The team
Katrine Gaasdal-Bech ~ PhD Student
Katrine became a PhD student on the Wellcome Trust Translational Neuroscience programme. Her research focuses on investigating astrocytes in the context of rejuvenation-by-reprogramming in collaboration with the University of Seville.
She obtained an MSc in Neuroscience from King’s College London in 2021 specialising in neural stem cell and nervous system repair.
Ilaria Rossetti ~ Postdoctoral researcher
Ilaria joined the Díaz Castro lab with an interest on using her electrophysiology and imaging expertise to investigate the role of astrocyte communication with brain endothelial cells in brain function.
She obtained her PhD from Western Sydney University where she investigated the impact of ageing and chronic neuroinflammation on the cholinergic system using electrophysiology and different imaging techniques to study the interaction between glial cells and neurons.
Out of the lab, she enjoys hiking, cycling, and exploring Edinburgh.
Chiara Colvin ~ Research assistant
Chiara rejoined academia within the Díaz Castro lab as a research assistant, with a keen interest in understanding the mechanisms of astrocyte function within the BBB during health and neurodegenerative disease.
She obtained my MRes in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde in 2021, investigating adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicle function on microglial cell signalling as a way of understanding obesity-induced neuroinflammation. From there, she joined Concept Life Sciences Ltd as a Scientist, specialising in developing primary cell- and tissue-based screening assays for client drug discovery studies.
Out of work, I enjoy being out in nature, playing tag rugby, and travelling with friends and family.