Paola Massari, PhD

Adjunct Research Associate Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

I am a PhD scientist with extensive expertise in research, operations and project management in academic research and pharmaceutical industry. I have 15+ years of experience in basic and translational research in innate immunity and inflammation, bacterial pathogenesis and host response, cell biology, protein biochemistry and structure, human and veterinary vaccine design and evaluation established in both academic and industrial settings.

My research areas focus on bacteria interplay with host cells and on the mechanisms of innate immunity mediated by bacterial products. Areas of strong interest include TLR signaling and vaccine development, characterization of protein structure/functions and interactions with host cell receptors in the context of cellular and molecular immunity.

I am a strong communicator of complex scientific information to diverse audiences with excellent scientific writing/editing skills and strong experience as scientific peer reviewer. Proven ability in cost analysis and grant management. My core administrative competencies include: Strategic Vision/Planning – Project Management – Efficiency Improvement – Problem Solving – Logic/Scientific Thinking – Lab Management – Best Practices, SOP, Protocols

Publications

  • Published 10/9/2025

    Roe SK, Mazgaj R, Zhu T, Esmaeeli M, Lewis LA, Genco C, Waldron KJ, Massari P. The gonococcal vaccine candidate antigen NGO1701 is a N. gonorrhoeae periplasmic copper storage protein. PLoS Pathog. 2025 Oct; 21(10):e1013559. PMID: 41066371.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 9/22/2025

    Roe SK, Zheng B, Gulati S, Genco C, Ram S, Massari P. Preclinical in vivo evaluation of a gonococcal multivalent vaccine containing antigens identified by CASS. Front Immunol. 2025; 16:1688536. PMID: 41058689.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 5/7/2025

    Roe SK, Mazgaj R, Zhu T, Esmaeeli M, Lewis LA, Genco C, Waldron KJ, Massari P. The gonococcal vaccine candidate antigen NGO1701 is a N. gonorrhoeae periplasmic copper storage protein. bioRxiv. 2025 May 07. PMID: 40654730.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/18/2024

    Roe SK, Zhu T, Slepenkin A, Berges A, Fairman J, de la Maza LM, Massari P. Structural Assessment of Chlamydia trachomatis Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP)-Derived Vaccine Antigens and Immunological Profiling in Mice with Different Genetic Backgrounds. Vaccines (Basel). 2024 Jul 18; 12(7). PMID: 39066427.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 12/13/2023

    Roe SK, Felter B, Zheng B, Ram S, Wetzler LM, Garges E, Zhu T, Genco CA, Massari P. In Vitro Pre-Clinical Evaluation of a Gonococcal Trivalent Candidate Vaccine Identified by Transcriptomics. Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Dec 13; 11(12). PMID: 38140249.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 57 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Member, Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research
    Boston University
  • Graduate Medical Sciences Educator and Mentor (Primary Mentor of Graduate Students)
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences

Websites

Education

  • Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, PhD
  • Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, MSc
  • Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, BS

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