Consultant Paediatric Urologist
Program Director of the Paediatric Urology training programme EBPU board-certified
Qualifications
MD, FRCS(Eng), FEAPU, FEBPS
Languages spoken
English, Italian & Spanish
Member of
BAPU, ESPU, EUPSA, BAPES, IPEG
NHS Hospital
Evelina London Children's Hospital
Specialisation
Posterior Urethral Valves, minimally invasive / laparoscopic surgery, hypospadias, reconstructive urology, antenatal/perinatal urology
I graduated in 2003 at the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan with Distinction cum laude.
I then trained in Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology at the Università degli Studi di Milano and completed my training in 2009 with Distinction cum laude having written a thesis on Exstrophy Epispadias complex.
During the training I worked in several hospitals in Milan, as well as spending a year in Madrid, Spain, at the Hospital Universitario La Paz.
When I was in Madrid working with Prof. Jaureguizar’s team and during the last year of my surgical training in Milan with Prof. Riccipetitoni I decided to become a paediatric urologist.
I then moved to the United Kingdom and started working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.
During my 2-year Fellowship in the Urology department at GOSH I had the opportunity to to improve my knowledge and skills in paediatric Urology.
In 2013 I was appointed Locum Consultant Paediatric Urologist at St George’s Healthcare Foundation Trust and at Epsom and St Helier University Hospital.
In March 2014 I was appointed as Substantive Consultant Paediatric Urologist at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St. Thomas NHS Foundation.
During the last 5 years I have dedicated to developing various services within my Unit.
In particular:
As a consultant at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, I play an active part in the teaching of paediatric surgery and urology trainees. In addition, I supervise medical students from European Universities within the Erasmus scheme (about 5 per year).
I am permanent faculty of VIVA courses run by my department for trainees who are preparing for their exit exam in paediatric surgery and adult urology.
I am a Teacher/Consultant for Laborie courses and webinars.
In 2020 and 2021 I organised the 1st and 2nd Posterior Urethral Valves Study Days that had more than 150 registered attendees each
In June 2022 I have obtained the endorsement from the European Board of Paediatric Urology to be Program Director of a Paediatric Urology Fellowship program (Evelina London Children’s Hospital)
I have developed and I am in charge of the academic and clinical research programme of my Department and produced and presented about 100 abstracts in international conferences.
Alongside my clinical activity, since 2010 I have been working as an Honorary Research Assistant at the University College London -Institute of Child Health.
I have worked with stem cells (in particular Amniotic fluid derived stem cells) and been investigating the possibility to create engineered organs through decellularisation of natural organs.
In 2016 I have started a PhD at the University College London (under the supervision of Professor Paolo De Coppi) entitled “Development of new strategies for Bladder Tissue Engineering” that I am planning to complete in 2021.
I have obtained as co-PI grant funding from Medical Research Council (2014 and 2016) for a project entitled “Autologous cell engineered bladder augmentation” and as PI funding from the British Kidney Patients Association (BKPA) & British Renal Society (BRS) for a project entitled “Clean Intermittent Catheterisation: Exploration of factors that impact on successful CIC management for developing a new model of care to support Children and Families” and from The Urology Foundation for a project entitled “identification of urinary biomarkers associated with renal obstruction”, whose results will be presented and published in the next few months.
My career intentions are to continue with both clinical, academic and research activities. I aim to create a solid network among clinician and researchers in order to improve long-term clinical outcomes and to promote translational research in the field of paediatric urology.
Since 2021 I am part of the ESPU Research Committee and of the BAPU Research Committee
Development of new strategies for Bladder Tissue Engineering
01/02/2016
08/03/2019
01/06/2023
06/11/2009
Diploma of Specialised doctor in Paediatric Surgery obtained at Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Graduate with full marks: 70/70 cum laude
Thesis discussed
"THE EXSTROPHY-EPISPADIAS COMPLEX: CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT EVOLUTION OF SURGICAL TECHNIQUES.”
For this thesis I reviewed the characteristic of the Exstrophy-epispadias complex analysing the embryology, anatomy, physiology and the theories of the pathological evolution. I have then revisited and presented the different techniques proposed historically and the evolution until the actuals and finally I have reviewed and reported the experience of my Unit and the results of the patients treated.
25/07/2003
Laurea in medicina e chirurgia at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan, Italy
Graduate with full marks: 110/110 cum laude
Thesis discussed
"NONSYNDROMIC CRANIOSYNOSTOSIS: CHARACTERIZATION AND TREATMENT”
For this thesis I reviewed the characteristics of the non-syndromic Craniosynostosis (scaphocephaly, trigonocephaly, plagiocephaly, etc.) I have analysed the embryology, the anatomy and the pathological evolution. I have then presented the protocol adopted in our centre from the diagnosis to the post surgical follow-up. Finally I’ve reviewed and reported the experience of my Unit and the results of the patients treated.