Management
VisMederi Foundation
Executive Board
Simone Paletti, President
He studied Business Administration at the Faculty of Economics “Richard M. Goodwin” in Siena, earning his Bachelor’s Degree with a thesis on International Accounting, research theme on methodological aspects and problems of the adoption of IAS / IFRS Accounting Standards for SMEs. While studying Management and Governance at the Department of Business and Legal Studies at the University of Siena, he gained experience on the field in a Business Consultant Studio. He obtained his Master’s Degree with a graduation thesis on the business model that characterizes the start-up phase of companies in the Life Sciences cluster. He has been working in VisMederi since March 2014, dealing with Corporate Finance and Management Control. From January 2015 to June 2016, he became a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Since April 2016, he is the Head of the Corporate Finance Area of VisMederi.
Veronica Cannucci, General Director
CELTA-certified (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), she has developed strong skills in teaching English as a foreign language. She is currently pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena, enriching her academic path with an Erasmus+ experience in Spain. During her studies, she participated in training courses, including scientific writing, and completed a curricular internship in the life sciences field. In her professional career, she has worked as an Executive Programs Associate at the Institute of Global Health, University of Siena. In 2022, she worked at ETHS, part of the VisMederi group, and since 2023, she has been involved with the VisMederi Foundation, managing operational and administrative activities while maintaining a strong commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on scientific and linguistic topics. Since September 2023, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Vismederi Foundation.
Martina Tordini, General Secretary
She graduated in Business Economics from the University of Florence. After an initial period of experience in the administrative sector, in September 2022 she joined VisMederi as a Finance Officer.
Driven by the desire to develop her managerial skills, in September 2024, she began a master’s degree course in Management & Governance at the University of Siena. In June 2025, she furthered her education by completing a Master’s in Governance, Risk Management and Non-Financial Reporting in Sustainable Business at the 24Ore Business School.
She currently works in the Finance and Treasury department, contributing to the economic and financial management of the VisMederi Group companies.
Since December 2025, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the VisMederi Foundation.
Alessandro Manenti, President of the Scientific Committee
Alessandro Manenti graduated in Biology obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in 2009 and a Master’s Degree in Molecular Evolution in 2013 at the University of Siena. He worked for six months in a big company in the field of Life Sciences (Novartis). In November 2013, he won a competition for PhD students in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena. In the first year, he worked on a project of Influenza Viral Growth in cell culture. In the summer 2015, he spent five months at the Influenza Centre in Bergen, Norway, under the direction of Professor Rebecca Jane Cox, studying the field of validation of new serological assays for IgA and IgG detection. In 2016 he joined VisMederi as Project Leader in the Research Department coordinating a group of researchers involved in the development and standardization of new serological assays. He developed in VisMederi the ELLA test for anti-NA antibodies by means of the Triton-X treatment of wild-type influenza viruses, several assays for the detection and quantitation of anti-HA IgA antibodies in nasal and saliva samples, anti HA2-stem IgG antibodies for the assessment of Universal Influenza vaccines. During the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2020, he developed and published the first Neutralization assay by means of the authentic strain working in VisMederi BSL3 facilities. In 2021 he joined the position of Chief Development Officer in VisMederi. Dr. Alessandro Manenti is currently the responsible for the business development in VisMederi as well as is responsible of the R&D department.
Scientific and Social Committee
Alessandro Manenti, President of the Scientific Committee
Alessandro Manenti graduated in Biology obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in 2009 and a Master’s Degree in Molecular Evolution in 2013 at the University of Siena. He worked for six months in a big company in the field of Life Sciences (Novartis). In November 2013, he won a competition for PhD students in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Siena. In the first year, he worked on a project of Influenza Viral Growth in cell culture. In the summer 2015, he spent five months at the Influenza Centre in Bergen, Norway, under the direction of Professor Rebecca Jane Cox, studying the field of validation of new serological assays for IgA and IgG detection. In 2016 he joined VisMederi as Project Leader in the Research Department coordinating a group of researchers involved in the development and standardization of new serological assays. He developed in VisMederi the ELLA test for anti-NA antibodies by means of the Triton-X treatment of wild-type influenza viruses, several assays for the detection and quantitation of anti-HA IgA antibodies in nasal and saliva samples, anti HA2-stem IgG antibodies for the assessment of Universal Influenza vaccines. During the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2020, he developed and published the first Neutralization assay by means of the authentic strain working in VisMederi BSL3 facilities. In 2021 he joined the position of Chief Development Officer in VisMederi. Dr. Alessandro Manenti is currently the responsible for the business development in VisMederi as well as is responsible of the R&D department.
Carolina Bonifazi
Carolina Bonifazi earned her master’s degree in pharmacy and industrial pharmacy from the University of Siena in 2016 with full marks, following a training period at the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome (Italy).
She subsequently completed an internship in the Quality Assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and, in 2018, joined VisMederi as a laboratory technician, specializing in serological testing for influenza clinical studies (neutralization assays, ELISA assays, and Real-Time PCR).
In 2023, she obtained her PhD in collaboration with the University of Siena.
Since 2022, she has served as Project Director, working with several international sponsors and coordinating preclinical and clinical studies (phases 1–2–3) aimed at supporting the licensure of new vaccines.
Margherita Leonardi
Margherita graduated in 2013 in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena with an experimental thesis in Zoology. In 2016, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Health Biology at the same University with a thesis about the correlation between breast cancer cells and autophagic flux. In the same year, she started working at the Tuscan Tumor Institute in Siena, where she published her research project: “Activated kinase screening identifies the IKBKE oncogene as a positive regulator of autophagy”. In 2020 she obtained her PhD in Genetics, Oncology and Clinical Medicine at the University of Siena in collaboration with the Institute for Study, Prevention and Oncology Network, working on different processes leading to the development of cancer.
Valentina Cappelli
Valentina Cappelli earned her degree in Social Service Sciences from the University of Siena in 2000. Her first professional experience was in coordinating social and educational assistance services for a Siena-based cooperative that managed home care, residential, and semi-residential services for minors, people with disabilities, and the elderly. During this period, she oversaw human resources, collaborated with the technical office on service design and tender processes, and gained experience in staff training.Claudio Bandi
Veronica Cannucci
aDMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Dopo aver conseguito il diploma scientifico a Siena, frequenta la facoltà di Scienze Biologiche all’Università degli Studi di Siena. Ad Ottobre 2019, dopo aver preso parte al programma Erasmus in Spagna, inizia il tirocinio curriculare pre laurea nel campo delle scienze della vita. A settembre 2021 acquisisce l’abilitazione per l’insegnamento della lingua inglese. Nel corso dei suoi studi ha partecipato a vari corsi di formazione, tra cui quello inerente alla scrittura scientifica.
Dopo un periodo di insegnamento, da Febbraio 2022 ricopre il ruolo di Executive Programs Associate per l’Institute of Global Health dell’Università degli Studi di Siena ed è Assistente Amministrativo for ETHS.
Sara Pugliese
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Board
of Director
Giulia graduated in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation at the University for Foreigners in Siena. During her studies, she has always worked in the Administration, Tourism and Translation sectors. In 2010, she was awarded with a fellowship on the topic “Implementation of Capacity Building Processes at Navrongo Health Research Centre in Ghana” performed at the University of Siena, Department of Physiopathology, Experimental Medicine, Public Health, under the supervision of Prof. Emanuele Montomoli, mainly performing translations, supplying process management and linguistic support. She has been working for VisMederi since 2011. She firstly started as a Specialist Administrative Assistant, then, in April 2016, she was promoted to Head of Administrative and Human Resources Office. She became responsible for Administrative Process Supervision in accordance with ISO 9001:2008 standard and for the Company’s Human Resources practices management. In December 2021, Giulia joined VisMederi Holding Srl where she holds the position of Human Resources Office Manager for all the companies belonging to the corporate group. She is currently in charge of managing the processes and practices related to Human Resources, including job postings, interviewing, hiring, resignation and dismissal. She is responsible for the activation of internships and apprenticeships, administrative procedure revision, consultants and external collaborators contract management. She is the Company’s labour consultant reference person and she is in charge of the tracking and processing management concerning the monthly attendance software. She also supports the Direction in managing career advancement, compensation policies and staff development plans.