Meet Klisian Mecollari, a brilliant 25-year-old Master’s student in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Pavia. With a passion for genetic engineering, Klisian is fascinated by its key role in crafting personalized therapeutic solutions for patients. Winner of a Dompé Foundation scholarship in 2021, he has recently embarked on his first research adventure with an internship at the Bioinformatics, Mathematical Modeling and Synthetic Biology (BMS) laboratories at the Institute of Human Anatomy within the university. Read on our interview to learn about his journey, dream job and much more.

What are biotechnologies and what do they mean to you?

In a world where science and technology are merging to create unprecedented advances, biotechnology is emerging as a powerful ally for men in many different industries. In the clinical field, for example, they are enabling us to achieve milestones that were unthinkable until recently, such as precision medicine. I believe biotechnologies are the most powerful weapon against diseases: they enable us to explore their molecular causes and develop highly effective solutions to fight them.

You are completing your Master's degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Pavia. Which course did you love the most and why?

The course I loved the most is genetic engineering, which is a branch of biotechnology that encompasses multiple disciplines and focuses on reprogramming the genetic sequence of individual cells. Through genetic engineering, innovative therapies have been developed that utilize a patient's own cells. These cells are genetically modified and then reintegrated back into the body. Essentially, patients have the solution to their own problems within them, and this is what I find incredibly fascinating.

You are currently an intern at the Bioinformatics, Mathematical Modeling and Synthetic Biology (BMS)laboratories at the Institute of Human Anatomy at the University of Pavia. Can you share your experience with us?

This is my first foray into the research world, and it has been great!  At BMS, our goal is to modify the genetic material of specific microorganisms, enabling them to perform activities that are not naturally in their capabilities. Essentially, we are teaching them to do what we desire. Our ultimate objective is the development of a "potential probiotic," that is, a laboratory-engineered microorganism capable of fighting certain bacterial infections. This experience has revealed to me the incredible power of teamwork, as even the smallest achievements require collective effort.

What has winning a Dompé Foundation scholarship meant to you?

Winning the Dompé Foundation scholarship has been immensely significant to me. It’s the tangible result of countless days spent in the library and numerous sleepless nights devoted to studying. I am filled with joy and gratitude.

What is your dream job?

My dream job would be to work in biomedical research, focusing particularly on neurodegenerative diseases. This field is partially unexplored and, precisely for this reason, represents an exciting challenge for me.

Describe yourself with one adjective

I am stubborn, incredibly stubborn. If I have a goal in sight, nothing can stop me: neither a closed door nor a personal limitation. If I realize I am unable to do something, I roll up my hands and learn how to do it.

What would be your ideal superpower?

Being able to manipulate time: I would speed it up during difficult moments and slow it down as much as possible during enjoyable ones.