With a background in both structural virology and antiviral research, Francesca is responsible for the execution of PC2-compatible cell culture models to evaluate antiviral compounds in physiologically relevant systems.

Francesca received her PhD from the University of Otago, specialising in structural virology and cryogenic electron microscopy for the characterisation of coronavirus spike glycoproteins.

She has previously held a Research Assistant position at the University of Otago, investigating potential antiviral peptides and peptoids against respiratory viruses, as well as a Callaghan Innovation funded internship at Kimer Med.