From SR-Tiget to Silicon Valley: Advancing Gene Therapy across Sectors

An interview with the SR-Tiget Alumna Annalisa Lattanzi

Scientific rigor, passion, and an enduring commitment to professional growth: these are some of the core values that Annalisa embraced during her formative years at SR-Tiget, where she trained as undergraduate and PhD student. It was at SR-Tiget that she developed her curiosity for gene therapy, laying the foundation for a dynamic international career in the field across academia and industry. Her journey has now taken her in Silicon Valley, where she currently leads development programs as Senior Director – Program Lead at Kamau Therapeutics. In this interview, Annalisa reflects on her experience at SR-Tiget, the lessons that continue to shape her approach to science and leadership, and and what it takes to build a meaningful scientific career across borders and sectors.

Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current role?

I am Annalisa Lattanzi, an Italian scientist originally from the Marche region who moved to the United States to pursue a passion for science and professional ambitions. After years of training in academia, I have spent the past four years working in the industry sector. I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I work as Senior Director – Program Lead at Kamau Therapeutics , a biotech start-up in Silicon Valley. In this role, I am responsible for overseeing strategy and teams involved in the company's development efforts. It is a unique and exciting experience that allows me to interact daily with incredibly experienced, talented, and highly motivated individuals. Working in a small company requires an entrepreneurial mindset, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and the ability to wear multiple hats.

Can you outline your career path at SR-Tiget and beyond?

I completed my academic training in Italy, earning a degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Bologna. In 2008, I joined the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) in Milan, where I spent two years as an undergraduate and four years as a graduate student under the supervision of Prof. Angela Gritti (Gene and neural stem cell therapy for lysosomal storage diseases Unit). My research focused on neural stem cell biology and the development of novel therapeutic approaches using HIV-1-derived lentiviral vectors for rare monogenic neurodegenerative disorders.

It was a privilege for me to spend those years at SR-Tiget. It was a highly formative period for my professional development and instilled in me a deep curiosity and passion for science and gene therapy. It was exciting to share this journey with incredibly talented and inspiring researchers, as well as leading scientists in the field.

Following my PhD, I pursued postdoctoral research at Genethon  (Évry, France) under the mentorship of Prof. Fulvio Mavilio, where I developed viral and non-viral delivery protocols for treating life-threatening diseases, including neuromuscular and blood disorders.

In 2018, I moved to the U.S. to join Prof. Matthew Porteus’s lab at Stanford University School of Medicine – Pediatrics. As a Senior Scientist/Program Manager, I was responsible for both the scientific and operational advancement of investigator-initiated translational research projects in the early stages of clinical development.

In 2021 I transitioned to the industry sector. I spent three years as a Group Leader in the R&D department of Molecular Biology at Genentech , where I focused on developing new gene therapy approaches and advancing viral vector technologies. From there, in 2024 I moved to my current position at Kamau Therapeutics.

What three words best capture your experience at SR-Tiget?

Challenge, mentorship, discipline.

What is the most significant lesson you learned during your time at SR-Tiget, and how has it shaped your career?

I learned to fulfill my role as a scientist with scientific rigor and passion, qualities I continue to bring to my work today.

Finally, what advice would you offer to junior scientists embarking on their careers?

This is a career for disciplined, resilient individuals driven by genuine curiosity and a passion for scientific discovery. The world should be your only limit - seek collaboration with international peers and embrace opportunities to grow through experiences abroad. Learn multiple languages and master the art of communication to pave the way for a successful career. This profession offers the extraordinary privilege of finding fulfillment and enthusiasm in your work, but it can also lead to frustration and stagnation if you follow a path that does not truly align with who you are. Choose wisely and pursue the path that inspires you.