Newsletter
Can you walk us through your typical day?
My name is Maria, a biotechnologist by training, fascinated by the hidden world of human microorganisms and infectious diseases. I am currently based in Italy, where I work as a researcher at the Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging of the National Research Council (IBB-CNR) in Naples, a vibrant city bursting with history, music, and colours. The main goal of my research is to better understand the molecular mechanism of infection, using structural biology and molecular biology as tools to identify protein targets, study them, and develop molecules for therapeutic intervention.
As a Board member of the MCAA, a mother and a researcher, I can say that there is no typical day for me, but I love the variety and the challenge it brings. My workdays are shaped by deadlines and planning, but a big part of my time is spent conducting research and supporting young researchers and students, whether through mentoring, training and science communication activities within and beyond the MCAA. Outside of work, I enjoy music, baking experiments with my son, and family time to recharge and get inspired.
Maria Romano
What inspired you to get involved with the MCAA Board, and what keeps you motivated?
I became an MCAA member as soon as I started my fellowship back in 2021, joining the Board of the Italy Chapter. That experience was truly inspiring, thanks to the great collaboration with Riccardo Biondi, who at the time was the Italy Chapter Chair. During those years, I realised the value of the mutual learning that volunteering offers, and I felt ready to take a bigger step in shaping the MCAA’s impact.
As a Board member and one of the contact points for communication, I oversee communication-related initiatives, working closely with our active members in the Communication Working Group and the Editorial Board, helping to shape our key communication outlets. On a more strategic level, I act as a direct contact point with our Secretariat’s Communication Team, contributing to the development of our communication strategy. Working with an international, multidisciplinary team is a truly enriching experience that broadens my perspective and keeps me motivated to contribute more to our Association.
Are there any new directions that you are particularly excited about within the MCAA?
The MCAA has become a powerful platform for connection, advocacy, and visibility. It is my desire to reflect that energy and potential in our communications at every level. This can be boosted through collaborative efforts: the MSCA Fellow of the Month is one key example of collaboration between the MSCA, REA, and the MCAA. This initiative not only highlights the inspiring stories of MSCA fellows across Europe and beyond but also strengthens our community, making it more visible, connected, and vibrant.
We are continuously working to enhance our impact, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, the Communication Team and Board members. Exciting news is on the horizon, and I am thrilled to be part of this collaborative work at this very moment. Our Association will have a new look with a brand- new website! With its features, it will provide an enhanced experience to engage with our content and members and for us to showcase our communication outlets more efficiently. It’s wonderful to see our community growing, and it feels incredibly rewarding to contribute to shaping its future.
How has being part of the MCAA Board shaped your journey?
Being part of the MCAA Board really brought into my life the power of collaboration across disciplines and countries. Working remotely with an international team on diverse tasks has fueled my curiosity and eagerness to learn new things. From the start, I brought my own perspective as a scientist and alumna, but the personal and professional connections with members, Board colleagues, and Secretariat have made this experience really rewarding. I’m passionate about mentoring and communication, so being involved with the MCAA Academy and the Communication Team means a lot to me; it’s challenging but in a good way. Marie Curie once said: "One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done." That really resonates with me because it reminds me that challenges are part of the journey, and there’s always more to achieve. This experience has given me fresh energy and motivation, broadened my interests, and reinforced my commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where researchers can thrive and make meaningful contributions to society.
Meet our Editors - Maria Romano: Volunteering at MCAA taught me that growth comes from sharing knowledge and supporting others - September 2025
If you could swap lives with any scientist, living, dead, or fictional, for one day, who would it be and why?
If I could swap lives with any scientist, I would choose Sir Alexander Fleming. I imagine walking into St. Mary’s Hospital laboratory, surrounded by agar plates filled with bacteria and scattered notes, feeling the curiosity and focus that guided him every day. I would choose the moment he noticed a patch of mould surrounded by a clear halo where the bacteria had disappeared. That single observation led to the discovery of penicillin, which changed the course of medicine. I love how he described it: "One sometimes finds what one is not looking for. When I woke up just after dawn on September 28, 1928, I certainly didn't plan to revolutionise all medicine by discovering the world's first antibiotic, or bacteria killer. But I suppose that was exactly what I did".
Spending a day as Fleming would be like stepping into the mind of someone who saw possibility where others saw only chance. His words reflect humility, passion, and determination, and I would love to experience the curiosity and persistence that turn observation into discovery.