Antonella Afeltra

Antonella Afeltra was born in September 4, 1950. She received her M.D. degree "summa cum laude" in 1973 at the University of Rome "La Sapienza". Specialist in "Internal Medicine" and "Allergology and Clinical Immunology" in 1978 and 1979, respectively. In 1980 she became Senior Investigator; until 1991 she worked at the Institutes of 6th and 3rd Internal Medicine of the University “La Sapienza” of Rome. Then she was in charge of the Section "Autoimmune and Immunoproliferative Diseases diagnosis and treatment" in the “Department of Clinical Medicine”. From 1993 to 2001 she was Professor of Rheumatology at the same University. In November 2001, she moved from the University “La Sapienza” to the University “Campus Bio-Medico” of Rome where she has been Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. Since 2010 he holds the position of Full Professor in the Scientific Discipline MED 16 / Rheumatology, which was confirmed in November 2013. She is coordinator of the course "Internal Medicine and Geriatrics". Since 2001 to 2014 she has been Director of the Specialization Schools of "Internal Medicine" and "Allergology and Clinical Immunology". She is Chairman of the Department of "Internal Medicine" including the Sections of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Head of Immuno-Rheumatology Laboratory, at University "Campus Bio-Medico" of Rome. Her scientific areas of interest include: pathogenic mechanisms of systemic autoimmune diseases; role of different antiphospholipid antibodies in organ damage of connective tissue diseases; thrombosis risk factors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus; phenotypic and functional characterization of lymphocyte subsets involved in the regulation of immune rensponse; production and characterization of antilactoferrin monoclonal antibodies; diagnosis of autoimmune diseases; immunomodulating and immunosuppressive therapy. She is coauthor of 293 scientific publications including 153 full papers (95 on international journals and 58 on national journals), 103 participations in national and international Congresses and 37 book chapters. Over the years 1982-1997 she collaborated on research projects about "Immunosuppressive treatments of connective tissue diseases and vasculitides" funded by University "La Sapienza" and National Council of Research (CNR); during the years 1994-1997 she participated in National Interest Research Project “Immunoregulation” funded by MURST. She was scientific coordinator of University Research Project “Role of different antiphospholipids antibodies in valvular heart diseases and related embolic complications”. From 1996 to 2001 she was member of the Faculty Committee for scientific research at University "La Sapienza" of Rome. She is manuscript reviewer of the following Journals: "Lancet", "Journal of Rheumatology", "Diabetes Metabolism Research and Review" and "Journal of Cytokine and Interferon Research". She is member of the following scientific societies: "Italian Society of Internal Medicine“, "College of Internal Medicine Professors”, “Italian Society of Immunology”, “Italian Society of Rheumatology”, “Hospital Rheumatologist College”, “FIRMA (Forum Interdisciplinare Ricerca Malattie Autoimmuni)group”, “Italian group of Cytometry”.