Franca Ronchese

Italian immunologist

Franca Ronchese at the Royal Society Wellington, 2023

Franca Ronchese is an Italian immunologist renowned for her contributions to the field of immunology, particularly in the study of dendritic cells and their role in allergic reactions. She is a principal investigator at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in Wellington, New Zealand.

Early life and education

Franca Ronchese was born in Italy. She pursued her undergraduate studies in biological sciences at the University of Padua, where she developed an interest in the immune system. She later completed her PhD in immunology at the same institution, focusing on the mechanisms of immune response.

Career

After completing her PhD, Ronchese moved to the United States to conduct postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During her time at the NIH, she worked under the mentorship of leading immunologists, where she honed her expertise in dendritic cell biology.

In the early 1990s, Ronchese relocated to New Zealand to join the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. At the Malaghan Institute, she established a research group dedicated to understanding the role of dendritic cells in allergic diseases. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of how these cells contribute to the development and regulation of allergic responses.

Research

Ronchese's research focuses on the biology of dendritic cells, which are crucial for initiating and regulating immune responses. Her studies have explored how these cells process and present antigens to T cells, influencing the immune system's ability to distinguish between harmful and harmless substances.

One of her notable contributions is the identification of specific dendritic cell subsets involved in allergic reactions. Her work has implications for developing new therapeutic strategies to treat allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Awards and recognition

Franca Ronchese has received numerous accolades for her contributions to immunology. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and has been recognized for her leadership in scientific research and her role in mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Personal life

Ronchese is known for her dedication to science and education. Outside of her research, she is actively involved in initiatives to promote science education and public understanding of immunology.

Related pages

• Immunology
• Dendritic cell
• Allergy
• Malaghan Institute of Medical Research