Overview
Background
I am a fully qualified Veterinarian in Italy, with a Masters in Animal Health, Animal Farming and Animal Productions and a PhD in Medical Entomology (QUT).
I have worked for more than 10 years supporting research and public health projects in Australia and internationally including developing countries, gaining wide field and laboratory experience in Medical Entomology, Vector-Borne Diseases Surveillance, Vector Biology and Control, Infectious Diseases, Zoonoses and Parasitology. My wide range of technical field and laboratory expertise includes biological and vector competence studies, virology assays and molecular biology, leading field monitoring in a variety of settings, researching novel diagnostic tools for human and animal infectious diseases, and investigating new animal models for human parasites under high biosecurity containment levels (BLS 3) and quarantine conditions. I have a total of eleven publications in peer-reviewed international journals and I have presented my research at 8 national conferences and 8 international conferences.
Prior to commencing my PhD program in Australia, I gained significant professional experience during a five years training at the Parasitology Laboratory of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Italian Health Authority and Research Organisation for Animal Health and Food Safety) where I underwent diagnostic training on diagnosis of parasitic diseases of domestic and wild animals (coprological examinations and blood smears), identification of endo and ectoparasites, and knowledge of the microbiological, immunological and biomolecular assays applied to veterinary clinical settings.
I recently worked on an innovative Schistosoma models, and on a multidisciplinary project that brings together academic research groups, government agencies and livestock industry partners from different Australian states, to understand Q fever prevalence and dynamics in macropods and livestock, at the UQ School of Veterinary Science. I am leading a study on the field monitoring of the dog heartworm vectors in Queensland at the same School.
I am a team member of the UQ Infectious disease diagnostics group at the School of Public Health (https://public-health.uq.edu.au/research/infectious-disease-diagnostics) where I am currently involved as co-investigator on an innovative Med Tech research: a light-based rapid detection method (NIRS) for the quantification of intestinal worm burden in humans, with Doctor Sikulu-Lord, and I am the Principal Investigator of a project on targeted surveillance of major zoonotic arboviral and other vector-borne diseases in Australia using the spectroscopy technology.
Availability
- Dr Silvia Ciocchetta is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Institution to be confirmed
- Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Public Health, Institution to be confirmed
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Research impacts
My research focuses on the intersection of Public Health and One Health, addressing critical issues related to infectious diseases, vector-borne pathogens, and zoonotic diseases. By exploring the complex relationships between human, animal, and environmental health, I aim to develop innovative solutions for disease prevention, diagnostics, and control strategies.
My work has contributed to advancing our understanding of the transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases and improving diagnostic tools for neglected tropical diseases. This research has direct implications for global health, particularly in resource-limited settings, where early detection and effective disease control are essential for mitigating outbreaks.
Through my publications, I have worked to bridge gaps between veterinary and human health, with a focus on improving disease surveillance, diagnostics, and vector control. My research also supports the broader One Health agenda by demonstrating how interdisciplinary approaches can enhance our ability to predict, detect, and manage infectious diseases that threaten both people and wildlife.
The impact of my work extends beyond academic research, informing public health policies and strategies aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases. By integrating insights from both the human and animal health sectors, my research contributes to a more holistic approach to disease management and prevention on a global scale.
Works
Search Professor Silvia Ciocchetta’s works on UQ eSpace
2013
Journal Article
Distribution and habitat characterization of the recently introduced invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica], a new potential vector and pest in north-eastern Italy
Montarsi, Fabrizio, Martini, Simone, Dal Pont, Marco, Delai, Nicola, Ferro Milone, Nicola, Mazzucato, Matteo, Soppelsa, Fabio, Cazzola, Luigi, Cazzin, Stefania, Ravagnan, Silvia, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Russo, Francesca and Capelli, Gioia (2013). Distribution and habitat characterization of the recently introduced invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica], a new potential vector and pest in north-eastern Italy. Parasites and Vectors, 6 (1) 292. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-6-292
2012
Journal Article
Occurrence and identification of risk areas of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens: a cost-effectiveness analysis in north-eastern Italy
Capelli, Gioia, Ravagnan, Silvia, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Cazzin, Stefania, Porcellato, Elena, Babiker, Amira Mustafa, Cassini, Rudi, Salviato, Annalisa, Cattoli, Giovanni and Otranto, Domenico (2012). Occurrence and identification of risk areas of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens: a cost-effectiveness analysis in north-eastern Italy. Parasites and Vectors, 5 (1) 61. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-61
2012
Journal Article
Molecular xenomonitoring of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in mosquitoes from north-eastern Italy by real-time PCR coupled with melting curve analysis
Latrofa, Maria, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Annoscia, Giada, Dantas-Torres, Filipe, Ravagnan, Silvia, Capelli, Gioia and Otranto, Domenico (2012). Molecular xenomonitoring of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in mosquitoes from north-eastern Italy by real-time PCR coupled with melting curve analysis. Parasites and Vectors, 5 (1) 76. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-5-76
2011
Journal Article
Active monitoring of ticks and tick-borne zoonotic pathogens (TBP) as part of a 'one-health' surveillance strategy: A case study from the Colli Euganei Regional Park, North-Eastern Italy
Drigo, Michele, Martini, M., Ciocchetta, S., Signorini, M., Frangipane Di Regalbono, A. and Cassini, R. (2011). Active monitoring of ticks and tick-borne zoonotic pathogens (TBP) as part of a 'one-health' surveillance strategy: A case study from the Colli Euganei Regional Park, North-Eastern Italy. Giornale Italiano di Medicina Tropicale, 16 (3-4), 75-82.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Silvia Ciocchetta is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
-
Targeted surveillance of major zoonotic arboviral and other vector-borne diseases in Australia using spectroscopy technology
PhD scholarship opportunity: infectious diseases transmitted by vectors represent a significant health threat to the Australian biosecurity. Detection methods used in current surveillance of these pathogens are expensive, time consuming and require highly trained personnel. We propose to conduct a set of experiments to test the best spectroscopy technique to identify infected vectors and demonstrate its capacity as surveillance tool for vector control programs against these pathogens.
Supervision history
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Detection of malaria and arboviruses with spectroscopy and machine learning techniques
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes, Dr Maggy Lord
Media
Enquiries
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