Meet Our People

SRI's innovative thinking depends directly on the people who work here. Meet members of our team in Computing and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Materials, Drug Discovery, Drug Development and Health, Economics and Education, Environment and Energy, Business Development, and Administration and Corporate Activities, and learn why they joined SRI—you may discover that you would like to join the team, too. Visit Careers @ SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Meet Annalisa D'Andrea, Senior Director, Immunology and Inflammation, Biosciences Division

Focus @ SRI:
My group conducts both basic and applied immunology studies for our government and commercial clients. We can perform all the immunogenicity and immunotoxicology studies necessary to evaluate safety of potential new therapeutics.  We also conduct basic research directed toward the discovery of new immunological targets for both inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Day in the Life @ SRI:
My day usually starts with checking, and responding to, e-mail (this usually begins at home, actually!), communicating with clients and my staff, and then on to meetings, followed by more e-mails, data analysis, proposal writing, and trying to keep up with the latest literature. Days always seem to end too soon — and whatever I don't get done at work, I'll take home for some "light" nighttime reading!

Before SRI:
After my graduate studies, I did my postdoctoral work at the DNAX Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, where I studied mechanisms regulating NK cell activity. I then went to Chiron Vaccines (at their location in Italy), where I studied interactions between Hepatitis C virus and immune cells. Since Joining SRI In 2000, I have worked on many more different projects than I can describe — and that is why I love it here.

Academics:
B.S in Biology (with honors), University of Siena, Italy

Ph.D in Immunology, University of Florence, Italy (studies performed at Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA).

Why SRI?
I was at a stage in my career where I had to make a decision between academia and industry, and felt I would have to give up something by choosing one over the other. SRI provided me with the right setting to make me feel as there was no other choice to be made, and I found that extremely intriguing. What I have learned since joining the organization is that at SRI, one can really do anything he/she dreams of — there is always a way… and if one can't think of it, there are so many people with different backgrounds here that can help you find the way. What better reason to stay?

Inspiration and Motivation:
My drive comes from the desire to learn something everyday, to think of novel questions. And every so often, this activity happens to bring solutions to unresolved problems, and that just makes my day.

What has changed in your field since you began your career, and what new or exciting trends are you seeing?
The intense and productive research in immunology of the last decade has resulted in a greater understanding of the immune activation and regulation of the physiology of a whole organism, creating the perfect foundation for translational research. This is a really fascinating and exciting time to be a scientist.

Proudest Professional Accomplishment:
I am the most proud of having grown into a well-rounded scientist. My most exciting moment would have to be when, after months of disappointing and frustrating attempts, I was finally able to pinpoint the immune cells responsible for producing IL-12, a new cytokine at the time, discovered by Dr. Trinchieri in Philadelphia.

Languages:

Italian (first language) and French (a lot less fluent after many years of speaking English).

Away from the Office:
With three kids (all boys) in the house, there is no personal time for me! If I manage to find some, I enjoy reading and cooking. But what I really love is to travel. As a family, we have this rule to go on at least one cultural trip each year. To us it is the best hands-on experience to learn about different cultures, traditions and …food!

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
Don't be afraid of the different scientific and technical backgrounds that you encounter at SRI. Embrace the diversity and learn to think "outside the box"; you won't regret it.