Fabiana Longo

Biography

Fabiana Longo, Ph.D., is an Assistant Project Scientist in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. She received her Ph.D. in Experimental and Translational Medicine with a curriculum in Neuroscience from the University of Insubria in 2019, completing her doctoral research at San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy. Her research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in genetic diseases and developing targeted translational approaches for treatment.

Longo's work at UCI centers on spinocerebellar ataxias, particularly Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7), where she investigates alterations in GABAergic inhibitory transmission and their role in disease progression. Her research employs both pharmacological and genetic approaches to modulate cerebellar circuitry, with findings that may extend to other polyglutamine ataxias. She has contributed to research demonstrating that zebrin-II cell subtype dysregulation is a shared feature across multiple polyglutamine ataxia mouse models and patients. Her earlier work in Italy examined the pathophysiology of Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS), including the discovery that co-translational degradation of mutant sacsin explains the lack of genotype-phenotype correlation in ARSACS patients.

Longo has published first-author papers in journals including Neurology and Human Molecular Genetics, and has contributed to research published in Science Translational Medicine and the Journal of Clinical Investigation. She has presented her research at international conferences including the Gordon Research Conference on CAG Triplet Repeat Disorders and the International Congress for Ataxia Research. At UCI, she mentors undergraduate and graduate students through the Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Program and has served as a wet lab instructor for diversity initiatives.

Education

• PhD in Experimental and Translational Medicine, curriculum of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 2019
• Master's Degree in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, curriculum of Neuroscience, University of Milan, 2014
• Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology, University of Parma, 2012

Distinctions

• Fondazione Centro San Raffaele research fellowship, 2018 FCSR FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, 2018
• Post graduate research fellowship, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 2015
• Winner of the best poster, CHOC & UCI Rare Disease Symposium & Family Conference, 2025
• Winner of the best oral presentation, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology Retreat of San Raffaele Institute, 2018