Elena Cattaneo

Elena Cattaneo, OMRI is an Italian professor of pharmacology and a cofounding director of the University of Milans Center for Stem Cell Research. In 2013 she was made an Italian state senator for life. Cattaneo used her position to oppose unfounded claims made by companies offering stem cell remedies.

Cattaneo was born in Milan. After graduating in pharmacy in 1986, she moved to Boston in the United States for a few years, where she specialized at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She studied neural stem cell differentiation in the area of the human brain associated with degenerative diseases under Professor Ronald McKay. Another of her mentors was Professor Anders Bjrklund of the University of Lund. Cattanaeo spent a short time with him in Sweden learning grafting techniques that could be used on stem cells. Returning to Italy she started her academic career in the University of Milan. She lived in Brugherio and worked in Milan.

Source: Wikipedia