MARIA MORENA

Le lezioni di Farmacologia Generale e Farmacoterapia inizieranno il 3 marzo 2025 e si svolgeranno secondo il seguente orario:

Lunedì ore 13:00 - 16:00 Aula C1 - Edificio di Farmacologia CU024

Martedì ore 13:00 - 16:00 Aula C1 - Edificio di Farmacologia CU024

Mercoledì ore 11:00 - 13:00 Aula B - Edificio di Farmacologia CU024

Ulteriori informazioni sono disponibili al link seguente:

https://elearning.uniroma1.it/course/view.php?id=7053 

PRESENT POSITIONS AND ADDRESSES

Associate professor, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome (RM), Italy. e-mail: maria.morena@uniroma1.it

Researcher/Ricercatore in Convenzione, Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, European Center for Brain Research (CERC), Santa Lucia Foundation, IRCCS, Via del Fosso di Fiorano, 64, 00143 Rome, Italy. E-mail: m.morena@hsantalucia.it

NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC HABILITATIONS

Sep 2022–Sep 2034 Full professorship habilitation in Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale - Prima Fascia Settore Concorsuale 05/G1 Farmacologia, Farmacologia Clinica e Farmacognosia)

May 2019–May 2028 Associate professorship habilitation in Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale - Seconda Fascia Settore Concorsuale 05/G1 Farmacologia, Farmacologia Clinica e Farmacognosia)

EDUCATION & ACADEMIC TITLES

Oct 28 2010 Bachelor + Master Degree in Industrial Pharmacy – single-cycle degree; final grade: 110/110 summa cum laude. Sapienza Univ. of Rome, Italy
Dec 15 2011 Board-Certified Pharmacist Sapienza Univ. of Rome, Italy
Feb 05 2014 PhD in Toxicology; final grade: Excellent. Sapienza Univ. of Rome, Italy
Jun 2024 Expert University Lecturer for the implementation of highly innovative teaching methods - “Quality and Innovation of Academic Education – QuID”, Sapienza University of Rome

Training courses:

Feb 2011 Training course on “Micromedex database/La banca dati Micromedex” Umberto I Policlinico di Roma, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Jul 2011 Training course on Laboratory animal research Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
May 2013 Training course on Rat husbandry, handling and procedures University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
May 2014 Training course on Mouse husbandry, handling and procedures University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Dec 2014 Training course on Basic surgery for research animals, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Apr 2021 Training course on “COVID-19 risks/Formazione Rischio COVID-19”, UnitelmaSapienza, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Jan 2022 Training course on “Preclinical sperimentation and animal welfare (Sperimentazione Preclinica e Benessere Animale)”, Centro Ricerca e Servizi “Sperimentazione Preclinica e Benessere Animale” (SPBA), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Oct 2022 Training course on “National legislation and ethics, Level 1” modules 1, 2 (Legislazione nazionale ed etica, Livello 1, moduli 1 e 2, DM 5 agosto 2021). Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, online
Oct 2022 Training course on “Biology and management of laboratory animals, rodents and lagomorphs” modules 3.1, 4, 5, 6.1, 7 (Biologia e gestione degli animali da Laboratorio, moduli 3.1, 4, 5, 6.1, 7. DM 5 agosto 2021 roditori e lagomorfi). Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, online
Oct 2022 Training course on “Ethics and project design” modules 9, 10, 11 (Etica e concezione dei progetti, moduli 9, 10, 11, DM 5 agosto 2021). Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, online
Dec 2022 Training course on “Basic biology & Minimally invasive procedures without anesthesia” for rats modules 3.2, 8 (Biologia appropriata di base e adeguata; Procedure minimamente invasive senza anestesia, specie ratto, moduli 3.2, 8 DM 5 agosto 2021). Sapienza Università di Roma
Jan 2023 Training course on “Animals used for scientific purposes: Modules 3.2, 6.2 and 8 for rats; function a), c) and d) following Dlgs 26/2014, DM 05-08-2021 and DD 18-03-2022”; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lazio e Toscana “M. Aleandri” in collaboration with: Lazio Region, University of Tor Vergata (Rome), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Rome)
Nov 2023 Training course on “Animals used for scientific purposes: Modules 3.2, 6.2 and 8 for mice; function a), c) and d) following Dlgs 26/2014, DM 05-08-2021 and DD 18-03-2022”; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lazio e Toscana “M. Aleandri” in collaboration with: Lazio Region, University of Tor Vergata (Rome), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Rome)
Dec 2023 Training course on “General health and safety training at work for workers and their equivalents”; Unitelma Sapienza, Sapienza University of Rome
Sep 2022 - Jun 2024 Training course on “Quality and Innovation of Academic Education – QuID”, Sapienza University of Rome

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mar 2025 -present Associate professor, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
Jan 2021 – present Researcher/Ricercatore in Convenzione, Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, European Center for Brain Research (CERC), Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Mar 2022 -Mar 2025 Tenure-track assistant professor (Ricercatore a tempo determinato tipologia B, RTDB), Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
Dec 2021 – Mar 2022 Post-doctoral Associate/Assegnista di Ricerca, SSD BIO/14, SC 05/G1, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
Dec 2020 – Nov 2021 Seal of SAPIExcellence fellow, SSD BIO/14, SC 05/G1, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
Apr 2019 – Nov 2020 Post-doctoral Associate/Senior fellow, Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy and Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Apr 2014 – Mar 2019 Post-doctoral fellow, Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy and Psychiatry, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Mar 2014 – Apr 2014 Research Internship, Dept. of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
Feb 2014 – Mar 2014 Research Internship, Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza
Apr 2013 – Oct 2013 Research Internship, Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Oct 2012 – Nov 2012 Research Internship, Dept. of Anaesthesiology, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
Nov 2010 - Feb 2014 PhD student, Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Feb 2009 – Oct 2010 Master student, Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy

LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Jan 2020 - Nov 2020 Maternity leave

ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

2023-2025 Elected member of the Sapienza University Research Committee (Macroarea B)
Nov 2024 Admission committee member of the Specialization School in Chemical Risk Assessment and Management
Oct 2024 Visiting Professor; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Dept. of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary (AB), Canada
July 2024 PhD admission committee member. Admission exam of PhD school in Pharmacology and Toxicology (Sapienza University of Rome)
May 2024 PhD examining committee member. Final exam of PhD school in Behavioral Neuroscience, curriculum Psychobiology and Psychopharmacology
Dec 2023 Admission committee member of the Specialization School in Chemical Risk Assessment and Management
Dec 2023 External evaluator of PhD thesis in Biomedical Sciences and Technologies; Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.
Oct 2023 Admission committee member of the Specialization School in Hospital Pharmacy
Jun 2023 External PhD Evaluator PhD Program in Neuroscience 36th cycle, University of Padua
2022-present BSc and MSc graduation committee member for degrees in Pharmacy, Industrial Pharmacy and Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Neurobiology, Pharmaceutical biotechnology; Sapienza University of Rome
2022 - present Education Committee Member of the Bachelor Course in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome
Jan 2023 Examining committee member for postdoc position, Sapienza University of Rome.
2022 Final PhD examination committee member. PhD school in Pharmacology and Toxicology (Sapienza University of Rome); Alternate member
Dec 2022 External evaluator of PhD thesis in Biomedical Sciences and Technologies; Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy.
2022-present Member of the Academic Board of the PhD school in Pharmacology and Toxicology; Sapienza University of Rome.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

2024 “Training Course on Third Mission” PhD school in Pharmacology and Toxicology (Sapienza University of Rome); Lecturer
2024 Preclinical Testing and Animal Welfare, Training course (D.M 5 agosto 2021) accredited by the Italian Ministry of Health 0023375-25/07/2024- DGSAF-MDS-P for obtaining the credits required to perform functions a), b), c), d) e the roles of DV e RCW (d.lgs 26/2014); Modules 3.2, 6.2, 8 (Sapienza University of Rome); Instructor
2023 – present “Animal models for the study of cognitive functions: pharmaco-toxicological applications” (1 CFU) PhD school in Pharmacology and Toxicology (Sapienza University of Rome); Lecturer
2022-present Course of “General Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy” (12CFU) of the Bachelor Course in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome; Teacher & President of examining committee of the course (2022-2023 & 2023-2024)
2022-present Course of “Clinical Trials” (3 CFU) of the Master Course in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome; Teacher (2022-2023 & 2023-2024)
2022 “Developmental toxicology: experimental models” (1 CFU) PhD school in Pharmacology and Toxicology (Sapienza University of Rome); Lecturer
2021-2022 Course of “Pharmacovigilance and Toxicology” (9 CFU) of the Bachelor Course in Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome; Teacher & President of examining committee of the course (2021-2022)
2021 - present Course of “Pain Management: pharmacological aspects” (1CFU) of the Graduate Specialization School in Hospital Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome; Teacher & President of the examining committee (2021-2022 & 2022-2023 & 2023-2024)
2021 – present Course of “Toxicology” (2CFU) of the Graduate Specialization School in Chemical Risk Assessment and Management, Sapienza University of Rome; Teacher & President of the examining committee (2021-2022 & 2022-2023 & 2023-2024)
2021 “Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy” of the Master Course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. Lecturer (Mar 2021)
2015 “Graduate Course Neuro II: Stress and Reward”, PhD school in Neuroscience, University of Calgary. Lecturer (Mar 24, 2015)
2012-2013 “Pharmacology and Toxicology” of the Master Course in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. Teaching assistant/lecturer (Sep 2012-Feb, 2013)
2011-2012 “Toxicology” of the Master Course in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. Teaching assistant/lecturer (Sep 2011-Feb 2012)

ACADEMIC SUPERVISING AND MENTORING ACTIVITIES

BSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Review thesis in Pharmacology. Evolution of Anxiety Disorder Treatment: From Benzodiazepines to Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD); student Gaia Bernardi, degree in Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Feb 2024- Dec 2024
BSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Review thesis in Pharmacology. Evaluation of New Oral Anticoagulants for Pediatric Venous Thromboembolism; student Chiara Bassetti, degree in Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Jun 2024- Oct 2024
BSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Review thesis in Pharmacology. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Pharmacological Therapies: From Traditional Solutions to New Therapeutic Strategies; student Gianmaria Iannelli, degree in Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Jun 2024- Oct 2024
MSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Effects of stress on extinction and generalization of contextual traumatic memory: a study of c-Fos protein expression in corticolimbic circuits in rats.; student Elena Bordini, degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Mar 2023- Jul 2024
BSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Review thesis in Pharmacology. Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: novel therapeutic approaches and future perspectives; student Alberto Pomponi, degree in Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Oct 2023- Mar 2024
Tutor, PhD student in Pharmacology and Toxicology; Experimental thesis title: Mechanisms of fear memory processes and implications for trauma-related disorders; student name: Eleonora Blasi, Sapienza University of Rome, Sept 2021- May 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Stress and traumatic memory extinction: role of the amygdala-entorhinal cortex circuit in rats; student Federica Mariani, degree in Pharmaceutical chemistry and technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Oct 2022- Oct 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Comorbidities and sex differences in posttraumatic stress disorder: study of emotional and cognitive alterations in an animal model of susceptibility and resilience to develop trauma-related disorders; student Fausto Masi, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Oct 2022- Oct 2023
BSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Review thesis in Pharmacology. Natural and synthetic cannabinoids in the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: preclinical and clinical evidence; student Selene Rao, degree in Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Jan 2023- Oct 2023
BSc Thesis committee member and supervisor, Review thesis in Pharmacology. Therapeutic applications of natural and synthetic cannabinoids in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis; student Miriana Lacolla, degree in Applied pharmaceutical sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Jan 2023- Oct 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbidities: emotional and cognitive alterations and the role of the endocannabinoid system in traumatic memory extinction in animals susceptible and resilient to the development of trauma-related disorders; student Anna Virgilio, degree in Pharmaceutical chemistry and technology, Sapienza University of Rome, March 2022- March 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Title of the thesis: Evaluation of the effects of social buffering on traumatic memory extinction in a rat model of PTSD; student Stefania Soloperto, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Dec 2021- March 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Title of the thesis: Effects of stress on fear extinction and generalization in rats: focus on the role of amygdala-entorhinal cortex circuit; student Lucilla Turchetti, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Dec 2021- Jan 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Title of the thesis: Role of cortical-amygdala circuit in fear memory extinction in a PTSD-like animal model; student Elisa Averna, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Dec 2021- Jan 2023
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Title of the thesis: Sex differences and comorbidities in Post-traumatic stress disorder: evaluation of emotional alterations and hormonal stress response in rats susceptible or resilient to develop trauma-related disorders; student Alessia Milione, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Dec 2020- Lug 2022
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Title of the thesis: Post-traumatic stress disorder and comorbidities: evaluation of emotional alterations in male animal models of susceptibility and resilience to develop trauma-related disorders; student Arianna Pisaneschi, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Dec 2020- Oct 2021
MSc Thesis committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Toxicology. Title of the thesis: Effects of the psychostimulants amphetamine and MDPV on memory and ultrasonic vocalizations in adult rats; student Livia D’Alfonso, degree in Pharmacy, Sapienza University of Rome, Dec 2020- July 2021
MSc Thesis external committee member and co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Pharmacology. Title of the thesis: Endocannabinoid modulation of short-term recognition memory in rats: Influence of stress and circadian rhythm; student Alessia Santori, degree in Pharmaceutical chemistry and technology, Sapienza University of Rome, Apr 2017- Oct 2017
BSc Thesis co-supervisor, Experimental thesis in Neuroscience. Title of the thesis: Sex-Specific Effects of the Endocannabinoid System on Fear Memory Dynamics; student Andrei Nastase, University of Calgary, Sept 2017-May 2018
Co-evaluator MSDC 528 – Independent Studies in Medical Science, Bachelor of Health Science, University of Calgary – Student: Sonia Martins, Apr 2018 – Sept 2018
Supervisor of 7 undergraduate students during my Postdoc.
Training of 5 Master students during my PhD and 6 Master student during my Postdoc.

CURRENT LAB MEMBERS
• Fabrizio Parente, Postdoctoral fellow
• Federica Mariani, PhD Student
• Leonardo Barbalarga, MSc student
• Margherita De Rosa, MSc student

PAST LAB MEMBERS
• Francesca Rech, MSc student
• Denisa Husárová, Erasmus MSc student
• Elena Bordini, MSc student
• Eleni Papagianni, Postdoctoral fellow
• Anna Virgilio, Research Internship
• Eleonora Blasi, PhD student
• Lucilla Turchetti, MSc student

EDITORIAL ACTIVITY AND REVIEWER BOARD MEMBER

Editorial Board Member – Academic Editor: PLOS ONE
Editorial Board Member: Applied Sciences
Book editor: Cannabinoids Modulation of Emotion, Memory, and Motivation 2nd edition; Campolongo P., Colangeli R., Fattore L. and Morena M. (eds.). Springer-Verlag New York.

Review Editor:
• Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience – Section Behavioral Neuroscience Archive
• Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience – Section Motivation and Reward
• Frontiers in Neuroscience – Section Neuropharmacology
• Frontiers in Pharmacology – Section Neuropharmacology
• Frontiers in Pharmacology – Section Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery

OTHER SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL REFEREE ACTIVITY (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

Behavioural Pharmacology
Brain, Behavior and Immunity
Brain Research Bulletin
British Journal of Pharmacology
British Journal of Psychology
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
CNS Neuroscience & therapeutics
eLife
Endocrine
European Neuropsychopharmacology
European Journal of Neuroscience
Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
Frontiers in Pharmacology - Translational Pharmacology
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Molecular Neurobiology
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
Neurobiology of Stress
Neuropharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuroscience Letters
Neurotoxicity Research
Neurotoxicology and Teratology
Physiology & Behavior
PLoS One
Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
Psychoneuroendocrinology

GRANT AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH REFEREE ACTIVITY

• Sapienza research calls (bandi di Ateneo per la Ricerca) - Elected member of the Sapienza University Research Committee (Macroarea B) (2023-2025)
• Canadian Institutes of Health and Research (CIHR) “Doctoral Research Awards – A” National Awards – Grant Reviewer
• Research and professional activity of research-oriented institutes of the Czech Academy – Evaluator for Medical and Health Sciences panel
• De Castro National Fellowship for Neuropharmacology Research funded by “Associazione Valentina De Castro”, Fondazione Roma Sapienza – Reviewer panel member
• External Scientific Referee for the Italian National Institute of Health, committee for approval of animal use in preclinical research.

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS (PAST AND CURRENT)

European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS)
European Brain and Behaviour Society (EBBS)
Italian Society of Neuroscience (SINS)
Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF)
International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS)
Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC)
International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology (ISPNE)
Mediterranean Neuroscience Society (MNS)

PRIZES/AWARDS/FELLOWSHIPS

1. GRC Trainee Conference Support to attend the Gordon Research Conference on Cannabinoids 2019 awarded by Gordon Research Conference – Jul 21-26, 2019 (US$ 200)
2. GRS Trainee Conference Support to attend the Gordon Research Seminar on Cannabinoids 2019 awarded by Gordon Research Seminar – Jul 20-21, 2019 (US$ 375)
3. Seal of Excellence, awarded by the European Commission, as the institution managing the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020, for a research project submitted under the Horizon 2020’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions, individual fellowship 2018, Mar 19 2019.
4. 2018 Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year Award (second place) awarded by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (University of Calgary)-Jan 2019
5. ICRS Poster Presentation Award 2018 awarded by the International Cannabinoid Research Society - 28th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Leiden (The Netherlands) – Jun 30-Jul 5, 2018 (US$ 100)
6. ICRS Travel Award to support the attendance to the 28th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Leiden (The Netherlands) – Jun 30-July 5, 2018 (US$ 500)
7. Young Research Award 2017 awarded by the Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome-Mar 2018 (€ 2000)
8. FENS-IBRO/PERC Travel grant to support the attendance of the 11th FENS Forum of Neuroscience, Berlin 2018 – Mar 29 2018 (€ 750)
9. HBI Conference Travel Award awarded by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary – Nov 8, 2017 (CAN $ 500)
10. Otsuka 2017 Prize for Young Scientist awarded by the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) – Oct 27, 2017 (€ 5000)
11. GRC Trainee Conference Support to attend the Gordon Research Conference on Cannabinoids 2017 awarded by Gordon Research Conference – Aug 20-25, 2017 (US$ 500)
12. GRS Trainee Conference Support to attend the Gordon Research Seminar on Cannabinoids 2017 awarded by Gordon Research Seminar – Aug 19-20, 2017 (US$ 260)
13. Mathison Centre Trainee Travel Award to support the attendance to the 6th Conference of the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society awarded by the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada – Jul 29, 2017 (CAN$ 1,000)
14. ICRS Travel Award to support the attendance to the 27th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Montreal (Canada) – Jun 22-27, 2017 (US$ 350)
15. MNS2017 Travel Award to support the attendance to the 6th Conference of the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society in Malta – Jun 12-15, 2017 (€ 500)
16. 2016 Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year Award (second place) awarded by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (University of Calgary)-Jan 2017
17. HBI Trainee Publication Award 2016 awarded by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (University of Calgary)-Jan 2017 (CAN$ 100)
18. 2016 Dr. Hubert van Tol Travel Grant awarded by the Brain Canada Foundation – Sep 2016 (CAN$ 5,000)
19. 2016 SFN Trainee Professional Development Award awarded by the Society for Neuroscience – Aug 2016 (US$ 1,000)
20. ACNP Travel Award awarded by the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology – Jun 2016
21. ICRS Travel Award to support the attendance to the 26th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Bukovina (Poland) – Jun 27-30, 2016 (US$ 500)
22. 2015 Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year Award awarded by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (University of Calgary)-Jan 2016
23. Young Research Award 2015 awarded by the Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome-Jan 2016 (€ 2000)
24. HBI Trainee Publication Award 2015 awarded by the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (University of Calgary)-Jan 2016 (CAN$ 100)
25. “SIF-Farmindustria-2015” Prize for Young Scientist awarded by the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) – Sep 18, 2015 (€ 5,000)
26. EBBS Travel Award to attend the EBBS/EBPS meeting 2015 in Verona (Italy) awarded by the European Brain and Behaviour Society (EBBS) – May 25, 2015 (€ 500)
27. CCIC Trainee Conference Support to attend the Gordon Conference on Cannabinoids 2015 awarded by the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC) – May 11, 2015 (CAN$ 1500)
28. Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Talk Prize, Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain - Feb 19-21, 2015, Fernie (BC), Canada
29. Mathison Centre Travel Award to support the attendance to the Gordon Conference on Cannabinoids 2015 awarded by the Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada – Dec 15, 2014 (CAN$ 1,000)
30. ICRS Travel Award to support the attendance to the 24th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Baveno (Italy) – Jun 28 - Jul 3, 2014 (US$ 500)
31. Research fellowship awarded by University of Romatre, Rome, Italy-Apr 2014 (€ 3,000)
32. Eyes High Post-doctoral grant - University of Calgary, Canada – Apr 2014-Mar 2016 (CAN$ 100,000)
33. SIF Oral communication prize awarded by the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF), 36° Congresso nazionale della società italiana di farmacologia “Il ruolo della ricerca farmacologica per la crescita e la salute in Italia” - Oct 23-26, 2013, Turin, Italy (€ 500)
34. SIF Research fellowship for PhD students to conduct research for a 6-month period at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada (Supervisor Dr. Matthew N. Hill) awarded by the Italian Society of Pharmacology (Società Italiana di Farmacologia, SIF)-Apr 2013-Oct 2013 (€ 6,000)
35. ICRS Travel Award to support the attendance to the 23rd Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society in Vancouver – Jun 21-26, 2013 (US$ 550)
36. DAAD Research fellowship for PhD students to conduct research at a German higher education institution (Supervisor Prof. Gustav Schelling) awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, DAAD)-Oct 2012 (€ 1,000)
37. Travel Award to support the attendance at the Conference “Frontiers in Stress and Cognition: From Molecules to Behavior” – Sep 23-26, 2012, Ascona, Switzerland (€ 300)
38. Individual three-year fellowship in Pharmacology and Toxicology released by “Sapienza” University of Rome – Nov 2010- Oct 2013 (€ 40,900)

RESEARCH FUNDING

1. “Sapienza-Rome Technopole for research internationalisation - Line 2: creation of Proof of Concepts”– NextGenerationEU – 2024-2025 (€ 90,000) - PI
2. PNRR 2023 MCnT2 - PNRR-MCNT2-2023-12377558 – NextGenerationEU – 2024-2026 (€ 272,025) – PI of Research Unit
3. ERA-NET NEURON 2023 “Resilience and vulnerability in mental health” - NEURON_RV-085/KetoResi – ERANET Neuron – Notification of results Nov 2023 (€ 300,000) – PI Italy
4. PRIN 2022 PNRR - P20223A9J3 – NextGenerationEU, European Union - Dec 2023 – Dec 2025 (€ 230,995) – PI and National Coordinator
5. Progetti di Ricerca Ateneo Medi - RM122181672B97D4 - Sapienza University of Rome, Italy – Dec 2022-Dec 2024 (€ 10,000) - PI
6. PNRR 2022 MCnT - PNRR-MAD-2022-12376156 – NextGenerationEU - 2023-2025 (€ 999,347) – Co-PI
7. Ricerca Giovani Ricercatori - GR-2019-12369216 – Italian Ministry of Health - 2021-2024 (€ 449,980); First-ranked in National score - PI and National Coordinator
8. Progetti di Ricerca Ateneo Medi – RM12117A61F63BB9 - Sapienza University of Rome, Italy – 2021-2023 (€ 10,000) (PI: Giuseppe Esposito) – I
9. Seal of SAPIExcellence grant - Sapienza University of Rome, Italy – Dec 2020-Nov 2021 (€ 50,000) - PI
10. Canadian Institutes of Health and Research (CIHR) Postdoctoral national competitive grant – Canadian Institutes of Health and Research - Apr 2016-Feb 2019 (CAN$ 131,250) - PI
11. Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) Postdoctoral provincial competitive grant – Alberta Innovates, Canada - Apr 2016-Mar 2019 (CAN$ 165,000) - PI
12. “Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research & Education” Postdoctoral competitive grant, declined - University of Calgary, Canada –Apr 2016 (CAN$ 110,000) - PI
13. “Cumming School of Medicine Postdoctoral Scholarship” Postdoctoral competitive grant, declined - University of Calgary, Canada – Apr 2016 (CAN$ 37,500) - PI

ORGANIZATION OF MEETINGS/SYMPOSIA

1. SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE MEMBER – Monothematic conference- Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) “Innovation in mental illness: from mechanisms to drug treatment and patient response” – October 23-24, 2023, Brescia, Italy
2. SYMPOSIUM CHAIR – Oral communication, Monothematic conference- Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) “Innovation in mental illness: from mechanisms to drug treatment and patient response” – October 23-24, 2023, Brescia, Italy
3. SCIENTIFIC EVALUATOR COMMITTEE MEMBER – Monothematic conference- Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) “Innovation in mental illness: from mechanisms to drug treatment and patient response” – October 23-24, 2023, Brescia, Italy
4. SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZER AND CHAIR - 9th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference – Oct 14 - 18, 2023, Carthage, Tunisia. Symposium title: “The role of the amygdala in modulating negatively and positively valenced states”
5. SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZER AND CHAIR - 8th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference – May 29 - Jun 02, 2022, Dubrovnik, Croatia. Symposium title: “New insights on endocannabinoid regulation of fear memory dynamics: from bench to bedside”
6. UNDER 40 SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZER AND CHAIR - 19th Congress of the Italian Society for Neuroscience – Sept 9-11, 2021, virtual congress. Symposium title: “Exploring the behavioral signature of abnormal brain endocannabinoid signaling”
7. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ORGANIZER and CHAIR - Gordon Research Seminar Amygdala Function in Emotion, Cognition & Disease: “Sex Differences, Physiological Mechanisms and Pathological Conditions of the Amygdala” – Aug 3 - 4, 2019, Easton, Massachusetts, USA
8. SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZER - 7th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference – Jun 23-27, 2019, Marrakech, Morocco. Symposium title: “New perspectives on fear memory-related neuronal networks: Integrating electrophysiological, molecular and behavioral approaches”
9. SCIENTIFIC EVALUATOR COMMITTEE MEMBER - Hotchkiss Brain Institute Summer Student Symposium – Aug 15 2017, Calgary (AB), Canada.
10. SYMPOSIUM CHAIR - 27th Annual ICRS Symposium on the Cannabinoids – Jun 22-27, 2017, Montreal (QB), Canada. Symposium title: “Anxiety, Fear and PTSD”
11. PROGRAMME COMMITTEE MEMBER - 27th Annual ICRS Symposium on the Cannabinoids – Jun 22-27, 2017, Montreal (QB), Canada.
12. SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZER AND CHAIR - 6th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference – Jun 12-15, 2017, Malta. Symposium title: “Neurological mechanisms of the impact of stress on memory and emotionality in health and disease: Insights from animal and clinical studies”
13. SYMPOSIUM CHAIR - Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain – Feb 18-20, 2016, Fernie (BC), Canada. Symposium title: “EEG”
14. SYMPOSIUM CHAIR - Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain – Feb 18-20, 2016, Fernie (BC), Canada. Symposium title: “Facilitating recovery”
15. SCIENTIFIC EVALUATOR COMMITTEE MEMBER - 24th Annual ICRS Symposium on the Cannabinoids – Jun 28 - July 3, 2014, Baveno, Italy.
16. SCIENTIFIC SECRETARIAT - “The Emotional Brain: From neurobiology to new therapeutic opportunities –Sep 5-6, 2011, Rome, Italy.

PUBLICATIONS (PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS)

1. Blasi E., Di Cesare B., Pisaneschi A., Campolongo P., Morena M. Social buffering during fear extinction rescues long-term trauma-induced memory and emotional behavioral alterations in rats. Transl Psychiatry 2025, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-025-03285-8 (IF2023: 5.800)
2. Chiacchierini G., Mancini G.F., Di Cesare B., Romanelli L., Morena M., Campolongo P. A behavioral screening method for predicting PTSD-like phenotypes: Novel application to female rats. J Neurosci Meth 2025, 416:110380 (IF2023: 2.700)
3. Riccardi E., Mancini G.F., Pisaneschi A., Morena M., Campolongo P. Sex differences in fear expression and persistence in an animal model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Neuroscience 2024; 560:371-80 (IF2023: 2.900)
4. Aukema R., Petrie G., Matarasso A., Baglot S., Molina L., Füzesi T., Kadhim S., Nastase A., Rodriguez-Reyes I., Bains J.S., Morena M., Bruchas M, Hill M. Identification of a stress-responsive subregion of the basolateral amygdala in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:1989-99 (IF2023: 6.600)
5. Paribello P., Branchi I., Viglione A., Mancini G.F., Morena M., Campolongo P., Manchia M. Biomarkers of stress resilience: A review. Neuroscience Applied 2024; 3:104052.
6. Huckleberry K.A., Calitri R., Li A.J., Mejdell M., Singh A., Bhutani V., Laine M.A., Nastase A.S., Morena M., Hill M.N., and Shansky R.M. CB1R blockade unmasks TRPV1-mediated contextual fear generalization in female, but not male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1500–8 (IF2023: 6.600)
7. Colangeli R., Morena M., Werner A, Thompson R.J., van der Stelt M., Pittman Q.J., Hill M.N., Teskey G.C. 2-AG-mediated control of GABAergic signaling is impaired in a model of epilepsy. J Neurosci 2023; 43:571-83. (IF2023: 4.400)
8. Marchetta E., Mancini G.F., Morena M.*, Campolongo P.* Enhancing Psychological Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment with Memory Influencing Drugs. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:687–707 *Corresponding authors. (IF2023: 4.800)
9. Schiavi S., Manduca A., Carbone E., Buzzelli V., Rava A., Feo A., Ascone F., Morena M., Campolongo P., Hill M.N., and Trezza V. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol differentially modulate autistic-like traits in a genetic model of autism based on FMR1 deletion in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:897-907 (IF2023: 6.600)
10. Vecchiarelli H.A.*, Morena M.*, Lee T.T.Y.*, Nastase A.S., Aukema R.J., Leitl K.D., Gray J.M., Petrie G.N., Tellez-Monnery K.J., Hill M.N. Sex and Stressor modality influence acute stress-induced dynamic changes in corticolimbic endocannabinoid levels in adult sprague dawley rats. Neurobiol Stress 2022; 20:100470. *co-first authorship. (IF2023: 4.300; IF2022: 5.000)
11. Morena M., Santori A., Campolongo P. Circadian regulation of memory under stress: Endocannabinoids matter. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 138:104712. (IF2023: 7.500; IF2022: 8.200)
12. Riccardi E., Blasi E., Zwergel C., Mai A., Morena M.*, Campolongo P.* Sex-dependent effects of the drugs of abuse amphetamine and the smart drug 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone on fear memory generalization in rats. Neurosci 2022; 497:107-17; *co-last authorship. (IF2023: 2.900; IF2022: 3.300)
13. Vecchiarelli H.A., Aukema R., Hume C., Chiang V., Morena M., Keenan C.M., Nastase A., Lee F.S, Pittman G.J., Sharkey K.A. & Hill M.N. Genetic Variants of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Modulate Acute Inflammatory Responses to Colitis in Adult Male Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:764706. (IF2023: 4.200; IF2021: 6.147)
14. Farrell J.S., Colangeli R., Dong A., George A.G., Addo-Osafo K., Kingsley P.J., Morena M., Wolff M.D., Dudok B., He K., Patrick T.A., Sharkey K.A., Patel S., Marnett L.J., Hill M.N., Li Y., Teskey G.C., Soltesz I. In vivo endocannabinoid dynamics at the timescale of physiological and pathological neural activity. Neuron 2021; 109:2398-403. Article selected for cover page. (IF2023: 14.700; IF2021: 18.688)
15. Morena M.*, Nastase` A.S., Santori A., Shansky R., Hill M.N. Sex-dependent effects of endocannabinoid modulation of conditioned fear extinction in rats. British Journal of Pharmacology 2021; 178:983-96. (IF2023: 6.800; IF2021: 9.473). *Corresponding author.
16. Morena M., Colucci P., Mancini G.F., De Castro V., Peloso A., Schelling G., Campolongo P. Ketamine anesthesia enhances fear memory consolidation via noradrenergic activation in the basolateral amygdala. Neurobiology of Learn and Memory 2021; 178: 107362. (IF2023: 2.200; IF2021: 3.109)
17. Mancini G.F., Marchetta E., Riccardi E., Trezza V., Morena M., Campolongo P. Sex-divergent long-lasting effects of single prolonged stress in adult rats. Behav Brain Res 2021, 401:113096. (IF2023: 2.600; IF2021: 3.352)
18. Vecchiarelli H.A., Morena M., Keenan C.M., Chiang V., Tan K., Qiao M., Leitl K., Santori A., Pittman Q.J., Sharkey K.A., Hill M.N. Comorbid Anxiety-Like Behavior in a Rat Model of Colitis is Mediated by an Upregulation of Corticolimbic Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021, 46:992-1003. (IF2023:6.600; IF2021: 8.294)
19. Santori A., Morena M., Hill M.N., Campolongo P. Hippocampal 2-arachidonoyl glycerol signaling regulates time-of-day- and stress-dependent effects on rat short-term memory. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:7316. (IF2023: 4.900; IF2020: 5.923)
20. Colangeli R., Morena M., Pittman Q.J., Hill M.N., Teskey G.C. Anandamide signalling augmentation rescues amygdala synaptic function and comorbid emotional alterations in a model of epilepsy. J Neurosci 2020; 40:6068-6081. (IF2023: 4.400; IF2020: 6.167)
21. Yasmin F., Colangeli R., Morena M., Filipski S., van der Stelt M., Pittman Q.J., Hillard C.J., Teskey G.C., McEwen B.S., Hill M.N, Chattarji S. Stress-induced modulation of endocannabinoid signalling leads to delayed strengthening of synaptic connectivity in the amygdala. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:650-655. (IF2023: 9.400; IF2020: 11.205)
22. Mayo L.M., Asratian A., Lindé J., Morena M., Haataja R., Hammer V., Augier G., Hill M.N., Heilig M. Elevated anandamide, enhanced recall of fear extinction, and attenuated stress responses following inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH): a randomized, controlled experimental medicine trial. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 87:538-547. (IF2023: 9.600; IF2020: 13.382)
23. Santori A., Colucci P., Mancini G.F., Morena M., Trezza V., Palmery M., Puglisi-Allegra S., Hill M.N., Campolongo P. Anandamide modulation of circadian- and stress-dependent effects on rat short-term memory. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:155-162. (IF2023: 3.400; IF2019: 4.732)
24. Habib A.M., Okorokov A.L., Hill M.N., Bras J.T., Lee M., Li S., Gossage S.J., van Drimmelen M., Morena M., Houlden H., Ramirez J.D., Bennett D.L.H., Srivastava D., Cox J.J. Microdeletion in a FAAH pseudogene identified in a patient with high anandamide concentrations and pain insensitivity. Br J Anaesth 2019; 123:e249-e253. (IF2023: 9.100; IF2019: 6.880)
25. Morena M. and Hill M.N. Buzzkill: the consequences of depleting anandamide in the hippocampus. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019, 44:1347-1348. (IF2023: 6.600; IF2019: 6.751)
26. Morena M.*, Aukema R.J., Leitl K.D., Rashid A.J., Vecchiarelli H.A., Josselyn S.A., Hill M.N. Upregulation of anandamide hydrolysis in the basolateral complex of amygdala reduces fear memory expression and indices of stress and anxiety. J Neurosci 2019; 39:1275–1292. (IF2023: 4.400; IF2019: 5.673) *Corresponding author.
27. Sticht MA., Lau DJ., Keenan CM., Cavin JB., Morena M., Vemuri VK., Makriyannis A., Cravatt BF., Sharkey KA., Hill MN. Endocannabinoid regulation of homeostatic feeding and stress-induced alterations in food intake in male rats. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:1524-1540. (IF2023: 6.800; IF2019: 7.730)
28. Ratano P., Petrella C., Forti F., Petrocchi Passera P., Morena M., Palmery M., Trezza V., Severini C., Campolongo P. Pharmacological inhibition of 2-arachidonoilglycerol hydrolysis enhances memory consolidation in rats through CB2 receptor activation and mTOR signaling modulation. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:210-218. (IF2023: 4.600; IF2018: 4.367)
29. Berger A.L., Henricks A.M., Lugo J.M., Wright H.R., Warrick C.R., Sticht M.A., Morena M., Bonilla I., Laredo S.A., Craft R.M., Parsons L.H., Grandes P.R., Hillard C.J., Hill M.N., McLaughlin R.J. The lateral habenula directs coping styles under conditions of stress via recruitment of the endocannabinoid system. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:611-623. (IF2023: 9.600; IF2018: 11.501)
30. Atsak P., Morena M., Schoenmaker C., Tabak E., Oomen C., Jamil S., Hill M.N., Roozendaal B. Glucocorticoid-endocannabinoid uncoupling mediates fear suppression deficits after early – life stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 91:41-49. (IF2023: 3.400; IF2018: 4.013)
31. Morena M., Berardi A., Colucci P., Palmery M., Trezza V., Hill M.N., Campolongo P. Enhancing endocannabinoid neurotransmission augments the efficacy of extinction training and ameliorates traumatic stress-induced behavioral alterations in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:1284-96. (IF2023: 6.600; IF2018: 7.160)
32. Morena M.*, Berardi A., Peloso A., Valeri D., Palmery M., Trezza V., Schelling G., Campolongo P. Effects of ketamine, dexmedetomidine and propofol anesthesia on emotional memory consolidation in rats: Consequences for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder. Behav Brain Res 2017; 329:215-220. (IF2023: 2.600; IF2017: 3.173) *Corresponding author.
33. Silveira M.M., Adams W.K., Morena M., Hill M.N., Winstanley C.A. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol decreases willingness to exert cognitive effort in male rats. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2017; 42:131-138. (IF2023: 4.100; IF2017: 4.770)
34. Morena M., Leitl K. D., Vecchiarelli H. A., Gray J. M., Campolongo P., Hill M. N. Emotional arousal state influences the ability of amygdalar endocannabinoid signaling to modulate anxiety. Neuropharmacology 2016; 111:59-69. (IF2023: 4.600; IF2016: 5.012)
35. Xia S., Zhou Z., Leung C., Zhu Y., Pan X., Qi J., Morena M., Hill M. N., Xie W., Jia Z. p21-activated kinase 1 restricts tonic endocannabinoid signaling in the hippocampus. eLife 2016; pii:e14653. (IF2023: 6.400; IF2016: 7.725)
36. Morena M., Patel S., Bains J. S., Hill M. N. Neurobiological interactions between stress and the endocannabinoid system. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:80-102. (IF2023: 6.600; IF2016: 6.403)
37. Vecchiarelli H. A., Gandhi C. P., Gray J. M., Morena M., Hassan K., Hill M. N. Divergent responses of inflammatory mediators within the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex to acute psychological stress. Brain Behavior and Immunity, 2016; 51:70-91. (IF2023: 8.800; IF2016: 5.964)
38. Morena M.*, De Castro V., Gray M.J., Palmery M., Trezza V., Roozendaal B., Hill M.N. and Campolongo P. Training associated-emotional arousal shapes endocannabinoid modulation of spatial memory retrieval in rats. J Neurosci 2015; 35:13962-74. (IF2023: 4.400; IF2015: 5.924) *Corresponding author.
39. Qi M., Morena M., Vecchiarelli H. A., Hill M. N., Schriemer D. C. A robust capillary liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for quantitation of neuromodulatory endocannabinoids Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2015; 29:1889-97. (IF2023: 1.800; IF2015: 2.226)
40. Manduca A., Morena M., Campolongo P., Servadio M., Palmery M., Trabace L., Hill M.N., Vanderschuren L.J.M.J, Cuomo V., Trezza V. Distinct roles of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in social behavior and emotionality at different developmental ages in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015, 25:1362-74. (IF2023: 6.100; IF2015: 4.409)
41. Gray J.M., Vecchiarelli H.A., Morena M., Lee T.T.Y., Hermanson D., Kim A.B., McLaughlin R.J., Hassan K., Kühne C., Wotjak C.T., Deussing J.M., Patel S., Hill M.N. Corticotropin releasing hormone drives anandamide hydrolysis in the amygdala to promote anxiety J Neurosci 2015; 35:3879-92. (IF2023: 4.400; IF2015: 5.924)
42. Morena M., Roozendaal B., Trezza V., Ratano P., Peloso A., Hauer D., Atsak P., Trabace L., Cuomo V., McGaugh J.L., Schelling G. and Campolongo P. Endogenous cannabinoid release within prefrontal-limbic pathways affects memory consolidation of emotional training. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:18333-8. (IF2023: 9.400; IF2014: 9.674)
43. Morena M. and Campolongo P. The endocannabinoid system: An emotional buffer in the modulation of memory function. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory 2014; 112:30-43. (IF2023: 2.200; IF2014: 3.652)
44. Campolongo P.*, Morena M.*, Scaccianoce S., Trezza V., Chiarotti F., Schelling G., Cuomo V., Roozendaal B. Novelty-induced emotional arousal modulates cannabinoid effects on recognition memory and adrenocortical activity. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013; 38:1276-86. *co-first authorship. (IF2023: 6.600; IF2013: 7.833)
45. Trezza V., Campolongo P., Manduca A., Morena M., Palmery M., Vanderschuren L.J.M.J., Cuomo V. Altering endocannabinoid neurotransmission at critical developmental ages: impact on rodent emotionality and cognitive performance. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 2012; 6:2. (IF2023: 2.600; IF2012: 4.758)
46. Hauer D., Ratano P., Morena M., Scaccianoce S., Briegel I., Palmery M., Cuomo V., Roozendaal B., Schelling G., Campolongo P. Propofol enhances memory formation via an interaction with the endocannabinoid system. Anesthesiology. 2011; 114:1380-8. (IF2023: 9.100; IF2011: 5.359)

BOOK CHAPTERS

1. Morena M.*, Mancini G.F., Campolongo P.* (2023). Prediction of susceptibility/resilience towards animal models of post-traumatic stress disease (PTSD). In: Harro J. (Ed.) Psychiatric Vulnerability, and Mood and Anxiety Disorders. Neuromethods, 190:379-96. Humana, New York, NY. *Corresponding authors.
2. Morena M. and Campolongo P. (2019). Disturbi d’Ansia (Anxiety Disorders). In: Calignano (Ed.) Manuale di Farmacoterapia (Pharmacotherapy Handbook). Idelson-Gnocchi. ISBN: 9788879476874; pp. 677-702.
3. Morena M. and Campolongo P. (2014). Endocannabinoid modulation of memory for emotionally arousing experiences. In: Fattore and Campolongo (eds.) Cannabinoids Modulation of Emotion, Memory, and Motivation. Springer-Verlag New York. ISBN 978-1-4939-2293-2.

ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AT NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS & ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS

1. Morena M. “Endocannabinoids, stress, and vulnerability to develop trauma-related disorders” invited talk, symposium - FENS Forum 2024 – Jun 25 – 29, 2024, Vienna, Austria
2. Morena M. “Modulation of memory under stress: endocannabinoids matter” invited talk, symposium - 36th ECNP Congress – Oct 7 - 10, 2023, Barcelona, Spain.
3. Morena M. “Amygdala regulation of stress effects on fear memory processes” invited talk, symposium - 9th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference – Oct 14 - 18, 2023, Carthage, Tunisia.
4. Morena M. “Endocannabinoid system and regulation of stress effects on fear memory processes” invited talk, symposium - 8th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference – May 29 - Jun 02, 2022, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
5. Morena M. “Endocannabinoid modulation of stress influence on mechanisms of fear extinction” invited talk, symposium – 40th National Congress of the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) – Mar 09-13, 2021, Virtual meeting
6. Morena M., Colangeli R., Nastase A. S., Santori A., Teskey G. C., Hill M. N. “Inhibition of the endocannabinoid anandamide degradation restores stress-mediated impairments of contextual fear memory extinction and hippocampal in vivo long-term synaptic plasticity” selected talk – Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain - Feb 22-24, 2019, Fernie (BC), Canada
7. Morena M., Colangeli R., Nastase A. S., Santori A., Teskey G. C., Hill M. N. “Inhibition of the endocannabinoid anandamide degradation restores stress-mediated impairments of contextual fear memory extinction and hippocampal in vivo long-term synaptic plasticity” selected Data Blitz talk - ACNP meeting 2018 – Dec 9-13, 2018, Hollywood (Florida) USA
8. Morena M. “Enhancing endocannabinoid neurotransmission augments the efficacy of extinction training and ameliorates traumatic stress-induced behavioral alterations in rats”, invited talk – Young Research Award 2017, Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome – Aug 12 2018, Rome, Italy
9. Morena M. “Overexpression of the endocannabinoid anandamide degrading enzyme in the basolateral amygdala paradoxically decreases anxiety and fear memory” selected lightning talk– The 2018 International Conference on Learning and Memory – Apr 18-22, 2018, Huntington Beach, California, USA
10. Morena M. “Impact of different stress intensities on cognition and emotion: a focus on endocannabinoids” invited talk, symposium – 38th National Congress of the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) – Oct 25-28, 2017, Rimini, Italy
11. Morena M., Leitl K. D., Rashid A., Josselyn S. A., Hill M. “Fatty acid amide hydrolase overexpression in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala induces paradoxical effects on anxiety and fear memory in rats” selected talk – Gordon Research Seminar Cannabinoid function in the CNS - Aug 19-20, 2017, Waterville Valley (NH), USA
12. Morena M., Leitl K. D., Rashid A., Josselyn S. A., Hill M. “Fatty acid amide hydrolase overexpression in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala induces paradoxical effects on anxiety and fear memory in rats” selected talk – 27th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society 2017 - Jun 22-27, 2017, Montreal (QB), Canada
13. Morena M. “Modulation of cognition and emotion by the endocannabinoid signaling is dependent on stress and arousal state” invited talk, symposium – 6th Conference of the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society 2017 - Jun 12-15, 2017, Malta
14. Morena M. “Paradoxical effects of fatty acid amide hydrolase overexpression in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala in anxiety and fear memory in rats” selected talk – Munich Winter Conference on Stress – Mar 19-22, 2017, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
15. Morena M., Leitl K. D., Rashid A., Josselyn S. A., Hill M. “Fatty acid amide hydrolase overexpression in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala paradoxically decreases anxiety and reduces fear expression in rats” selected talk – Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain - Feb 23-25, 2017, Fernie (BC), Canada
16. Morena M. “Endocannabinoid modulation of cognition and emotion: Influences of stress and arousal state” invited talk – HBI Postdoctoral Researcher of the Year, Hotchkiss brain Institute, University of Calgary – May 13, 2016, Calgary (AB), Canada
17. Morena M. “Endocannabinoid modulation of cognition and emotion is influenced by arousal state” invited talk – Youth Mental Health Day 2016, The Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of Calgary – Mar 7, 2016, Calgary (AB), Canada
18. Morena M. “Training-associated emotional arousal shapes endocannabinoid modulation of spatial memory retrieval in rats”, invited talk – Young Research Award 2015, Dept. Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome – Mar 1 2016, Rome, Italy
19. Morena M. “Stress effects on memory: The role of the endocannabinoid system”, invited talk, symposium – Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015, 61:20; PS4.3.2 - ISPNE Conference: Stress and the Brain, from Fertility to Senility – Sep 8-11, 2015, Edinburgh, Scotland
20. Morena M., De Castro V., Gray J. M., Trezza V., Roozendaal B., Hill M. N. and Campolongo P. “Learning under stress differentially affects cannabinoid modulation of spatial memory retrieval in rats”, selected talk – Canadian Spring Conference on Behaviour and Brain - Feb 19-21, 2015, Fernie (BC), Canada
21. Morena M., Peloso A., Trezza V., Hill M. N. and Campolongo P. “Learning under stress differentially affects cannabinoid modulation of spatial memory retrieval in rats”, selected talk – 24th Annual symposium of the International Cannabinoid Research Society 2014 - Jun 28-Jul 3, 2014, Baveno, Italy
22. Morena M., Peloso A., Campolongo P., Cuomo V. “Context-associated emotional arousal shapes endocannabinoid modulation of spatial memory retrieval in rats”, selected talk – 36th Conference of the Italian Society of Pharmacology” - Oct 23-26, 2013, Turin, Italy

POSTERS AT NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS (50+)

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

1. Public talk. Title: “Cannabis and PTSD: From neurobiology to clinical implications”; Medical Cannabis & Clinical Research in Canada, Clinical Research Association of Canada – Feb 2, 2017, Calgary (AB), Canada
2. On line article. Title: “Struggling to forget: Memory researcher studies PTSD causes and cure”; UToday (University of Calgary on line news service), Mar 17 2016. https://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-03-17/struggling-forget-memory...
3. Newspaper article. Title: “U of C studies marijuana link to possible PTSD cure”; Calgary Herald, Mar 17 2016. http://calgaryherald.com/health/u-of-c-studies-marijuana-link-to-possibl...
4. Newspaper article. Title: “Testing pot to help PTSD”; Calgary Sun, March 17 2016.
5. On line video interview. Title: “Maria Morena, PhD”; AIHS Channel, March 17 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5OgFcyn2I4&feature=youtu.be
6. On line article. Title: “Da Teggiano al Canada per dare una mano alla scienza. La storia della ricercatrice Maria Morena Alla University of Calgary Maria studia per curare il Disturbo da Stress Post Traumatico”; OndaNews, March 29 2016. http://www.ondanews.it/da-teggiano-al-canada-per-dare-una-mano-alla-scie...
7. On line article. Title: “Premi e riconoscimenti per una ricercatrice di Teggiano. Il Canada “incorona” Maria Morena”; Italia2TV, March 29 2016.
8. On line article. Title: “Un Vallo di cervelli (in fuga): Maria Morena”; La Mosca del Mattino-Blog, March 29 2016. https://passorrentino.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/un-vallo-di-cervelli-in-f...
9. Radio interview. Radio Alfa, Salerno, Italy. Program: Salernitani nel mondo. Title: “Salernitani nel Mondo: la ricercatrice Maria Morena in Canada studia i meccanismi dei ricordi”, March 30 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFHlPPrZlbg
10. Radio interview. CKUA, Edmonton (AB), Canada. Program: Innovation Anthology. Title: “Brain research into ptsd memories”, April 5 2016
11. Magazine article. Title: “Wiping out the fear, using our brain chemistry to help battle PTSD”. Apple magazine, Summer 2016, issue 22, page 37.
12. Middle school Lectures. Title: “Adolescents and brain differences: gender-dependent effects of drugs of abuse”. Middle school, grade 7, 4 hours. Istituto Comprensivo Santa Beatrice, Rome. December 6 2022
13. High school Lecture in collaboration with “Fondazione Spera”. Title: “Effects of drugs of abuse on the brain”. Liceo Carducci Ferrara, Italy. 1 hour, February 17 2023
14. High school Lecture. Title: “Adolescents and brain differences: gender-dependent effects of drugs of abuse”. High school, 3 hours. IIS Antonio Meucci, Nepi (VT). November 13, 2023
15. High school Lecture. Title: “Adolescents and brain differences: gender-dependent effects of drugs of abuse”. High school, 3 hours. Liceo Scientifico Cavour, Rome. November 24, 2023
16. Education/training activity to immigrants on “The importance of vaccination as a prevention tool” Project title: “CON-Sapienza. Social, health and psychological inclusion paths for the migrant population”. 45 min. Associazione Comboniana Servizio Emigranti E Profughi (ACSE), Rome. December 19, 2023.
17. High school Lecture in collaboration with “Fondazione Spera”. Title: “Addiction: from substance abuse to the internet, it can happen to anyone”. IC Cerveteri, Italy, 2 hours; February 12, 2024.
18. Session chair - Workshop for secondary school students on “Therapeutic and recreational cannabis: gender differences and adolescent vulnerability”. Aula magna of Rectorate, Sapienza University of Rome. February 21, 2024.
19. National Magazine article. Title: “How addictions are born: trapped in a vicious circle”. Forward, December 2024
https://forward.recentiprogressi.it/it/rivista/numero-36-abitudini/artic...