Human genetics of neurological disorders
Federica Esposito

Email: esposito.federica@hsr.it
Location: DIMER, Floor 1
Group Leader, Human genetics of neurological disorders
Federica Esposito is a Neurologist in the Department of Neurology at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, with an in-depth knowledge of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and more than 10-year clinical experience in this topic. Her research activity in the genetic field started during the MD program within the Human Molecular Genetics Unit first and then in the Human Genetics of Neurological Disorders, of which she now is the head, at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele (Milan) increasing her expertise in genome wide association studies (GWAS) and computational biology. Her experiences abroad include the Department of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute – Paris, the Department of Genetics, Serono Genetics Institute – Geneva, and the Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Computational Neurology, Harvard Medical School – Boston.
Thanks to the latter experience, Federica Esposito started to work in the field of pharmacogenetics, aimed to optimize treatment choice towards a more personalized management in MS patients. This project contributed to the publication of one of the largest genome-wide pharmacogenetics studies for Interferon treatment in MS. I am currently member of the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium that provided a significant contribution to the study of the genetic component of the disease, identifying up to 200 loci associated with MS.
Clinical experience
2013-today: Certified neurologist (permanent position), Department of Neurology and MS Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (Italy)
2012-2013: Certified neurologist, Department of Neurology, CHUV Hospital, Lausanne (Switzerland)
2008-2012: Certified neurologist, Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (Italy)
2002-2007: Resident fellow, Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (Italy)
2000-2002: Internship, Department of Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (Italy)
Research experience
2017-ongoing: Head of Laboratory of Human Genetics of Neurological Disorders, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan (Italy)
2011-2017: Postdoctoral Fellow, Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders; San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan (Italy)
2012-2013: Research Fellow, Neurogenetic Unit, Department of Neurology, CHUV Hospital, Lausanne (Switzerland)
2008-2011: Ph.D. student, Laboratory of Genetics of Complex Neurological Disorders, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan (Italy).
2009-2010: Ph.D. student, Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Computational Neurology; Brigham & Women’s Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston (USA)
2006: Research fellow, Department of Genetics, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics; Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Geneva (Switzerland)
2005: Research fellow, Department of Genetics; Serono Genetics Institute, Evry (France)
2002: Trainee, Human Molecular Genetics Unit; San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan (Italy).
Best poster award at the 52° congress of Italian society of neurology, Milan (Italy): F. Esposito, M. Sorosina, S. Santoro, L. FerreĢ, et al. - “Analysis of the immune repertoire in multiple sclerosis patients experiencing relapses”.
2018: Best poster award “Brain your time” 2018, Bari (Italy): F. Esposito, F. Clarelli, L. Ferre’, G. Sferruzza, M. Radaelli, F. Sangalli, et al. - “Clinical Predictors Of Fingolimod Response Over 2-Year Follow-Up In An Italian Cohort Of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients”.
2015: Best publication award 2015 Congress of the Italian Society of Neurology, Genova (Italy): F. Esposito, M. Sorosina, L. Ottoboni, E.T. Lim, J.M. Replogle, T. Raj, et al - “Multiple sclerosis susceptibility alleles modulate gene expression levels of lymphocyte activation pathways”.
2010: 1st Prize Awarded Poster 2010 Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Gothenburg (Sweden): F. Esposito, L. Ottoboni, N. Patsopoulos, F. Martinelli-Boneschi, G. Comi, D. Hafler, P. De Jager. - “Multiple sclerosis susceptibility alleles modulate gene expression levels of lymphocyte activation pathways”.
2003: “G. Perusini Award” for the best M.D. thesis, 2003 Congress of the Italian Society of Neurology, Rome (Italy): “Neprilysin as susceptibility gene for Alzheimer disease: an allelic association study”.
2008-2011: International Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine, Experimental Neurology curriculum, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele - Milan (Italy).
Nov 2007: Neurology certification, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele - Milan (Italy).
2002-2007: Residency in Neurology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele - Milan (Italy).
2003: Board Certified Medical Licensure, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele - Milan (Italy)
Oct 2002: Medical Degree, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele - Milan (Italy).