Bellinzona, Jun 19 2026
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), affiliated with the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), is pleased to announce the arrival of Dr. Gea Cereghetti as a new Group Leader. Since June 2026, she has been leading the newly established Protein Self-Organization Laboratory, further strengthening IRB’s research activities at the interface of cell biology, biochemistry and biophysics.
Dr. Cereghetti is a Swiss biochemist and cell biologist whose research focuses on understanding how proteins self-organize into higher-order assemblies and how these processes influence health and disease. After training at ETH Zurich and Harvard Medical School, she obtained a PhD in Biochemistry from ETH Zurich, where she was awarded both the ETH Medal and the SAIS Prize for her doctoral research.
She subsequently joined the University of Cambridge as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and member of Trinity Hall, supported by prestigious international fellowships, including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie UKRI Guarantee Fellowship and the EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship. In 2024, she was awarded an SNSF Ambizione grant and the Lopez-Loreta Prize for academic excellence, which enabled her to establish her own independent research program.
At IRB, the Protein Self-Organization Laboratory investigates how proteins self-assemble into functional macromolecular structures that regulate immune responses, cellular metabolism and aging. The group aims to understand how these structures are formed and controlled, how they contribute to normal cellular physiology, and how their dysfunction contributes to disease.
By combining cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular engineering, Dr. Cereghetti’s team seeks to uncover the fundamental principles governing protein self-organization and to explore how this knowledge can advance our understanding of human health and disease.
“After several years abroad, I am really excited to return to Switzerland and join IRB. I look forward to contributing to the Institute’s vibrant research community and to the growing biomedical ecosystem in Ticino, while exploring how protein self-organization regulates immune responses and contributes to age-related diseases.” Some of Cereghetti’s words regarding this achievement.
“We are delighted to welcome Gea Cereghetti to IRB,” says Prof. Robbiani, IRB Director. “Her outstanding scientific achievements and innovative research program will bring new expertise and perspectives to our research community.”
The arrival of the Protein Self-Organization Laboratory further expands IRB’s scientific expertise and reinforces its commitment to supporting talented young investigators and advancing innovative biomedical research.
