Biography

Virginia is a Hospital Pharmacist working in Cork University Hospital, where she delivers specialised advanced pharmaceutical care to patients with cardiovascular diseases. She is an adjunct lecturer at University College Cork and clinical lecturer in Trinity College Dublin. She sits on the Scientific Committee of the European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP).

She graduated in Pharmacy (MPharm) and was subsequently registered as a Pharmacist in 2000 in her native Italy. She went on to complete her Ph.D in Toxicology in 2004, at the University of Messina.

Having worked for several years as a Post-Doctoral Researcher in Stockholm University and University College Cork, she became a Hospital Pharmacist at CUH. She also worked for a number of years as a part-time locum Community Pharmacist.

While working as a Hospital Pharmacist she has continued her education by completing:

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy Practice (2017), Robert Gordon University
• Post-Graduate course in Cardiology in Clinical Pharmacy Practice (2015), Trinity College
• Post-Graduate course in Anticoagulation Management (2014), University of Birmingham.

Experience:

2019 - present: Clinical lecturer, Cardiology in Clinical Pharmacy Practice (post graduate module) Trinity College Dublin- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

2016 - present: University College Cork - School of Pharmacy

Organises and hosts clinical pharmacy visits for Pharmacy students to the Cardiology and Respiratory wards in CUH as part of the M.Pharm course.

2014 - 2016: Tutor Pre-registration / National Pharmacy Internship Program

2008 – present: Senior Hospital Pharmacist delivering specialised advanced pharmaceutical care to patients with cardiovascular diseases.

2007-2016: Locum Community Pharmacist.

2006 - 2008: Post Doc. Researcher - Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge (TOK) fellowship University College Cork - Biochemistry Dept. Carried out research on the health risks of airborne particulate matter exposure. Taught research skills to students.

2004 - 2006: Post Doc. Researcher - Marie Curie Research Training Network fellowship - Dept. of Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University. Investigated vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) as trapping agent of genotoxic metabolites. Trained in in-vitro studies and analytical techniques (LC-MS/MS).

Committee appointments:

2018 - Present: Scientific committee member European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP). Provide education, CPD and networking opportunities to hospital pharmacists across Europe.

2016 - Present: Hon. Secretary of the Cardiology Specialist Interest Group (SIG) Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland (HPAI). Provide education and CPD to HPAI members with an interest in cardiology.