Francesca Zappa
Foster City,CA
Summary
Senior Molecular and Cell Biologist with 8+ years of experience in discovery biology projects targeting cellular secretion and stress responses. Demonstrated leadership in problem-solving and critical thinking through successful collaborations in academic and industry environments. Skilled in mentoring junior scientists and translating early-stage research into potential therapeutic programs.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Scientist I
Altos Labs, Institute of Science, Bay Area
05.2024 - Current
- Leadership & Strategy: Managed multiple complex projects and cross-functional research programs; co-led a cross-institute project resulting in the discovery of a potential new therapeutic target.
- Target Validation: Designed, executed, and supervised complex in vitro and in vivo target engagement studies, guiding key go/no-go decisions for early-stage therapeutic programs.
- Management & Mentorship: Acted as the primary mentor to a Research Associate. Led bimonthly presentations of project updates to Principal Investigators, Institute Directors, and Executive Leadership.
- Assay Development: Created and characterized multiple fluorescent and luminescent reporters for light microscopy and high-throughput screening, analyzing cell phenotypes using Incucyte and plate reader assays.
- Service & Outreach: Co-led the internal Altos Seminar series to promote collaboration. Served as an ad hoc reviewer for Science Advances, Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBoC), and Nature Communications.
Scientist II
Altos Labs, Institute of Science, Bay Area
01.2022 - 05.2024
- Project Design: Collaborated with the Principal Investigator (PI) to conceive projects and design experiments; coordinated recruitment of laboratory staff.
- Lab Establishment: Played a key role in setting up the lab and establishing essential workflows; assisted with onboarding new team members, fostering a cohesive and productive group.
- Discovery Pipeline: Developed a novel technology platform and pipeline leading to the discovery of cell non-autonomous signaling downstream of the ISR with high therapeutic potential.
- Platform Development: Designed and characterized precision biology tools (RUSH, BioID/APEX, Dox-inducible systems, chemogenetics FKBP-based dimerization system) and coordinated advanced MS/MS experiments.
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of California, Santa Barbara
06.2019 - 12.2021
Advisor: Diego Acosta-Alvear, Ph.D.
- Studied core mechanisms underlying the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and the Integrated Stress Response (ISR).
- Discovered connections between the ISR and UPR.
- Identified and characterized new membrane-less compartments in the ISR, revealing their connectivity and dynamics.
- Found cell-cycle regulation by the UPR.
PhD Work / Postdoctoral Fellow / Fellow
Fellow TIGEM, Italy
01.2012 - 05.2019
Advisor: Maria Antonietta De Matteis, M.D.
- Created and studied the first disease model for SEDT (chondroplasia) in Medaka fish.
- Unraveled how COPII availability is controlled upon ISR induction, showing CDKs’ role in COPII localization during stress.
- Explored the SEDLIN interactome, demonstrating its role in stress granule formation.
Education
Ph.D. - Cellular and Molecular Biology
The Open University, UK
07-2017
M.Sc. - Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology
Federico II University, Naples, Italy
07.2011
Skills
- Molecular & Biochemical Techniques: Western blots, qPCR/RT-PCR, RNA/DNA/protein extraction, transfection, siRNA/shRNA knockdowns, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, lentivirus production, AAV design, FACS/flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, cell uptake/secretion assays, RNaseq, radioactive metabolic labeling, pull-down assays, ELISA, MS/MS sample prep, basic cloning
- Advanced Cell Biology & Microscopy: Mammalian cell culture (immortalized and primary), cell engineering, stable cell line creation, Incucyte imaging, high-resolution microscopy (live and fixed), FRAP, FLIP, FCS, genome editing (teleost and mammalian cells), cryo-sectioning
- Data Analysis & Software: ImageJ, Imaris, Omero, Arivis for microscopy analysis, GraphPad, Benchling (ELN)
References
- Diego, Acosta-Alvear, Ph.D., dacostaalvear@altoslabs.com, Altos Labs
- Peter, Walter, Ph.D., pwalter@altoslabs.com, Altos Labs
- Maria Antonietta, De Matteis, M.D., dematteis@tigem.it, TIGEM
Publications
- Zappa F., et al., Acosta-Alvear D., & Walter P. Reduced protein influx in the endoplasmic reticulum activates IRE1. (In preparation).
- Ozen M., Zappa F.
- et al. Intrinsic molecular timers and amplitude limiters regulate the Integrated Stress Response. (In preparation).
- Muniozguren NL
- Zappa F.
- et al., Acosta-Alvear D. The integrated stress response induces a common cell-autonomous death receptor 5-dependent apoptosis switch. Cell Death Disease (2025).
- Chowdhury S, et al., Acosta-Alvear D, Zappa F. Baseline unfolded protein response signaling adjusts the timing of the mammalian cell cycle. Molecular Biology of the Cell (2024).
- Zappa F., et al., De Matteis M.A. Role of trafficking protein particle complex 2 in medaka development. Traffic (2024).
- Boone M., Zappa F. Signaling plasticity in the integrated stress response. Frontiers (2023).
- Zappa F., et al., Acosta-Alvear D. Signaling by the integrated stress response kinase PKR is finely tuned by dynamic clustering. JCB (2022).
- Batjargal T., Zappa F., et al., Acosta-Alvear D. Optogenetic control of the integrated stress response reveals proportional encoding and the stress memory landscape. Cell System (2023).
- Tarallo A, et al., Zappa F., et al. Correction of oxidative stress enhances enzyme replacement therapy in Pompe disease. EMBO Molecular Medicine (2021).
- Rauch JN, et al., Zappa F., et al. Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 screening methods using reverse transcriptase-qPCR or CRISPR-based assays in asymptomatic college students. JAMA Network Open (2021).
- Staiano L, Zappa F. Hijacking intracellular membranes to support autophagosomal growth. FEBslett. (2019).
- Zappa F., et al. The TRAPP complex mediates secretion arrest induced by stress granule formation. EMBO J (2019).
- Zappa F., et al., De Matteis M.A. The Golgi complex in disease and therapy. Curr Opin Cell Biol (2018).
- Zappa F., et al., De Matteis M.A. TRAPPing Rab18 in lipid droplets. EMBO J (2017).
Timeline
Senior Scientist I
Altos Labs, Institute of Science, Bay Area
05.2024 - Current
Scientist II
Altos Labs, Institute of Science, Bay Area
01.2022 - 05.2024
Postdoctoral Fellow
University of California, Santa Barbara
06.2019 - 12.2021
PhD Work / Postdoctoral Fellow / Fellow
Fellow TIGEM, Italy
01.2012 - 05.2019
Ph.D. - Cellular and Molecular Biology
The Open University, UK
M.Sc. - Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology
Federico II University, Naples, Italy