ISS, June 4th 2021
Anna Teresa Palamara is the new Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità- ISS (Italian National Institute of Health). She graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. She is a full professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine of the University of Rome, "La Sapienza". Previously, she was a Professor at the University of Naples “Federico II” and the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.
She was the President of Section III – Prevention and Public Health of the Consiglio Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Council of Health) from 2013 to 2019, she was appointed President-elect of the Società Italiana di Microbiologia - SIM (Italian Society of Microbiology) from 2013 to 2019, and is currently the President of the Collegio dei microbiologi italiani (College of Italian Microbiologists).
Author of over 160 scientific publications, she has devoted much of her research to studying the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of diseases caused by viruses, with particular attention to respiratory viruses, the role of microorganisms in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases, and antibiotic resistance.
The mission of the ISS in the research and promotion of public health is in line with most of Prof. Palamara’s studies and research. "I am honoured to take on this position in such a distinguished and prestigious Institute, and to work alongside President Silvio Brusaferro at the service of public health", said Prof. Palamara. "I plan to contribute to organising the Department in such a way to enhance synergy between research and public health activities. By networking with the other prominent institutions in the country, the Department will provide updated and consolidated knowledge and skills to face the 'daily coexistence' with microorganisms and be prepared to handle any crisis such as the one we have experienced.” She added: “The requirements are all there, as shown by the quality of the services the ISS has been providing and will continue to provide to the country. Now it is just a matter of enhancing that experience, making it grow, and using it in the future."
