ANNA CRESCENZI

Education

Institution Degree Year
Sapienza University of Rome Degree in Medicine and Surgery 1988
Sapienza University of Rome Specialization in Anatomical Pathology 1992

Current position
Associate Professor of Pathology, Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome.
Responsabile UOS Citodiagnostica nella UOC di Anatomia Patologica, DAI delle Attività Cliniche Onco-Ematologiche, Dermatologiche e della Diagnostica Anatomo-Patologica, Policlinico Umberto I
Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Roma

Previous positions
2023-2024 Associate professor of Pathology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2022-2024 Head Unit of Endocrine organs and neuromuscular pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2022-2024 Head of Research Unit of Endocrine organs and neuromuscular pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2014-2022 Director Pathology Unit University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
1999-2014 Head SSD Anatomic Pathology, Regina Apostolorum Hospital Albano Laziale (Rome).
2009-2014 Consultant pathologist, head of Pathology Service, Israelitic Hospital (Rome) in agreement with Regina Apostolorum Hospital (Albano Laziale) Rome.
1993-1999 Consultant pathologist, Regina Apostolorum Hospital (Albano Laziale) Rome
1992-1993 Research contract holder, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata (IDI), Rome

Other Professional and Research experiences
2023 Certification IESE Business School, Leading from Example Program – Top management.
2018 National habilitation to serve as full professor, Settore disciplinare 06/A4 Anatomia Patologica
2018 Course “Requisiti per le biobanche di ricerca e sviluppo delle applicazioni biotecnologiche: il ruolo della norma UNI ISO 20387:2018”. Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome
2017 National habilitation to serve as associate professor, Settore disciplinare 06/A4 Anatomia Patologica
2000 Visiting assistant professor, Anatomic Pathology Division, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Head Prof. V. LiVolsi.
1999 Course “Norma UNI EN ISO 9001 e Sistema Qualità” Coopers & Lybrand Consulting, September to November 1999, Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Albano Laziale, Rome
1998 Course and certificate “Programma di Formazione Manageriale in Organizzazione e Gestione delle Aziende Ospedaliere”, Coopers & Lybrand Consulting, April to June 1998, Ospedale Regina Apostolorum, Albano Laziale, Rome.
1989-1990 Flow cytometry, Divisione di Ricerca e Sperimentazione, Sezione di Immunologia, dell'Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Aeroporto di Pratica di Mare, Roma).
1988 Computer science application in Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Hospital (New York, NY).

Scientific Interest, skills, and competences
- Recognized experience in endocrine pathology with particular interest in thyroid pathology and cytology. In this context she has been co-author of the Italian Guidelines for the reporting of thyroid cytology since 2007 and is co-editor of the forthcoming book "2024 Update of the Italian Consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology".
- Applications of traditional and innovative molecular techniques for the study of nodular thyroid pathology, with particular interest in pathogenetic mechanisms and diagnostic markers. Ongoing studies include sequencing analysis, gene expression analysis, including in situ evaluation with mRNA probe hybridization, and biomolecular profile analysis using Raman spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques.
The research activity is developed along two lines: a- search for new markers of diagnostic, prognostic and/or predictive value to be applied to cytological diagnostics to improve the performance of the fine needle aspiration cytological examination and reduce the use of diagnostic surgery; b- identify key steps in thyroid oncogenesis through the observation of biochemical changes that occur between healthy and neoplastic tissue.
- Digital Pathology with particular reference to morphological and quantitative analysis techniques on digital slides, using dedicated software (QPath) and Instant Digital Pathology applications using the innovative fluorescence laser confocal microscopes for real-time ex-vivo observation of fresh tissue samples without preparation of conventional histological slide. Special interest in this field is addressed to the development of artificial intelligence systems through training of neural networks for computer-aided diagnosis (CAD).
- Evaluation of new immuno-checkpoints in lymphoproliferative diseases with particular reference to TIGIT in Hodgkin's lymphoma. Activity was carried out in collaboration with the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (San Diego, US).

Bibliometric indicators
Author of 167 papers in peer reviewed journals (Source Scopus)
Hirsch (H) index: 39 (Source Scopus)
Citations: 7811 (Source Scopus)
IF active (first or last name) last 5 years: 42,65 (Source CINECA IRIS, updated 2022)
Author of conference papers and scientific books
Author ORCID: 0000-0002-8156-5753
Scopus Author Identifier: 7003433980
Publons/Web of Science Id: J-8820-2018

Research grants

2024 Principal Investigator of the project “New instant digital pathology protocol for fast diagnosis and reliable molecular profile in thyroid cytology” funded Bando Ateneo Sapienza-Bandi Grandi.

2024 Principal Investigator of the project “Digital annotation of pathological features and deep learning algorithm combining whole slide imaging with clinical and molecular data to improve patient’s management in uncommon cancers: the thyroid follicular carcinoma model”. Obtained ISCRA Application Class C project approved at CINECA HPC Department.

2022 Principal Investigator of project “DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIPARAMETRIC APPROACH FOR NEW INSTANT DIGITAL PATHOLOGY TO SUPPORT FAST DIAGNOSTIC PRECISION AND APPROPRIATE CLINICAL DECISION” (PNRR-POC-2022-12376531) Funded by Ministero della Salute PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA Missione: M6/componente: C2 Investimento: 2.1 Valorizzazione e potenziamento della ricerca biomedica del SSN. Tematica Proof of concept (PoC).

2018 Principal Investigator of project “RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AS AN INNOVATIVE TOOL TO IMPROVE DIAGNOSIS OF THYROID CANCER AND REDUCE UNNECESSARY SURGERY- TIRAMA”, funded by Ministero della Salute RF-2018-12366568.

2017 Collaborator as UO2 Anatomia Patologica for the project “Incremento del TRL della tecnologia CytoMatrix – Cyto+” Principal Investigator Prof. Ing. Marcella Trombetta, Ingegneria Tissutale e Chimica, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, funded in the franework “INTESE: INnovazione e Trasferimento tEcnologico per Sostenere la fruizione dei risultati della ricerca sul tErritorio” of Lazio Region (prot. FILAS-RU-2014-1193).

2017 Principal investigator of the project “Spettroscopia Raman per la diagnosi del cancro”. Funded by Fondazione Alberto Sordi.

2015 Collaborator in the international project “Clinical validation of a diagnostic tool for malignancy risk assessment in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology at fine needle aspiration. Thyro-Trust”. Funded by European Commission H2020, PHC12.

2012 Principal investigator of the project “Thyroid core biopsy: a new sampling technique”. Funded by Israelitic Hospital Scientific Commission.

Teaching activity

2024-current Course Anatomical Pathology, Single cycle master’s degree programme “E” Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome.
2024-current Corse Fundamental of anatomical pathology, Degree Programme in Nursing, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine and Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University of Rome.
2023 Course Anatomical Pathology, CdLM Medicine and Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2023 Lecturer “La citologia pancreatica e delle vie biliari”, Master La biopsia liquida in medicina traslazionale, University “Magna Graecia” Catanzaro.
2022 Advanced training course: Diagnosi e terapia della patologia nodulare della tiroide. Unitelma Sapienza, University of Rome
2022 Degree thesis supervisor, School of Medicine and Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2020-2021-2022 Lecturer Master “Tecniche Diagnostiche Autoptiche e Forensi”. Catholic University, Rome
2020-2022 specialization thesis supervisor, Residency School in Pathology, School of Medicine and surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2019-2021 Co-tutor PhD, in “Scienze Biomediche Integrate e Bioetica”, XXXIV° ciclo a.a. 2019-2020
2019-20 Degree thesis supervisor, CdLM Medicine and Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2018-2019 Degree thesis supervisor, degree course Biomedical Laboratory Technicians, Sapienza University of Rome
2018-2019 specialization thesis supervisor, Residency School in Hematology, School of Medicine and surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.
2017-2018 specialization thesis supervisor, Residency School in Pathology, School of Medicine and surgery, Sapienza University of Rome
2017-2018 Degree thesis supervisor, Medical Biotechnology Master Degree, School: Medicine and Surgery, University Tor Vergata, Rome
2017-2018 Degree thesis supervisor, Degree Course in Industrial Engineering, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2017-2018 Lecturer Advanced course in Diagnostic cythology, Catholic University, Rome
2016-2017 Co-tutor PhD, program “Scienze Biomediche Integrate e Bioetica”, XXXII° ciclo University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.
2016-2017 Lecturer, Advanced course in Diagnostic cytology, Catholic University, Rome
2015-2016-2017 Lecturer, Master “Tecniche diagnostiche autoptiche, istopatologiche, microbiologiche e radiologiche”, Catholic University, Rome
2016-2020 Lecturerr in training courses Società Italiana di Citologia (SICI)
2015 specialization thesis supervisor, Residency School in Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome
2014-2018. Master thesis supervisor “Tecniche diagnostiche autoptiche, istopatologiche, microbiologiche e radiologiche”, Catholic University of Rome
2014-2015 Degree thesis supervisor, degree course Biomedical Laboratory Technicians, Sapienza University of Rome
2014 Co-tutor PhD program in “Endocrinologia e Malattie Metaboliche”, XXVIII° ciclo University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.
2012 Lecturer Master “Tecniche di laboratorio di Anatomia Patologica”, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome.
2011-2014 Course “Histology”, Degree Course in Nursing Sciences. University of Tor Vergata, Rome.
2009-2015 Member of teaching commission of Associazione Italiana Tiroide (AIT)
2008 Degree thesis supervisor, Residency School in Anatomic Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome.
2007-2012 Course “Biologia molecolare applicata alla Anatomia Patologica”, Residency School in Anatomic Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome.
2005-2014 Member of the board of the Hospital Teaching Department, "Regina Apostolorum", Albano Laziale (Roma).
1999-2012 Course “Patologia dell’apparato muscolare”, Residency School in Anatomic Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome.
1994-2007 Lecturer, interventional radiology course, Scuola Medica Ospedaliera della Regione Lazio.
1994-2007 Lecturer, Endocrinology course, Scuola Medica Ospedaliera della Regione Lazio.

Scientific Societies membership
Fondazione ITCO (Italian Thyroid Cancer Observatory Foundation), vice president vicario
Società Italiana di Anatomia Patologica e Citologia/International Academy of Pathology (SIAPEC/IAP) (SIAPEC). Member of: Comitato di Citologia SIAPEC-IAP board for guidelines for reporting thyroid cytology, Comitato di Patologia Endocrina (GIPE).
Associazione Scientifica per la Sanità Digitale (ASSD). Member of the Scientific Committee.
Associazione Italiana della Tiroide (AIT)
Associazione Medici Endocrinologi (AME)
European Thyroid Association (ETA). Member of the international board for guidelines about molecular testing in thyroid cytology.
European Society for Digital and Integrative Pathology (ESDIP)
American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE). Member of international board for American and Italian guidelines from American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, AACE and Associazione Medici Endocrinologi, AME for management of thyroid nodular pathology
Member of committee for the national guidelines proposed by AME "Gestione del nodulo benigno della tiroide causa di sintomi locali" accepted (2022) and available on SNLG platform: https://snlg.iss.it/?cat=6
Registered in the Agenas register of expert collaborators, Area 4: Clinico Organizzativa Epidemiologica e Sociale.
Patents
- Patent “Marcatori diagnostici del carcinoma papillare tiroideo e loro utilizzo” deposit N°102026000000517 on 13/01/2026.
- Patent "Sample preparation method for microscopic examination using a chitosan-based porous material" European Patent Application Nr. 22162464.6, 16.03.2022, 20030-MAV-P- EP, Applicant: Vivascope GmbH (München, Germany).
- Patent “Materiale poroso per inclusione di preparati citologici, procedimento per l’ottenimento dello stesso e suo uso” N° 102016000111352, issued 2019. The product has become a commercial product under the name Cytomatrix and is produced and distributed by the company UCS Diagnostic s.r.l., Rome (Italy)
- Patent “DISPOSITIVO E METODO PER LA RACCOLTA, LA CONSERVAZIONE E/O IL TRASPORTO DI CAMPIONI BIOLOGICI”, N° 102017000051294, issued in 2019. It is produced and distributed under the name “Safe Capsule” by the company Diapath SpA, Bergamo (Italy).
- Patent “Apparecchio precarico per auto-iniezione” registrato con N° 0001222299, issued 15 settembre 1990

2025- Member of patent commission of Sapienza University of Rome