Viola Caretti, M.D. Ph.D. Download PDF

Picutre of Viola

Viola Caretti M.D. Ph.D.
+1 (650) 704-5020
[email protected], [email protected]
HIGHLIGHTS
OF
QUALIFICATIONS

  • Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology and Principal Investigator:
    UTHealth Houston

  • Residency: Baylor Texas Children’s Hospital
    Pediatric Neurology - Neuroscience Track

  • Texas Medical License

  • California Medical License

  • Residency: Stanford Medicine
    Pediatric Neurology

  • Former Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford
    Postnatal Neurodevelopment

  • PhD Cancer Center Amsterdam
    Pediatric Neuro-Oncology

  • Licensed Doctor of Medicine in the EU

  • First authorship on 10 published manuscripts, and 16 total

  • Began a novel line of research on DIPG

  • Setup in vivo work in the NRG

  • Numerous grants, awards and scholarships

  • Extensive mentoring, international, and volunteer experience

WORK
AUTHORIZATION

  • Permanent Resident (Green Card Holder)

EDUCATION

  • UT Health Houston, The BRAINS Research Laboratory (July 2022 – 2023)
    ⋅  Houston, TX, USA
    McCullough Lab
    Postdoctoral Fellow: “The Role of Gut Dysbiosis in Sexually Dimorphic Outcomes after Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy”

  • Baylor / Texas Children’s Hospital (August 2019 – August 2023)
    ⋅  Houston, TX, USA
    Pediatric Neurology Resident

  • Stanford University School of Medicine (June 2017 – June 2019)
    ⋅  Stanford, CA, USA
    Pediatric Neurology Resident

  • Stanford University (October 2012 – May 2017)
    ⋅  Stanford, CA, USA
    Monje Lab
    Postdoctoral Fellow: “Neuro-glial Interactions in the Glioma Microenvironment”
    Stanford Optogentics Innovation Laboratory Course (January 2013)

  • Cancer Center Amsterdam, VUmc (May 2008 – July 2012)
    ⋅  Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Neuro-Oncology Research Group (NRG), VU University Medical Center (VUmc)
    Ph.D. Project: “Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas: towards new treatment strategies”

  • Bicocca University of Medicine (October 2000 – March 2007)
    ⋅  Milan, Italy
    Degree: Doctor of Medicine
    Thesis: “Non-dopaminergic systems in Parkinson’s Disease: an [123I]β-CIT SPECT Study”
    Student Council Representative to the Medicine Faculty (2003 – 2004)

  • Erasmus Project (March – December 2006)
    ⋅  Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Experimental medical thesis internship at the VUmc (Neurology Department)

  • Impington Village College (September 1998 – May 2000)
    ⋅  Cambridge, United Kingdom
    International Baccalaureate
    Ranked 1st among all foreign students and 2nd in the graduating class.

  • Tito Livio Liceum (1994 – 1998)
    ⋅  Milan, Italy
    Classical Studies including Greek and Latin

GRANTS
&
FELLOWSHIPS

  • PERF®-CNS Elterman & Shields Grant (2024)

  • DoP Pilot Grant Award UTHealth Houston (2023)

  • Lyla Nsouli foundation Brain Cancer Research Grant (2015)

  • Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation fellowship (2014)

  • Child Health ResearchInstitute (CHRI) Grant Support Award (2013)

  • Deans Postdoctoral Fellowship (Stanford University) (2013)

  • American Italian Cancer Foundation (AICF) fellowship (not accepted) (2013)

PUBLICATIONS
1.
Korf JM, McCullough LD, Caretti V . A narrative review on treatment strategies for neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Transl Pediatr. 2023 Aug 30;12(8):1552-1571. doi: 10.21037/tp-23-253. Epub 2023 Aug 22. PMID: 37692539; PMCID: PMC10485647.
2.
Perla M, Caretti V , Moro MA, McCullough LD. Role of the Meningeal Lymphatics in Stroke. Stroke. 2023 Jun;54(6):1670-1673. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.043424. Epub 2023 May 22. PMID: 37216448; PMCID: PMC10204316.
3.
C. Wang, S. Sinha, X. Jiang, S. Fitch, C. Wilson, V. Caretti , A. Ponnuswami, M. Monje, G. Grant, F, Yang. A comparative study of brain tumor cells from different age and anatomical locations using 3D biomimetic hydrogels. Acta Biomaterialia (Sept 2020). 2020.09.007.
4.
M.H.A. Jansen*, T. Lagerweij*, A.C.P. Sewing*, D.J. Vugts, D.G. van Vuurden, C.F.M. Molthoff, V. Caretti , S.J.E. Veringa, N. Petersen, A.M. Carcaboso, D.P. Noske, W.P. Vandertop, P. Wesseling, G.A.M.S. van Dongen, G.J.L. Kaspers, E. Hulleman. Bevacizumab targeting diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma: results of 89Zr-bevacizumab PET imaging in brain tumor models. Mol Cancer Ther (Sept 2016). 15(9):2166-74.
5.
V. Caretti* , H.S. Venkatesh*, T.B. Johung*, A. Noll, Y. Tang, S. Nagaraja, E.M. Gibson, C.W. Mount, J. Polepalli, S.S. Mitra, P.J. Woo, R.C. Malenka, H. Vogel, M. Bredel, P. Mallick, M. Monje. Neuronal Activity Promotes Glioma Growth through Neuroligin-3 Secretion. Cell (May 2015). 161(4): 803–816.
6.
V. Caretti* , A.C.P. Sewing*, T. Lagerweij*, P. Schellen, M.H.A. Jansen, D.G. van Vuurden, S. Idema, C.F. Molthoff, W.P. Vandertop, G.J.L. Kaspers, D.P. Noske, E. Hulleman. Convection enhanced delivery of carmustine to the murine brainstem: A feasibility study. J Neurosci Methods (Dec 2014). 238:88-94.
7.
V. Caretti* , M. Bugiani*, M. Freret, P. Schellen, M.H.A. Jansen, D.G. van Vuurden, G.J.L. Kaspers, PG Fisher, E Hulleman, P. Wesseling, H Vogel, M Monje. Subventricular spread of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. Acta Neuropathol (Oct 2014). 128(4):605-7.
8.
V. Caretti , C. Sewing, T. Lagerweij, P. Schellen, M. Bugiani, M.H.A. Jansen, D.G. van Vuurden, A.C. Navis, I. Horsman, P. Wesseling, W.P. Vandertop, D.P. Noske, G.J.L. Kaspers, E. Hulleman, H. Vogel, M. Monje*, T. Wurdinger*. Human pontine glioma cells can induce murine tumors. Acta Neuropathol (Apr 2014). 127(6):897-909.
9.
E. Giovannetti, Q.Wang, A. Avan, N. Funel, E. Galvani, T. Lagerweij, D. Chiasserini, J.H. Lee, V. Caretti , A. van der Velde, U. Boggi, Y. Wang, E. Vasile, G.J .Peters, T. Wurdinger, G. Giaccone. Role of CYB5A in pancreatic cancer prognosis and autophagy modulation. JNCI (Jan 2014). 106(1):djt346.
10.
V. Caretti* , A. Avan*, N. Funel*, E. Galvani, M. Maftouh, R.J. Honeywell, T. Lagerweij, O.V. Tellingen, D. Campani, D. Fuchs, H.M. Verheul, G.J .Schuurhuis, U. Boggi, G.J. Peters, T. Wrdinger, E. Giovannetti. Crizotinib inhibits metabolic inactivation of gemcitabine in c-Met-driven pancreatic carcinoma. Cancer Res (Nov 2015). 73(22):6745-56.
11.
V. Caretti* , L. Hiddingh*, T. Lagerweij, P. Schellen, P.W. Koken, E. Hulleman, D. van Vuurden, W.P. Vandertop, G. Kaspers, D.P. Noske, T. Wurdinger. WEE1 Kinase Inhibition Enhances the Radiation Response of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas. Mol Cancer Ther (Feb 2013). 12(2):141-50.
12.
V. Caretti* , M.H.A. Jansen*, D.G. van Vuurden, T. Lagerweij, M. Bugiani, I. Horsman, H. Wessels, P. van der Valk, J. Cloos, D.P. Noske, W.P. Vandertop, P. Wesseling, T. Wurdinger, E. Hulleman, G. Kaspers. Implementation of a Multi-Institutional Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Autopsy Protocol and Characterization of a Primary Cell Culture. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol (Jun 2013). 39(4):426-36.
13.
V. Caretti , D.P Noske, W.P. Vandertop, G. Kaspers, T. Wurdinger. Pioneering Preclinical Research in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma: Towards New Treatment Strategies. PhD Thesis (July 2012).
14.
S. Idema, V. Caretti , M. Lamfers, V. van Beusechem, D. Noske, W.P. Vandertop, C. Dirven. Anatomical differences determine distribution of adenovirus after convection-enhanced delivery to the rat brain. PLoS One (October 2011). 6(10) e24396.
15.
V. Caretti , I. Zondervan, D. Meijer, S. Idema, W. Vos, B. Hamans, M. Bugiani, E. Hulleman, P. Wesseling, W. Vandertop, D. Noske, P. David G. Kaspers, C. Molthoff, T. Wurdinger. Monitoring of tumor growth and post-irradiation recurrence in a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma mouse model. Brain Pathology (July, 2011). 21(4) 441-51.
16.
V. Caretti , D. Stoffers, A. Winogrodzka, I-U. Isaias, G. Costantino, G. Pezzoli, C. Ferrarese, A. Antonini, E-Ch. Wolters, J. Booij. Loss of thalamic serotonin transporters in early drug-naive Parkinson’s disease patients is associated with tremor: an [(123)I]beta-CIT SPECT study. J Neural Transm (May 2008). 115(5) 721-9.
* Equal Contribution

MEDICAL
BOARDS

  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), Child Neurology Certification (September 2023)

  • USMLE Step 1, 2 CS, 2 CK, 3 (October 2015 - August 2019)

  • Medical Licensing Exam (July 2007)
    ⋅  Milan, Italy

ACADEMIC COMMITEE
&
COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • Baylor Texas Children’s Hospital (2021 – present)
    ⋅  Houston, TX
    Child Neurology DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Commitee

  • MIMS PTO Board Member (2021 – 2022)
    ⋅  Houston, TX
    Corporate Fundraising Chair Mandarin Immersion Magnet School Parent Teacher Organization

  • MIMS Art Club (2021 – 2022)
    ⋅  Houston, TX
    Founder and Instructor Mandarin Immersion Magnet School

AWARDS
FOR
INTERNATIONAL CLERKSHIPS,
ELECTIVES & HONORS

  • PERF-CNS Elterman & Shields Research Grant, Child Neurology Society (August 2024)
    ⋅   Houston, TX
    From: Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation

  • Hospital Infantil Dr. Robert Reid Cabral, Child Neurology Department (March 2022)
    ⋅  Santo Domingo, Domenican Republic
    From: Baylor / Texas Children’s Hospital

  • Hospital das Clinicas, Neurology Department (August – September 2007)
    ⋅  Belo Horizonte, Brazil
    From: International Federation of Medical Students Associations

  • Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Pnumology Department (August 2004)
    ⋅  Oviedo, Spain
    From: International Federation of Medical Students Associations

  • SLIC Facilitator Stanford Leaders in Communication (June 2014)
    ⋅   Stanford, CA

  • Best Presentation Award (November 2010)
    OOA (Annual Oncology Graduate School) Retreat
    ⋅  Texel, The Netherlands

  • Travel Award (December 2007)
    WFN World Congress on Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders
    ⋅  Amsterdam, The Netherlands

MEDIA

  • Brains & Bourbon Ep18 Rethinking Brain Tumors (Sept 2014)
    ⋅   http://goo.gl/qbEQNU

  • Outside the tower. A night at the museum. Mention in Letter in Science (July 2014)
    ⋅   http://goo.gl/3oHs1X

  • NDRI Research Nexus: Brain Donations Empower Researchers at Stanford University (Dec 2013)
    ⋅   http://goo.gl/PuhDzv

  • Penguins & Pajamas Neurotalk at the Academy of Arts and Sciences (Sept 2013)
    ⋅   http://goo.gl/7TZ78Y

MENTORSHIP
&
TEACHING

  • Students Mentored

    • 2 research assistant, and 1 PhD candidate (UT Health) (2023 – present)
      ⋅  Houston, TX

    • 2 Undergraduate, 1 Medical, and 2 PhD Students (Stanford University) (2013 – 2016)
      ⋅  Stanford, CA

      • 1 Undergraduate awarded the Stanford Firestone Medal (2016)

    • 3 Masters Students (Master Oncology, VUmc) (2009 – 2011)
      ⋅  Amsterdam

  • Courses Taught

    • Neurology (Osteopath School of Milan) (2005-2006)
      ⋅  Milan

PROFESSIONAL THEATER TRAINING & PERFORMANCE

  • Being Scene, director A. Hayes (November 2013)
    ⋅  Stanford, CA

  • The Symphonic Body: Stanford, director A. Carlson (May 2013)
    ⋅  Stanford, CA

  • Advanced Theatre Laboratory, director G. Bagnoli (October 2004 — February 2006)
    ⋅  Milan, Italy

  • Advanced Stage for Actors, director G. Bagnoli (August 2005)
    ⋅  Florence, Italy

  • ’Quelli di Grock’ Theater School, 1st and 2nd year (October 2002 — July 2004)
    ⋅  Milan, Italy

ADDITIONAL INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES
&
VISUAL ARTWORK

  • Editorial International Meeting (1993 – 1999)
    ⋅  Buntingford, United Kingdom
    The White House International Centre (Peace Child International)
    Financed by the United Nations.
    Artist-Editor and painter for the books:

    • ’Pachamama’ (1999)

    • ’Global Environment Outlook’ (1998)

    • ’a World in our Hands’ (1995)

    • ’Rescue Mission Planet Earth’ (1993)

  • International Children’s Peace Council (1993 – 1998)

    • Various educational projects on sustainable development and human rights in elementary and secondary schools.
      ⋅  Milan, Italy (1996 – 2007)

    • Delegate in the Children’s Food Summit
      ⋅  Rome, Italy (November 1996)

    • Delegate in the World Summit Children Project
      ⋅  San Jose, Costa Rica (August 1996)