3.

Tovmasyan, A, Rajic, Z, Spasojevic, I, Reboucas, J.S, Chen, X, Salvemini, D, Sheng, H, Warner, DS, Beno, L and Batinic-Haberle, I. (2011). Methoxy-derivatization of alkyl chains increases the efficacy of cationic Mn porphyrins. Synthesis, characterization, SOD-like activity, and SOD-deficient E. coli study of meta Mn(III) N-methoxyalkylpyridylporphyrins. Dalton Transaction. 40:4111-21.

Doyle, T, Finley, A, Chen, Z and Salvemini, D. (2011). Role for Peroxynitrite in Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Induced Hyperalgesia in Rats. PAIN. 152(3):643-8.

2010

Muscoli, C., Doyle, T., Dagostino, C., Bryant, L., Chen, Z., Watkins, L. R., Ryerse, J., Bieberich, E., Neumman,W., and Salvemini, D. (2010) Counter-Regulation of Opioid Analgesia by Glial-Derived Bioactive Sphingolipids. J Neurosci 30, 15400-15408. PMCID:PMC3000610. Comment in Nat. Rev.Drug.Discov. 2011,10, 20-21.

Doyle, T, Bryant, L, Muscoli, C, Cuzzocrea, S, Esposito, E, Chen, Z and Salvemini, D. (2010). Spinal NADPH Oxidase is a Source of Superoxide in the Development of Morphine-Induced Hyperalgesia and Antinociceptive Tolerance. Neuroscience. 483, 85-89.

Chen, Z Muscoli, C Doyle, T , Bryant, L, Cuzzocrea, S, Mollace, V, Mastroianni, R, Masini, E and Salvemini, D. (2010). NMDA receptor activation and nitroxidative regulation of the glutamatergic pathway during nociceptive processing. PAIN. 149, 100-106.

Bryant, L, Doyle, T, Chen, Z, Cuzzocrea, S, Masini, E, Vinci, MC, Esposito, E, Mazzon, E, Petrusca, DN, Petrache, I and Salvemini, D. (2009). Spinal Ceramide and Neuronal Apoptosis in Morphine Antinociceptive Tolerance. Neuroscience Letters. 463, 49-55.

Rabbani, Z. N., Spasojevic, I., Vasquez-Vivar, J., Haberle, S., Salvemini, D., Dewhirst, M. W., Vujaskovic, Z., Batinic-Haberle. (2009). Antiangiogenic action of redox-modulating Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-ethylpyridinium-2-yl)porphyrin, MnTE-2-PyP5+, via suppression of oxidative stress in a mouse model of breast tumor, I., Free Radic. Biol. Med. 47: 992–1004.

Doyle, T, Bryant, L, Batinic-Haberle, I, Little, J, Cuzzocrea, S, Masini, S, Spasojevic, I, and Salvemini, D. Supraspinal Inactivation of Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase is a Source of Peroxynitrite in the Development of Morphine Antinociceptive Tolerance. 2009. Neuroscience. 164, 702-710.

Kos, I., Reboucas, J. S., DeFreitas-Silva, G., Salvemini, D., I.,Vujaskovic, Z., Dewhirst, M. W., Spasojevic, Batinic-Haberle, I.. (2009). The effect of lipophilicity of porphyrin-based antioxidants. Comparison of ortho and meta isomers of Mn(III) N-alkylpyridylporphyrins. Free Radic Biol Med. 47, 72-79.

Masini, E., Ragazzo, E, Vinci, MC, Nistri, S, Cinci, L, Mastroianni, R, Thurmond, RL, and Salvemini, D. (2009). A selective H4R antagonist prevents antigen-like reaction and airway inflammation in guinea-pigs. Inflammation. Res. 58, 9-15.

M.M. Ndengele, S. Cuzzocrea, E. Masini, M.C. Vinci, E. Esposito, C. Muscoli, D.N. Petrusca, V. Mollace, E. Mazzon, D. Li, I. Petrache, G. M Matuschak and D. Salvemini. (2009). Spinal Ceramide Modulates the Development of Morphine Antinociceptive Tolerance via Peroxynitrite Mediated Nitroxidative Stress and Neuroimmune Activation J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 329, 64-75.

Batinić-Haberle, I, Ndengele, M.M, Cuzzocrea, S., Rebouças, J.S., Spasojevi, I. and Salvemini, D. (2009). Lipophilicity is a critical parameter that dominates the efficacy of metalloporphyrins in blocking the development of morphine antinociceptive tolerance through peroxynitrite mediated pathways. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 46, 212-219.

Batinic-Haberle, I, Cuzzocrea, S, Reboucas, J.S, Ferrer-Sueta, G, Mazzon, E, Di Paola, R, Radi, R, Spasojevic, I, Benov, L and Salvemini, D. (2009). Pure MnTBAP selectively scavenges peroxynitrite over superoxide: Comparison of pure and commercial MnTBAP samples to MnTE-2-PyP in two different models of oxidative stress injuries, SOD-specific E. coli model and carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 46, 192-201.

S. Cuzzocrea, HP Deigner, T. Genovese, E. Mazzon, E. Esposito, C. Crisafulli, R. Di Paola, P. Bramanti, and D. Salvemini. (2009). Fumonisin B1 reduces the development of multiple organ failure induced by zymosan in mice. Shock. 31, 170-177.

2008

S.Cuzzocrea, H.P Deigner, T. Genovese, E. Mazzon, E. Esposito, C. Crisafulli, R. Di Paola, C. MuiĂ , P. Bramanti, G. M. Matuschak, D. Salvemini. (2008). Ceramide: A Novel Critical Role in Spinal Cord Injury. Shock. Oct 6 Epub ahead of print.

S. Cuzzocrea, HP Deigner, T. Genovese, E. Mazzon, E. Esposito, C. Crisafulli, R. Di Paola, P. Bramanti, and D. Salvemini. (2008). Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of Fumonisin B1, an inhibitor of ceramide synthase, in a rodent model of splanchnic ischemia and reperfusion injury. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 327, 45-57.

M.M. Ndengele, S.Cuzzocrea, E. Esposito, E. Mazzon, R. Di Paola, G.M. Matuschak and D. Salvemini. (2008). Cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 Contribute to Peroxynitrite-Mediated Inflammatory Pain Hypersensitivity. FASEB J. 22, 3154-3164.

Kondapaneni, M., McGregor, JR., Salvemini, D., Laubach, VE, and Samlowski, WE. (2008) Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is not required for IL-2 induced hypotension and vascular leak syndrome in mice. J. Immunotherapy. 31, 325-333.

Masini, E., Giannini, L., Nistri, S., Cinci, L., Mastroianni, R., Xu, W., Comhair, S. A., Li, D., Cuzzocrea, S., Matuschak, G. M., and Salvemini, D. (2008) Ceramide: a key signaling molecule in a Guinea pig model of allergic asthmatic response and airway inflammation. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 324, 548-557

2007

C. Muscoli, S. Cuzzocrea, M. M. Ndengele, V. Mollace, F. Porreca, F. Fabrizi, E. Esposito, E. Masini, G. M. Matuschak and D. Salvemini. (2007). Therapeutic Manipulation of Peroxynitrite Attenuates the Development of Opiate-Induced Antinociceptive Tolerance. J. Clin. Invest., 117, 3530-3539.

2006

Cuzzocrea, S., Mazzon, E, Di Paola, R., Esposito, E, Macarthur, H, Matuschak, GM, Salvemini, D. 2006. A role for nitric-mediated peroxynitrite formation in a model of endotoxin-induced shock. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 319, 73-81.

2005

Fike, CD, Aschner, JL, Zhang, Y, Salvemini, D and Kaplowitz, MR. (2005). Superoxide and chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn piglets. Chest. 128, 555S-5556S.

Masini, E., Bani, D., Vannacci, A., Pierpaoli, S., Mannaioni, P. F., Comhair, S. A., Xu, W., Muscoli, C., Erzurum, S. C., and Salvemini, D. (2005) Reduction of antigen-induced respiratory abnormalities and airway inflammation in sensitized guinea pigs by a superoxide dismutase mimetic. Free Radic Biol Med 39, 520-531.

Cuzzocrea, S., Mazzon, E., Paola, R. D., Genovese, T., Muia, C., Caputi, A. P., and Salvemini, D. (2005) Effects of combination M40403 and dexamethasone therapy on joint disease in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 52, 1929-1940.

Cuzzocrea, S., Mazzon, E., di Paola, R., Genovese, T., Muia, C., Caputi, A. P., and Salvemini, D. (2005) Synergistic interaction between methotrexate and a superoxide dismutase mimetic: pharmacologic and potential clinical significance. Arthritis Rheum 52, 3755-3760

Ndengele, M.M., Muscoli, C., Wang, Z.Q., Doyle, T.M., Matuschak, G.M. & Salvemini, D. (2005). Superoxide potentiates NF-kappaB activation and modulates endotoxin-induced cytokine production in alveolar macrophages. Shock., 23, 186-193.

Chen, Y, Hou, M., Li, Y., Traverse, J.H., Zhang, P., Salvemini, D., Fukai, T., Bache, R.J. (2005). Increased superoxide production causes coronary endothelial dysfunction and depressed oxygen consumption in the failing heart. Am. J. Physiol. Heart. Cir. Physiol. 288, H133-H144.

Peer-Reviewed and Scholarly Writings

2013

Salvemini, D, Doyle, T, Kress, M and Nicol, G. Therapeutic targeting of the ceramide to sphingosine 1-phosphate in pain. 2013. . In press.

Salvemini, D, Kim, S and Mollace, V. Nitroxidative stress and cyclooxygenases. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (in review).

2012

Janes K, Neumann WL, Salvemini D. Anti-peroxynitrite agents and pain suppression. Special issue on “Antioxidants and Disease”. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012. 1822 (5):815-21.

2011

Salvemini, D., Little, J. W., Doyle, T., and Neumann, W. L. (2011) Roles of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in pain. Free Radic Biol Med. (Jan 27, Epub ahead of print, PMID:21277369)

2010

Little JW, Doyle T, Salvemini D. (2010) Reactive nitroxidative species and nociceptive processing: determining the roles for nitric oxide, superoxide, and peroxynitrite in pain. Amino Acids. Jun 16. [Epub ahead of print]

Salvemini, D, Muscoli, C, Mollace, V. (2010). Pharmacological modulation of neuropathic pain. In Forty Years of Advances in Pharmacology; A Tribute to Gustav Born and Vincenzo Cuomo. Editors. Nistico, G, Rotirorti, D, De Sarro G and Mollace, V. Exorma Publishers. Pages 226-245.

Salvemini, D. Searching for new strategies for the pharmacological treatment of chronic pain. Mo Med. (2010). 107, 262-4.

Salvemini D & Neumann, B. (2010). Targeting peroxynitrite driven nitroxidative stress with synzymes: A novel therapeutic approach in chronic pain management, Life Sciences. 86, 604-14.

2009

Salvemini, D. (2009). Peroxynitrite and opiate antinociceptive tolerance: a painful reality. Archives Biochemistry and Biophysics.484, 238-244.

Salvemini, D & Neumann, B. (2009). Peroxynitrite: A strategic linchpin of opioid analgesic tolerance. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 30, 194-202.

Salvemini, D & Timchenko, A. (2009). Role of nitro-oxidative stress in pain. In “The Review Book on Nitric Oxide and Disease Processes” Research Signpost Publications, USA. Richardson, V and Wallace, A editors. Transworld Research Network, 157-179.

2007

Salvemini, D., and Cuzzocrea, S. (2007) Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Reciprocal Regulation of Cyclooxygenase and Nitric Oxide Synthase Enzymes. Kidney International, 71, 290-297.

2006

Salvemini, D., Doyle, TM and Cuzzocrea, S. (2006) Superoxide, Peroxynitrite and Oxidative/Nitrative Stress. Biochem Transac. 34, 965-970.

37. W. E. Samlowski, R. Petersen, J.R. McGregor, M. Kondapaneni and D. Salvemini. (2006) Evaluation of a Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic as an Adjunct to Interleukin 2 Based Cancer Therapy. In “Therapeutic Application of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)” Editors. Daniela Salvemini and Salvatore Cuzzocrea. Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, Texas, USA.

36. D. Salvemini, S. Cuzzocrea and D. P. Riley. (2006). Development of Manganese(II)-BasedSuperoxide Dismutase Mimics. In “Therapeutic Application of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)” Editors. Daniela Salvemini and Salvatore Cuzzocrea. Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, Texas, USA.

35. S. Cuzzocrea and D. Salvemini. (2006). The Role of Superoxide in Acute and Chronic Inflammation. In “Therapeutic Application of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)” Editors. Daniela Salvemini and Salvatore Cuzzocrea. Landes Bioscience, Georgetown, Texas, USA.

2005

Mollace,V., Muscoli, C., Masini, E., Cuzzocrea, S. & Salvemini, D. (2005). Modulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by nitric oxide and nitric oxide donors. Pharmacological Reviews. 57, 217-252.

Abstracts at National and International meetings not listed.

Patents not listed.

Grants

Research Support (Contracts not shown)

Ongoing

Role of peroxynitrite in morphine hyperalgesia and tolerance (PI)
R01, NIH/NIDA (2008-2013)

"Pertinent clues" as a translation for biomarkers in chronic pain research (PI)
The MayDay Fund (2012-2014)

Blocking bortezomib induced painful peripheral neuropathy with FTY720 (PI)

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Translational Research Award (October 2012-2015)

Completed (shown from 2005 only)

Targeting the relief of chronic pain with orally active peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts (PI)
Challenge 1RC1AR058231-01, NIH/NIAMSD (2009-2011)

Role of ceramide in morphine hyperalgesia and tolerance (PI)
R21, NIH/NIDA (2008-2011)

Role of peroxynitrite in the development of chemotherapy-induced pain (PI)
President’s Research Award (2010-2011)

Ceramide- novel target in the development of opiate-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance (PI)
Saint Louis University Seed Funds (2007-2008)

Ceramide- novel target in the development of opiate-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance (PI)
PI: Daniela Salvemini, PhD
Saint Louis University Seed Funds (2006-2007)

Honors and Awards

2010: Premio Internazionale Maria Luisa de' Medici Award from Italy. The annual prize is for women whose distinguished work is of international interest. The award was granted for Excellence in Research.

2002: The Oxygen Club of Greater Washington, D.C and the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, D.C Award for her research in free radical biology.

2000: Magna Graecia Prize for her contribution of the scientific advancement of research in Southern Italy.

1997: Searle Discovery Research Achievement Award for her achievements and leadership in the Superoxide Dismutase Project.

1997: Novartis Prize In Pharmacology for her research on free radicals, nitric oxide and cyclooxygenases inflammation.

1996: Searle Discovery Research Achievement Award for her achievements and leadership in Nitric Oxide Synthase and Superoxide Dismutase Projects.

1991: The University of London William Julius Mickle Fellowship, For: “An investigator under 35 years of age, who has in the opinion of the Committee, done most to advance medical art or science within the preceding five years”.

1989: The British Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis Young Investigators Award for the excellence and originality of the work presented on the interactions between nitric oxide, platelets and vascular smooth muscle cells.