Maura Carrai

Dr. Carrai is an accomplished molecular biologist with a strong background in genetics and genomics.  She holds a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Genetics from the University of Pisa, Italy.  Additionally, she has earned a Certificate of Achievement for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Lead Auditor (LBQMS), highlighting her expertise in laboratory quality management. 

Dr. Carrai has collaborated with renowned research institutions such as the City University of Hong Kong, the University of Sydney, the Institut Pasteur in Paris, and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. Her scientific endeavors span both human and veterinary virology, with a particular focus on metagenomic analyses of viral pathogens in various species, including cats, dogs, pigs, and fish. A landmark achievement in her career was the discovery of novel feline papillomavirus (Felis catus papillomavirus 6 – FcaPV6), further cementing her position as a pioneer in viral genomics.

Dr. Carrai's research is centered on commercially significant viral diseases in aquaculture, with a particular focus on the Scale Drop Disease Virus (SDDV) affecting Asian seabass/barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Her work seeks to enhance the understanding of the genetic basis of resistance to SDDV and to facilitate the selection of disease-resistant strains.