Throughout my career, I've used various in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of fibrosis and inflammation in the heart, and how these mechanisms are affected in mice with different genetic backgrounds. My experience includes project management and mentoring. I completed three projects involving international collaborations, supervised two junior researchers, and taught cellular and molecular techniques to at least six professionals. As one of the launching editors and senior editor at Nature Cardiovascular Research, I oversaw the quality of the content published in the journal and the editorial process. I collaborated with authors, reviewers, and editors to ensure the highest standards of scientific rigor, relevance, and innovation. I also contributed to the journal's vision, strategy, and outreach, promoting the latest advances and discoveries in the cardiovascular and hematology fields. This experience has sharpened my analytical and communication skills and broadened my understanding of the field, covering a wide range of studies, from basic research to clinical, epidemiological, and public health research. My mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of cardiovascular medicine and to bridge the gap between research and clinical applications. Keywords: cardiovascular, #fibrosis, inflammation, cardioimmunology, RNA, single-cell biology, #transcriptomics, imaging, animal models, small animal surgery, and scientific writing.
Elvira Forte
Scientific strategist • Senior Scientist • Senior Scientific Editor
Research Expertise
About
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Education
Sapienza University of Rome
PhD, Pasteurian Sciences / January, 2011
Sapienza University of Rome
Master, Medical, Molecular and Cellular Biotechnology / October, 2006
Sapienza University of Rome
Bachelor, Biotechnology / October, 2004
Experience
Springer Nature
Associate/Senior Editor / June, 2021 — February, 2024
Helped shape and launch a new journal, Nature Cardiovascular Research, which publishes exceptional advances in the fields of cardiac, vascular, and blood biology, covering fundamental, translational, clinical, and public health research. • Assessed the novelty and impact of manuscripts within all the topics covered by the journal and chaperoned the whole revision process until acceptance for over 40% of all the content published by the journal since its start, with optimal processing times and excellent feedback from the authors. • Interfaced with scientists around the World, provided scientific guidance on how to improve manuscripts, or recommended more appropriate journals to publish with. Commissioned Comments, Reviews, News and Views on current topics, and summarized novel scientific findings in meaningful snippets and Research Highlights. • Contributed to the training and supervision of 2 Associate Editors; covered the Chief Editor's functions when needed.
Research Fellow/Associate Research Scientist / January, 2017 — June, 2021
• Analyzed the dynamic cellular changes during the fibrotic repair post-myocardial infarction, using cutting-edge techniques such as single-cell RNAseq with 10xChromium. Learned how to perform myocardial infarction in mice and assess the cardiac function via echography; analyze scRNAseq data using the Seurat package on R studio. • Completed a project aimed to characterize similarities and differences among fibroblasts from different organs cultured in the same conditions. Through cytometric, transcriptomic analysis, functional assays, shRNA and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated in vitro gene knockdowns we showed that fibroblasts isolated from different organs retain the expression of key transcription factors reflecting their embryological origin. • Collaborated with other laboratories in the Institute to design new mice models that could possibly recapitulate the symptoms of COVID-19; to analyze the response of mice with diverse genetic backgrounds to stressors.
Post-doctoral fellow/ Co-joint lecturer / May, 2013 — November, 2016
Developed projects aimed at understanding the embryological origin and function of a population of putative progenitor cells, cardiac colony forming unit fibroblasts cCFU-F, identified 2 years before in the lab (PMID: 22136928). • Performed cell lineage tracing and designed in vitro and in vivo cellular assays to assess the functional and immunomodulatory properties of PDGFRa+ fibroblasts in homeostasis and post-myocardial infarction with or without treatment with the PDGF-AB ligands. The data, presented in 3 international conferences and included in a preprint manuscript, have supported the use of a short-term treatment with PDGF-AB in a preclinical model of acute myocardial infarction in pigs. • Co-supervised 2 Ph.D. students at University of New South Wales
Scientific Editor / March, 2024 — Present
Consultant freelancer position within a team of former journal editors and grants specialists • Helped scientists increase the impact of their science by providing advice, in-depth editing, and feedback on manuscripts.
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