GUERRERA Maria Cristina

Maria Cristina Guerrera was born in Pavia (PV) on April 7th 1977. She is an Associate Professor in Anatomy of domestic animals (SSD/VET01, AREA 07/H1) since 2014 at the Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina.
Prof. Guerrera is an expert in fish and marine biotechnology research with a special focus on the use of zebrafish as an experimental model in biomedical research. After the degree in Veterinary Medicine (110 / 110 cum laude) at the University of Messina (2002), she obtained her PhD in “Marine Environmental Health, Food Safety, Fish Pathology and Fishing Hygienic Quality" (Cycle XIX) at the University of Messina in 2007 and the postdoc in "Morphology of Birds and Fish" (2007-2009). She is also specialized in "Biotechnology applied to mariculture” and in “Inspection of food of animal origin”. During her activities, she attended the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences of the University Hospital “G. Martino” of Messina (Italy), where she carried out the study and application of the main techniques of Molecular Biology (PCR, RT-PCR Real-Time and sequencing) and the Department of Morphology and Cellular biology, University of Oviedo Spain for implementing the skill in the use of confocal microscopy. She is a member of Zebrafish Neuromorphology Lab (ZNL). In this lab Prof. Guerrera using a combination of different techniques (immunohistochemistry, Western blot, scanning and transmission electron microscopy) carries out research using zebrafish as experimental model for human and animal disorders with special attention to sensory neuroscience, to the structural, ultrastructural and molecular analysis of alimentary tract of fish, to the effects of natural compounds on a Diet-Induced Obese Zebrafish as well as to the anti-inflammatory effect of natural extract in zebrafish gut. She's co-Author in identification of mRNA for cholecystokinin 1 (CCK1) Gene Bank (accession number) JN210578.1, cholecystokinin 2 (CCK2) Accession: JN210579.1, gastrin Accession: JN210580.1, β-actin Accession: JN210581.1 and aquaporin 1 (AQP1) Accession: JN210582.1 in Diplodus sargus.
She was the coordinator of a research project FFABR-ANVUR Funding of basic research activities Unime 2020 and she is now involved in national and international projects:
“INNOVITTICA”, research project with a high level of transferability and testing of advanced technologies to valorize fisheries waste, fish processing through sanitation and preservation of waste quality, the development and marketing of high-quality, high-value functional ingredients for use in the field of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals and aquaculture nutrition, measure 1.26 del PO FEAMP 2014/2020; Project Cod. SIPA 02/INP/20 - Cod CUP G35F20006240000 (prot. n. 12977 del 01/02/2022)
“Nutracéuticos Biotecnológicos: Aplicación en Medicina Veterinaria”. Funded by the Ubatec S.A, Buenos Aires, Argentina
ANIMALBIOMED: Training in scientific research in the Mediterranean area: experimental models ANIMALS in BIOMEDICAL research; FSE 2014/2020 P.O.R. Sicily– Asse III – Action 10.2.3"Internationalisation of education and mobility systems” Avv 2020 – G. D.D. Prot. n. 0043457 del 23.12.2020; 2014.IT.05.SFOP.014/3/10.2/OI.INDIRE/0077
BIOTECNO: Internationalization of teaching paths in Biomedicine: design of a training course in cellular and molecular biotechnology; FSE 2014/2020 P.O.R. Sicily – Asse III –Action 10.2.3 "Internationalization of education and mobility systems" Avv2020 – G.D.D.Prot. n. 0043457 del 23.12.2020; 2014.IT.05.SFOP.014/3/10.2/OI.INDIRE/0078
Prof. Guerrera is member of the Teaching Board of the Research Doctorate in "Veterinary Science” and member of the Italian Association of Veterinary Morphologists (A.M.V.) since 2009.
She is professor of Veterinary Anatomy of zootechnical interest in the Degree Course in "Science, technology and safety of animal production". since 2016, in the School of Specialization in "Food Inspection of Animal Origin" and in the course “The zebrafish animal model (Danio rerio) in scientific experimentation”, Project "Protection of animals used for scientific purposes" (PROTA2) Palermo- Dep STEBICEF University of Palermo-workshop “Histology and Anatomy of zebrafish” (prot. 0004258 del 14/05/2019)

Academic Activities and Organization
President of the triennial Degree Course in Sciences, Technologies and Safety of animal production (2022/2025)
• Chairman of the committee Orientation and Mentoring for the University of Messina since 2016
• Member of the quality assurance group Course in "Science, technology and safety of animal production" 2016-2018
• Member of the Joint Committee of Professors and Students (Commissione Paritetica) of the Department 2016-2018 (prot. n.73367del 23/11/2016) and 2019-2021 (prot. n. 71598 del 23/07/2019) 2021-2023 (prot. n. 0138666 del 10/11/2021)
She collaborates with the following institutions
• Departamento de Morfologia y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain. (Prof.Garcia-Suarez O)
• Departamento de Óptica II (Optometry y Visión), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Neuro-Computation and Neuro-Robotic Group (Prof. Sanchez-Ramos C)•
• Departamento de Morfologia y Biología Celular, Grupo SINPOS, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain; Servicio de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital de Cabueñes, Gijón, Spain (Prof. Viña E)•
• University Institute of Oncology of the Principality of Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain• Institute Asturiano of Odontology, Oviedo, Spain (J.Cobo)
• Departamento de Cirugia y Especialidades Medico-Quirùrgicos, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
• Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Palermo, section of Biology and Genetics, Italy
• Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, Section of Medical Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Messina (Prof. S. Campo)
• Interuniversity Consortium INBB (National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems), Rome. (Prof. U. Muglia)
• Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain (Prof JM Icardo)
• Department of Environmental Science, Territory, Food and Health Security (SASTAS), University of Messina, Italy. (Prof. G. Zaccone)
• Department of Drug Sciences and Health Products, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Neurolesi center IRCCS "Bonino-Pulejo" Messina (Prof. Michele Navarra)
• Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, National Research Council, Messina (Dr. V. Micale)
• Department of Experimental Veterinary Science, University of Padova (Prof. Poltronieri, Professor Radaelli)
• CISS (Experimental Centre for Fish Pathology of Sicily), University of Messina
• Bibliometric indicators (Scopus)
• Articles: 83
• h-index: 18
• Total citations: 927