Stefano Cataldi

September 2014 – May 2018

• Doctorate, PhD in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia
  Thesis Title: Characterization of the new Vps35 p.D620N knock-in mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
  Areas of Research: Parkinson’s Disease
  Research Disciplines: Neurosciences
  Cataldi S. (2018) Characterization of the new Vps35 p.D620N knock-in mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (T). University of British Columbia. Retrieved from https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0365830

September 2007 – March 2014

• Bachelor’s, Pharmacy, University of Ferrara, Italy
  Thesis Title: Characterization of LRRK2 transgenic rats as models of Parkinson’s disease
  Research Disciplines: Neurosciences, Pharmacology
  Cataldi S. (2014) Characterization of LRRK2 transgenic rats as models of Parkinson’s disease. University of Ferrara.

September 2022 – July 2007

• Diploma, Diploma scientifico, Science
  Liceo Scientifico Statale (High School) Q.Ennio, Gallipoli, Italy

September 2024 – Current

• Associate Research Scientist
  Columbia University and Italian Academy at Columbia University
  Areas of Research: Cognition and the striatum
  Research Disciplines: Neurosciences

September 2022 – August 2024

• Associate Research Scientist
  Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute
  Areas of Research: Cognition and the striatum
  Research Disciplines: Neurosciences
  I led studies on neuronal activity and behavior using calcium imaging and operant conditioning in mice. I authored a research manuscript as the primary author (Cataldi 2024).  I supervised lab personnel, coordinated experimental protocols, and managed animal facilities and surgical suites. 

September 2018 – August 2022

• Postdoc Research Scientist
  Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute
  Areas of Research: Cognition and the striatum
  Research Disciplines: Neurosciences
  I conducted research on motor coordination in mice, integrating calcium imaging, pharmacology, and computational modeling. I contributed to multiple publications and a review, showcasing expertise in behavioral analysis, experimental engineering, and Python-based data processing. I directed interdisciplinary team projects, managed laboratory operations, and secured grant funding. 

September 2014 – May 2018

• PhD in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia
  Thesis Title: Characterization of the new Vps35 p.D620N knock-in mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
  Areas of Research: Parkinson’s Disease
  Research Disciplines: Neurosciences

• 2007/6 – 2014/8 Cashier at Parco Gondar – Gallipoli, Italy
  Part-time Seasonal job: Public Relations and events promotion, bar service, interpreter, cashier.
• 2007/6 – 2014/8 Associate at B&B Vittoria – Gallipoli, Italy
  Part-time Seasonal job: Managing and administration, reception and check-in, customer service.
  Working in the tourism industry improved my management abilities. I learned how to interact with clients, staff and suppliers, manage webpages and online services.
• 2012/1 – 2012/8 Pre graduation pharmacy training – Farmacia Fonto’ Giuseppe – Chiesanuova (LE)
  Part-time – Internship

2025 – ongoing

• Science Careers and Opportunities in Policy and Education (SCOPE)
  Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, NY, USA. Co-founder. Volunteer. Director of Communications.
  SCOPE is a peer-led community that aims to develop the next generation of policy-aware scientists by creating opportunities to learn, lead, and engage in science-informed policymaking. www.scopepolicy.org

2023 – ongoing

• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Leadership (IDEAL)
  New York, NY, USA. Chair.
  At IDEAL we lead DEI initiatives to support underserved minorities, including event planning and policy advocacy. We foster community engagement and professional growth for undergraduate and graduate students through mentorship, community-building, and educational outreach. We collaborate with Columbia University administration to improve working conditions for a diverse workforce.

2023-2024

• National Science Policy Network (NSPN)
  USA. Vice-Chair, DEI Committee
  At NSPN I organized and promoted DEI-focused events within the scientific and policy communities, including talks and workshops such as a power-mapping workshop available on YouTube. I also served as grant officer for the Lifting Underrepresented Voices (LUV) grant, providing $2,500 to four separate local chapters for their initiatives in support of underserved minorities.

2021-2024

• Columbia Postdoctoral Workers (CPW) UAW Local 4100
  Organizer, Steward, Head Steward, Bargaining committee, Chair of multiple working groups (fellows, internationals, IDEAL).
  Steward representative for Postdoctoral Union and member of the Bargaining Committee – UAW Local 4100 at Columbia University. Union Stewards organize the district of which they are part and contribute to the broader organization of the union. With my work in the contract negotiations, I helped draft and implement our union contract. Some of the policies we have employed with the new contract include protection for international workers, improvement in the hiring process and protection for new hires, better childcare for parents, including non-biological parents. Some other improvements include the implementation of anti-bullying and power-based harassment guidelines I helped draft, and the formation of a diversity working group to address challenges faced by people from underrepresented populations

2015-2018

• Parkinson Society of British Columbia (PSBC) and Parkinson Canada.
  Vancouver, Canada. Volunteer.
  As a non-profit organization that receives no government funding, PSBC relies on volunteers who are willing to give their time and energy to help support the many individuals affected by Parkinson’s in the province. I participated in the Parkinson Superwalk on September 2015 and 2016, helping with set-up/take-down, registration and other duties during the day of the event. Furthermore, I volunteered at other events organized by PSBC, including the Beer and Chocolate testing and the concert Shake Shake Shake. With PSBC I hosted events in conjunction with the art department, including the Ramon Y Cajal art exhibit opened to patients with Parkinson’s Disease. My work with PSBC includes outreach to people with Parkinson’s disease and connect them with the ongoing research in the PD field. I further engaged with Parkinson’s patients through educational webinars and in-person events, providing support to patients and caregivers.  I was honored to be invited to present my Ph.D. work at the Annual General Meeting. Recording available here.
  With Parkinson Canada I was interviewed to discuss the work on my project. The article describes my work at the University of British Columbia, researching Parkinson’s disease and the importance of my work towards finding a cure for the disease.

Repairing the transportation system within out brain cells
Interviewer: Amanda McCulley, Parkinson Society of British Columbia, ViewPoints, periodic journal published by the Parkinson Society of British Columbia

2015

• International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
  Vancouver, Canada. Volunteer.
  IBRO is a union of neuroscience organizations with the aim to promote and support neuroscience training and collaborative research around the world. The IBRO/USCRC (US Canada Region) offers advanced neuroscience courses for IBRO Alumni and other young investigators residing in Africa and Latin America. In Vancouver, students participated in a specialized neuroscience school that will focus on Development and Disease. I volunteered for IBRO School at UBC, Vancouver, Canada. Set-up of poster session, classes and social events for International Student coming from all over the world to the Canadian Association for Neuroscience Meeting in Vancouver, May 24th to 27^th 2015.

2014- 2015

• Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without borders
  Volunteer. Funds raising, events organization.

2012

• Ancora Utili project, University of Ferrara
  “Ancora Utili” (Still useful) project is a group of volunteers collects unexpired drugs that are still in good condition discarded by various pharmacies for different reasons and ship them to developing countries.

2024 – 2025 The Italian Academy at Columbia University Fellowship – This fellowship is awarded to senior scholars at the post-doctoral level and above who work in innovative work at Columbia University.

2023 Science Forward Travel award – Cold Spring Harbor March 2023.

2018 – 2019 Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI) Top Graduating Doctoral Student Award – University of British Columbia
Travel Grant awarded to top graduating PhD student to travel to a conference and present their thesis work. Used to attend the Winter Conference on Brain Research, Aspen, Colorado (2019)

2017/2 – 2018/2 Rix Family Leading Edge – Prize / Award
LEEF supports each BC Leadership Chair with a one-time additional grant made to the BC Leadership Chair’s university to support students who work closely with the BC Leadership Chair. This funding, established by the late Dr. Donald Rix and his family and given out as Rix Family Leading Edge.

2016/9 – 2016/9 Parkinson Society of British Columbia Travel Grant – Travel grant to attend at the World Parkinson Congress 2016 in Portland.

2016/9 – 2018/4 Parkinson Society of Canada Graduate Student Award – Award to support outstanding graduate student involved in research on Parkinson’s.

2013/1 – 2013/8 Atlante project – University of Ferrara
Atlante project promotes and manages the mobility of students who intend to spend a period of study at a foreign university, outside of Europe. This program aims to strengthen the quality of education by encouraging transnational cooperation and promote the exchange of students between higher education institutions of the participating countries. With this scholarship I had the honor to spend 8 months at the University of British Columbia working in Prof. Farrer’s lab.

2009/9 – 2010/7 Erasmus program – University of Ferrara
Erasmus project, action of the Lifelong Learning Program, promotes and manages the mobility of students who intend to spend a period of study at a foreign university. Whit this scholarship I had the honor to spend one year at the University of Salamanca, famous in Europe for its excellence. During my stay in Spain, I had the opportunity to attend different classes and practical sessions, which gave me a grounding and enthusiasm for laboratory work and knowledge regarding the neuronal system, which always represented my main interest. I have to thank for this Prof. Fernando Perez Barriocanal, professor of the Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Nervous System.