Forlenza Group, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Current ResearchI am a molecular biologist with a strong interest in immunology and vaccines. I am currently working on the SalmoStrong project, a collaboration between Mowi and the Roslin Institute, where I investigate the immune responses associated with cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) and salmonid rickettsial septicaemia (SRS) in Atlantic salmon. My research integrates a range of omics approaches with histological and functional immunological techniques to characterise host-pathogen interactions and better understand the mechanisms underlying disease-associated mortalities. I also have a particular interest in B and T cell repertoire analysis, exploring adaptive immune diversity and clonal responses to infection and vaccination. BackgroundI have a background in molecular biology and immunology, with a particular interest in animal health and host immune responses. I completed my undergraduate at the University of Leicester with a focus on human diseases. I then jumped into the aquaculture world to pursue a PhD at the University of Aberdeen with Prof. Sam Martin where my project focused on using gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) leucocytes as a health screen for functional feeds working in collaboration with Skretting Ltd, giving me insights into how nutrition can impact innate immunity. From here I joined the Fish Immunology and Infection (IIP) team at INRAE working with Prof. Pierre Boudinot where my work shifted towards vaccine immunology. Here, I investigated nucleic acid-based vaccines and B and T cell responses in fish, with a focus on understanding how vaccine platform and design influences antibody responses and protection. Where I helped to developed the first proof of concept for mRNA vaccines in fish against Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia Virus (VHSV). During my time in France, I also worked with zebrafish immune transgenic lines using fluorescence and confocal microscopy to explore how adjuvants modulate local innate immune responses in vivo.[2016-2019] Medical Biochemistry, University of Leicester[2019-2022] PhD, University of Aberdeen, UK[2023-2026] Post-doc, INRAE / NeuroPSI, France[2026-Present] Post-doc, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, UKFavourite Aquaculture SpeciesAtlantic Salmon with zebrafish a very close second.Interests, hopes and dreamsOutside of work I’ll be found near a body of water usually rowing or ticking of munros. This article was published on 2026-05-12
