Welcome to the MG Lab

Marta earned a PhD in Biotechnology in 2007 at the Univ. of Padova (Unipd). She got passionate about fluorescence microscopy and cell signaling, in particular on organelle dynamics, by working in the lab of T. Pozzan and P. Pizzo (Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, Unpd); R.Y. Tsien (Dept of Pharmacology, Univ. of San Diego); B.Cozzi (Dept. of Exp. vet. Sciences, Unipd; E.Carafoli (VIMM, Padova); L.Scorrano (Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva and Dept of Biology, Unipd). In 2018, she started her laboratory with the support of the STARS@Unipd and CARIPARO Foundation research programs.Outside the lab, Marta enjoys spending time with her son and friends.

Tomas obtained his Master’s degree in Biochemistry from Charles University in Prague, Czechia, and later earned his PhD in the group of Prof. Jan Konvalinka at the IOCB in Prague. His doctoral research focused on targeting enzymes with specific inhibitors, and he led the iBodies project, developing polymer antibody mimetics for use in biochemical applications. In 2019, he joined Marta Giacomello’s lab at the University of Padova as a postdoctoral researcher, where he investigates the regulation of mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites. His work focuses on identifying small molecules that modulate these organelle interfaces and uncovering the proteins involved in their regulation. Outside the lab, Tomas enjoys sports and outdoor activities with his two sons — particularly football, climbing, cycling, and spending time in the mountains.

Promila earned her Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences from the University of Delhi, India, and her Master's degree in Biochemistry from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), India. In 2020, she joined CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) for her Ph.D., where she investigated the role of mitochondria in the migration & invasion of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in the rheumatoid arthritis. In 2025, Promila joined Giacomello's Lab as a Postdoctoral Researcher, where she is exploring how the lysosomal trafficking regulator protein regulates melanosome biogenesis and trafficking in melanocytes. Outside the lab, she enjoys playing sports, spending time in nature, and capturing moments through photography. A passionate traveler and food lover, she is always eager to explore new.

Cristian was born in Colombia, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Bioanalysis. He then obtained his master’s degree in Biomedical Research at the University of Valladolid, Spain. He then received his PhD in Biomolecular Medicine at the University of Verona, Italy. During his PhD, he investigated the role of mitochondria in pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs). He was also a postdoctoral fellow in the same university, but in a different group focused on studying rare neurotransmitter diseases. Currently in Giacomello’s lab, his research focuses on the effect of the mitochondrial fission factor on lipid droplet dynamics. Outside the lab, Cristian enjoys reading Italian stories and walking in the countryside.

Sadaf grew up and completed her undergraduate studies in Molecular and Cellular Biology in Iran. She later moved to Padova to continue her academic journey in a more international environment, where she pursued a master’s degree in Molecular Biology. During her studies, she was awarded an Erasmus scholarship for a semester exchange at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków. There, she became fascinated by a project on hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and decided to stay there master’s thesis. After a year, she returned to Padova, and following her graduation, she joined Professor Giacomello’s lab to work on the role of mitochondrial dynamic proteins in lipid droplet biogenesis. Outside the lab, Sadaf enjoys hiking, bouldering -her favourite metaphor for life’s challenges- and painting to stay connected to her artistic and creative side.