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Giuseppe Di Giovanni  Professor BSc, MSc, PhD

Dr Giuseppe Di Giovanni

(he/him)

Professor BSc, MSc, PhD

Honorary Professor

School of Biosciences

Overview

Research overview

Studies in Professor Giuseppe Di Giovanni's Laboratory include:-

  • Lateral habenula in nicotine addiction and depression.
  • Serotoninergic system in epilepsy and co-morbid cognitive impairment.
  • Cannabinoids as a potential therapeutic target for Absence Epilepsy.
  • Gender differences in long-term damaging effects of binge drinking and cannabis abuse.

Publication

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2011

2009

Articles

Book sections

Research

Neurophysiology Lab Research Group

Group Members:

1.         Dr Massimo Pierucci, Post-doc (University of Malta) (2010-) Project title: Role of the lateral habenula in nicotine addiction and depression. Electrophysiological, neurochemical and anatomical study in rats.

2.         Dr Daniel Cassar, PhD student (University of Malta) (2017-) Project title: Role of serotoninergic system in epilepsy and co-morbid cognitive impairment. Electrophysiological, neurochemical and anatomical study in rats.

3.         Dr Chris Cremona, PhD student (University of Malta) (2016-) Project title: Revealing the Role of Cannabinoids as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Absence Epilepsy.

4.         Mr Norbert Abela, MS student (University of Malta) (2016-). Project title: Gender Differences in Long-term Damaging effects of Binge Drinking and Cannabis Abuse: an Electrophysiological, Behavioural and Neuroanatomical Study in Rats.

5.         Ms Stephanie Mari Camilleri (University of Malta) (2016-) Project title: Epigenetic effects of parental (F0) adolescent binge-drinking on adult offspring (F1) anxiety and depression traits. Psychology student.

International Grants:

R&I-2013-014, entitled ‘Closed-loop Serotonin Optogenetic Stimulation with EEG recording to Suppress Epileptic Seizures: A Therapeutic Device’ €150000 PI, GDG (AAT MT and Cardiff UK external partners). 3 years (11/2014- 10/2017).

Epilepsy Research UK grant N. P1202 entitled 'Serotonergic modulation of tonic GABA A inhibition: pathophysiological and therapeutic implications for absence seizures'. 3 years, £50,000.

Physiological Society UK. International Senior Research Grant. Dopamanine Neuronal ensemble recordings in freely moving rats. £7000.

PON (programmi operativi nazionali), Italy. "Polo Cyberbrain". Consortium (NEUROMED, IEMEST, Fondazione Nerone di Roma) €5,000,000.

Collaborators:

Prof. Vincenzo Crunelli, Cardiff University.

Prof Philippe De Deurwaerdere, Université de Bordeaux, France.

Prof Mauro Pessia, University of Malta, Malta.

Prof Giacomo Rizzolatti, University of Parma, Italy.

Biography

Giuseppe Di Giovanni received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Chieti, Italy, and was a postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, USA. Previously, he was a Senior Lecturer of Human Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo, and later, an Associate Professor and then Professor at the University of Malta. Currently, he is a Professor of Human Physiology at the Medical School of the "Magna Graecia" University of Catanzaro, Italy.

His research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology of monoaminergic systems using electrophysiological and neurochemical approaches. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed papers, edited 7 books, and 8 special issues of various journals. He is the current General Secretary of IBRO and the Vice-President of the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society (MPS). He is the Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience Methods by Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and the Editor of the book series "The Receptors" by Springer, USA (http://www.springer.com/series/7668). Additionally, he serves as an associate editor for CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics by Wiley.

Honours and awards

On 28 May 2020 he was awarded the honour of Cavaliere (Knight) of the Order of the Star of Italy by the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella

Contact Details

External profiles