Personal Chair of Comparative Immunology Current researchI have always had an interest in the evolution of the vertebrate’s immune system and in particular in the immune system of fish. The idea that fish are the first vertebrates to have ‘invented’ an immune system almost as complex as the one of mammals, has always fascinated me. Later, having realized that mammals often represent the exception, rather than the rule when it comes to the organization of the immune system and its organs, made me specialize in ‘Comparative Immunology’.The research in my group is a balanced mixture of fundamental and applied science. On the one hand, we take a comparative approach to study various aspects of the evolution of the immune system of vertebrates (including fish), and on the other hand, we focus on the immune response of fish (cyprinids, salmonids, tilapias) to pathogens. We then apply this fundamental knowledge to the development of experimental (mucosal) vaccines, often in close collaboration with the industry.My group also work on avian and mammalian species and you can read more here Maria Forlenza - Professor of Comparative Immunology | The University of Edinburgh BackgroundI performed my MSc in molecular Immunology in Italy, where I graduated cum laude at the University of Tuscia, Viterbo with a MSc thesis on the biological activity of sea bass interleukin-1beta; in 2002 I moved to the Netherlands for my PhD at Wageningen University and Research, where i received a PhD cum laude in 2009 for my thesis on viral and parasitic infections in carp and DNA vaccine development. In the period between 2010-2011, I performed a post-doc period in Leiden in the laboratory of Annemarie Meijer where I learnt about the zebrafish model. In 2011 i returned to Wageningen with a personal Veni grant from the Dutch Science Foundation (NWO), I became Assistant Professor and was able to start my own research group in Comparative Immunology. Since then, my research expanded to also include immune responses to viral infections in chickens and pigs. In 2017 I became Associate Professor and in January 2025 I moved to the United Kingdom, to The Roslin Institute, where I became Professor of Comparative Immunology.1998 – MSc, Molecular Biology, Universitá della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy. cum laude2002 – PhD, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. cum laude2009 – Post-doc, Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands.2010 – Post-doc Leiden University, The Netherlands.2011 – Assistant Prof., Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands.2017 – Associate Prof., Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands.2025 – Professor, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK. Favourite aquaculture species Carp, zebrafish, tilapia and salmon. Although zebrafish is not a farmed species, is a perfect complementary model for mechanistic studies! Interests, hopes and dreamsI love animals and I love my dog. I always say that if I were not a scientist, I would be a carpenter! I like to work with wood, build small or large furniture and fix things as a hobby. I also like to work with clay, fused glass and with metals. Currently, my biggest hobby is American pool, but since I moved to Scotland, I embarked in the world of the wee balls of British 8-ball! I hope to grow old with my husband and stay healthy as long as possible. I dream to be able to learn to play a music instrument before I die! This article was published on 2026-05-11
