CIGNARELLA ANDREA

Dr. Andrea Cignarella obtained his master degree in Medicinal Chemistry and Technology from the University of Milan in 1990 studying the role of the urokinase system in tumor cell invasion. He then joined the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at the University of Milan, where he received his PhD in Pharmacology of natural compounds in 1994. Dr. Cignarella went on to train as a Postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Professor G. Assmann at the University of Münster, Germany until 1998. He next returned to the Department of Pharmacological Sciences as a research associate and was appointed as an Assistant professor of Pharmacology at the University of Padova in 2004, where he joined the Department of Pharmacology and Anesthesiology. In 2010 he was appointed Associate professor at the same institution. In 2010 he spent 6 months at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle as a Fulbright Research Scholar.

HONORS, AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2009 Research Scholarship, Fulbright Commission
2005 Young Investigator Award, 2nd International Symposium on Triglycerides and HDL – role in cardiovascular disease and the metabolic syndrome; New York (USA)
2003 Educational Grant from the Japan Atherosclerosis Society
2002 Servier Young Investigator Award from the Italian Pharmacological Society
1999 Daria Haust Award from the International Atherosclerosis Society
1998 Young Investigator Award from the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis

RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Dr Cignarella’s main research areas focus on the molecular pharmacology of macrophage lipid trafficking and anti-inflammatory activity of intracellular receptor ligands in vascular cells. He has been working for more than 15 years in the field of cardiovascular pharmacology, with special emphasis on thrombosis, lipid trafficking and modulation of inflammatory responses in the vascular wall. Recently, he reported that the anti-inflammatory action of estrogen in vascular smooth muscle cells is blunted in vessels from diabetic rats. This effect is associated with a relative increase in the levels of the isoform ERβ. His current research focuses on pharmacological targeting of human macrophage polarized activation. He has carried out several projects in collaboration with research groups based in Italy and abroad.

RESEARCH GRANTS
– Role of arachidonic acid metabolism during calcific degeneration of aortic valve. CPDA130733. University of Padova, 2014-16 (PI Pauletto); co-investigator
– Pharmacological control of peripheral blood monocyte inflammatory potential and cardiovascular protection: focus on gender differences. CPDA108340. University of Padova, 2011-13; Principal investigator.
– Adenosine-mediated pathways as pharmacological targets to tackle diabetic vascular dysfunction: in vitro and in vivo studies. CPDA071492. University of Padova, 2008-10 (PI Gaion); co-investigator
– Pharmacological control of inflammation-activated transcription factors to prevent or delay the onset of diabetic vascular dysfunction. CPDA047224. University of Padova, 2005-07; Principal investigator.
– University of Padova, ex-60% 2004-2014; Principal investigator.
– Pharmacological control of ABCA1 expression and function: therapeutic strategy for protection of the arterial wall. RBAU019AL3. Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, Funding for Fundamental Research (FIRB) 2002-05; National Coordinator and Principal Investigator.
– A new molecular target for the prevention of cardiovascular disease: ABCA1. Fondazione CARIPLO 2001-04; Principal investigator.
– Role of estrogen receptors in the vascular wall. University of Milan, Funding for Young Investigators, 2000-02; Principal investigator.
– Macrophage function and stability of the atherosclerotic plaque (QLG2-CT-1999-01007) funded from the EU 5th Framework Program. 2000-03. PI: Cullen (Münster, Germany). Research unit member

PUBLICATIONS AND EDITORIAL ACTIVITY
Dr Cignarella is author of 78 original and review articles, 3 book chapters and 3 congress proceedings that have been cited 2023 times as of January 2021. He organized and chaired a symposium at the Experimental Biology meeting (Washington DC) 2011. He has been member of the local organizing committee for the XV International symposium on Drugs affecting lipid metabolism (Venice 2004) and acted as abstract grader for the XVI symposium of the same series (New York 2007). He collaborated with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for revision of the International Position Paper on Women's Health and Menopause - A Comprehensive Approach issued by the US National Institutes of Health in 2002. He has served as reviewer for over 60 international peer-reviewed journals. He is member of the Editorial Board of Atherosclerosis, PLOS One, Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Italian Journal of Gender Medicine.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– Lectures, seminars and courses in Pharmacology and related subjects (Doping agents, Pharmacovigilance, Pharmacognosy) for undergraduate, master and PhD students: School of Pharmacy, University of Milan (1998-2004; 2008-2010), School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine, University of Padova (2004-now)
– Faculty Member, PhD school in Pharmacological sciences, University of Padova (2005-now)
– Board Member: PhD in Physiopathology of Menopause, University of Milan (2004), PhD in Pharmacological and Toxicological Sciences, University of Milan (2011, 2014), PhD in Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Parma (2013)
– Tutoring and supervision of undergraduate, master and PhD students during thesis internship (since 1993)

AFFILIATION TO SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES
American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, European Atherosclerosis Society, Italian Pharmacological Society.