Giordano Lippi
2025 URH Faculty Mentor Award Recipient
Please tell us a bit about your educational background and current research.
I am a molecular biologist by training and did my PhD with Pierluigi Nicotera at the MRC in Leicester UK and my postdoc with Darwin Berg at UCSD. My lab aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that build the brain, with a strong focus on non-coding RNAs.
Did you do research as an undergraduate student? How did you get started in your current field?
Yes. My degree in molecular medicine at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia required undergraduate students to spend one year in a lab. I joined the lab of Mcihele Zoli studying nicotinic receptors.
Who are some of your most memorable mentors? How did you meet them?
Michele Zoli, my first mentor, was the reason for my career choice. Darwin Berg and Nick Spitzer at UCSD were two critical mentors that helped me understand what excellence in research and mentoring looks like. I met Darwin at a conference. I wanted to join his lab so I sat next to him at lunch at convinced him to come to my poster.
Why do you enjoy being a mentor?
There is nothing more rewarding that seeing young scientist thrive and achieve their full potential.
What is the most useful piece of advice a mentor gave you?
Imagine yourself 20 years from now. You have a tuxedo on and are about to receive a prize. What did you discover? This advise form Nick Spitzer made me understand the importance of vision in research. I tell the same thing to all the postodcs that are about to enter the job market.