I am an occupational therapist from Sanremo, a small city on the Italian Riviera. My professional journey took me first to Rome, where I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and my Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, and later to Genoa, where I am currently completing the final year of my PhD in Neuroscience.
My clinical background is mainly in neurological rehabilitation, and this experience has strongly shaped the way I approach research. I decided to pursue a PhD because I believe that research and clinical practice should constantly inform each other. Clinicians need the skills to critically appraise and apply evidence, while researchers need to stay connected to clinical practice, where real-world problems emerge and meaningful research questions begin. For me, the most valuable research is research that can ultimately make a difference in people’s everyday lives.
This philosophy is also at the heart of my doctoral research, which focuses on fatigue in Parkinson’s disease and includes a randomised controlled trial investigating a self-management intervention. Along the way, I have also developed a particular passion for research methodology, outcome measurement, systematic reviews and – perhaps unsurprisingly for someone stepping into the role of Vice President Finance – data!
My connection with COTEC has grown alongside this professional journey. I have had the privilege of representing the Italian Association of Occupational Therapy as a COTEC General Assembly Representative for four terms. Through this experience, I have come to see COTEC not simply as a network of National Associations, but as a place where connections can turn individual experiences into something stronger.
This is what I value most about COTEC: through our representatives, we can bring together the challenges, ideas and solutions emerging in different countries, learn from one another, and transform local experiences into a stronger collective European voice for Occupational Therapy.
After four terms as an Italian GA Representative, I am delighted to continue this journey from a new perspective as COTEC Vice-President Finance. I look forward to contributing my passion for Occupational Therapy, research, data and collaboration to the Executive Committee, while continuing to build the connections that make our European community stronger."