Morgana Letizia

In the lab: 
I primarily work on the fascinating pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is capable of causing disease in a variety of hosts, including plants, nematodes, insects, and mammals. In humans, P. aeruginosa is responsible for life-threatening acute and chronic infections, and it is particularly problematic in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The triple-combination modulator, Trikafta®, is a breakthrough treatment for people with CF; however, there is still critical work to be done to assess its effects on the colonization of various pathogens common to the CF lung environment. While P. aeruginosa burden drastically decreases following the initiation of Trikafta® therapy, relapse infections have been observed in some patients as early as one year after starting treatment. I am interested in understanding how this therapy shapes the CF lung microbial community and identifying the regulatory networks underlying P. aeruginosa adaptation to the Trikafta®-modulated environment.


About Morgana: 
I proudly call Rome, Italy, my hometown, where the past and present intertwine in a symphony of culture and charm. I began my academic journey at Roma Tre University, where I earned a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Biology with a focus on Molecular, Cellular, and Pathophysiological Research. At Roma Tre, I also completed my Ph.D. in the laboratory of Dr. Giordano Rampioni, where I investigated the sophisticated communication system of P. aeruginosa known as quorum sensing. In July 2023, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with my husband to embark on an exciting new adventure as I joined the Whiteley Lab as a postdoctoral fellow. I enjoy exploring the world and making new connections, though I sometimes miss my friends and family back home.

​Click here for a list of publications from Morgana:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=_gjuG6QAAAAJ&hl=it
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1PUi_Yowfvycn9/bibliography/public/