My academic journey at the University of Pavia has equipped me with a solid foundation in Biomedical Sciences. I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, a master’s degree in Experimental and Applied Biology (biomedical curriculum), and a PhD in Physiology.

During my MSc and PhD, I focused on the calcium signalling induced by the Vascular Endothelial Growth factor (VEGF) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Specifically, I uncovered the calcium channels and underlying signalling pathways responsible for VEGF-induced EPC proliferation and tubulogenesis, highlighting their value as a promising target for cell-based therapy. I further showed how aberrant expression of calcium channels altered the properties of EPCs from cancer patients, making them more prone to creating new blood vessels. I was then awarded a fellowship to undertake a post-doc at UMass Lowell (USA) where I focused on EPC differentiation. In 2015 I moved to the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology where I initially completed a project on the signalling pathways regulating the migration of immune cells across the blood-brain barrier. I was then awarded a short-term grant from Moorfields Eye Charity to establish a microscope platform to measure vascular permeability in the retina, followed by a research grant from Diabetes UK as a co-PI to study VEGF-induced leakage at blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers. Finally, I was promoted to Senior Research Fellow and I joined the Ruhrberg lab, to study the role of Neuropilin-1 in retinal vascular permeability. In 2022, I was awarded an 18-month Career Development Award from Moorfield Eye Charity to establish my research niche and study the role of calcium signalling in blood-retinal barrier dysfunction.

In November 2024 I was appointed Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Brighton.

My research interests lie primarily in vascular biology, specifically in the signalling pathways regulating endothelial cell functions in physiological and pathological conditions. My current projects focus on the blood-retinal barrier and the molecular mechanisms elicited by permeability and inflammatory factors that lead to endothelial dysfunction with consequent vision impairment. Among those mechanisms, I am fascinated by calcium signalling and I am currently studying the role of calcium channels in blood-retinal barrier physiology and disease.

My curriculum, research interests and outputs, and supervision records can be found on my website https://silviadragoni.wixsite.com/website.

I am interested in supervising MRes and PhD students in any topic related to vascular biology and brain/retina physiology. I offer close supervision and the opportunity to work with national and international collaborators. I provide constructive feedback and personalised mentorship, guiding students to develop research projects and share their work in academic settings. I am keen to discuss potential projects with postdoctoral researchers and assist them in applying for research fellowships to join the lab.  

I am currently the module leader for Intermediate Blood Sciences, and I teach and assist with lab activities in several modules, including Foundamentals in Blood Sciences, Intermediate Physiology and Cellular Pathology. 

As an educator, I prioritise fostering creativity and innovation to prepare students for the evolving scientific world. My teaching encourages creative problem-solving, innovative thinking, and a mindset open to curiosity and experimentation.

I utilise real-world challenges and interdisciplinary projects to foster critical and creative thinking, enabling students to explore multiple solutions. By creating a safe, supportive classroom environment, I encourage intellectual risk-taking and inquiry-based learning.