I qualified from the University of Rome, Italy in 2001 and commenced training in cardiology shortly after. My training included fellowships in the United States (Texas Heart Institute, Houston for 6 months and the Feinberg Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago for 12 months).

I undertook a research degree in 2007 and was awarded a PhD on "The Role fo Cardiac MRI in Acute and Chronic Myocardial Ischaemia" at Imperial College London. During this 4-year period I was also a senior clinical fellow in Cardiac MRI at the Royal Brompton Hospital, the last 2 years of which I was also a locum Cardiac MRI consultant at the Heart Hospital, University College London.

In 2009 I was a finalist for the prestigious Melvin Judkings young investigator award for imaging from the American Heart Association. In the same year I was invited to become a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology, an honour offered to professionals making a difference in their field.

I was appointed as a Consultant Senior Lecturer in Cardiology in 2009 at the Bristol Heart Institute, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. Since I am the lead for Cardiac MRI of the National Institute of Health Bristol Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit.

In 2010 I was also appointed co-director of the Clinicial Research and Imaging Centre (CRIC) Bristol, University of Bristol.

When not working, I enjoy travelling the world, sailing and skiing, as well as participating in vintage car rallies.

I love gourmet dining as well as cooking.