Research Fellow
Overview
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.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Veterinary Science, University of Padua
- Postgraduate Diploma Animal Health, University of Padua
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology
Publications
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Journal Article: dynamAedes: a unified modelling framework for invasive Aedes mosquitoes
Da Re, Daniele, Van Bortel, Wim, Reuss, Friederike, Müller, Ruth, Boyer, Sebastien, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Arnoldi, Daniele, Marini, Giovanni, Rizzoli, Annapaola, L’Ambert, Gregory, Lacour, Guillaume, Koenraadt, Constantianus J. M., Vanwambeke, Sophie O. and Marcantonio, Matteo (2022). dynamAedes: a unified modelling framework for invasive Aedes mosquitoes. Parasites & Vectors, 15 (1) 414, 414. doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05414-4
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Conference Publication: In vitro detection of dengue 1 virus in human whole blood, plasma, and serum with nearinfrared spectroscopy
Goh, Brendon, Visendi, Paul, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Soares, Ricardo, Liu, Wenjun and Lord, Maggy (2022). In vitro detection of dengue 1 virus in human whole blood, plasma, and serum with nearinfrared spectroscopy. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, United States, October 30 - November 3, 2022. Arlington, VA United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
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Conference Publication: Novel diagnostic tools for soil transmitted helminths with non-invasive capability. The nearinfrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence
Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T., Kariyawasam, Tharanga, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo J. and Giacomin, Paul (2022). Novel diagnostic tools for soil transmitted helminths with non-invasive capability. The nearinfrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, United States, October 30 - November 3, 2022. Arlington, VA United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Grants
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(2021–2025) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
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Prevalence and interaction of Wolbachia sp. in mosquito vectors of Dirofilaris immitis
(2020–2023) Research Donation Generic
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Monitoring of Dirofilaria immitus in mosquitoes of the Greater Brisbane area
(2019–2021) Peter & Mary Ellen Stone Memorial Fund
Supervision
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Development and validation of a novel device for the detection of malaria parasites and arboviruses to stop outbreaks and guide elimination.
Doctor Philosophy
Available Projects
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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.
Publications
Journal Article
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dynamAedes: a unified modelling framework for invasive Aedes mosquitoes
Da Re, Daniele, Van Bortel, Wim, Reuss, Friederike, Müller, Ruth, Boyer, Sebastien, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Arnoldi, Daniele, Marini, Giovanni, Rizzoli, Annapaola, L’Ambert, Gregory, Lacour, Guillaume, Koenraadt, Constantianus J. M., Vanwambeke, Sophie O. and Marcantonio, Matteo (2022). dynamAedes: a unified modelling framework for invasive Aedes mosquitoes. Parasites & Vectors, 15 (1) 414, 414. doi: 10.1186/s13071-022-05414-4
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First report of the detection of DENV1 in human blood plasma with near-infrared spectroscopy
Goh, Brendon, Visendi, Paul, Lord, Anton R., Ciocchetta, Silvia, Liu, Wenjun and Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T. (2022). First report of the detection of DENV1 in human blood plasma with near-infrared spectroscopy. Viruses, 14 (10) 2248, 2248. doi: 10.3390/v14102248
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Goh, Brendon, Ching, Koek, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J., Ciocchetta, Silvia, Edstein, Michael D., Maciel-de-Freitas, Rafael and Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T. (2021). The application of spectroscopy techniques for diagnosis of malaria parasites and arboviruses and surveillance of mosquito vectors: A systematic review and critical appraisal of evidence. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15 (4) e0009218, 1-24. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009218
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The new European invader Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus: a potential vector of chikungunya virus
Ciocchetta, Silvia, Prow, Natalie A., Darbro, Jonathan M., Frentiu, Francesca D., Savino, Sandro, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Capelli, Gioia, Aaskov, John G. and Devine, Gregor J. (2018). The new European invader Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus: a potential vector of chikungunya virus. Pathogens and Global Health, 112 (3), 107-114. doi: 10.1080/20477724.2018.1464780
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Laboratory colonization of the European invasive mosquito Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus
Ciocchetta, Silvia, Darbro, Jonathan M., Frentiu, Francesca D., Montarsi, Fabrizio, Capelli, Gioia, Aaskov, John G. and Devine, Gregor J. (2017). Laboratory colonization of the European invasive mosquito Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus. Parasites and Vectors, 10 (1) 74. doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2010-2
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Montarsi, Fabrizio, Drago, Andrea, Martini, Simone, Calzolari, Mattia, De Filippo, Francesco, Bianchi, Alessandro, Mazzucato, Matteo, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Arnoldi, Daniele, Baldacchino, Frédéric, Rizzoli, Annapaola and Capelli, Gioia (2015). Current distribution of the invasive mosquito species, Aedes koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica] in northern Italy. Parasites and Vectors, 8 (1) 614. doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-1208-4
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Montarsi, Fabrizio, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Devine, Gregor, Ravagnan, Silvia, Mutinelli, Franco, Frangipane di Regalbono, Antonio, Otranto, Domenico and Capelli, Gioia (2015). Development of Dirofilaria immitis within the mosquito Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus, a new invasive species for Europe. Parasites and Vectors, 8 (1) 177. doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0800-y
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Retrospective space-time analysis methods to support West Nile virus surveillance activities
Mulatti, P., Mazzucato, M., Montarsi, F., Ciocchetta, S., Capelli, G., Bonfanti, L. and Marangon, S. (2015). Retrospective space-time analysis methods to support West Nile virus surveillance activities. Epidemiology and Infection, 143 (1), 202-213. doi: 10.1017/S0950268814000442
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Montarsi, Fabrizio, Mazzon, Luca, Cazzin, Stefania, Ciocchetta, Silvia and Capelli, Gioia (2015). Seasonal and Daily Activity Patterns of Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Vectors of Pathogens in Northeastern Italy. Journal of Medical Entomology, 52 (1), 56-62. doi: 10.1093/jme/tju002
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Further evidence of lineage 2 West Nile Virus in Culex pipiens of North-Eastern Italy
Capelli, Gioia, Ravagnan, Silvia, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Cazzin, Stefania, Bonfanti, Lebana, Di Gennaro, Annapia, Portanti, Ottavio, Mulatti, Paolo, Monne, Isabella, Cattoli, Giovanni, Cester, Giorgio, Russo, Francesca, Savini, Giovanni and Marangon, Stefano (2013). Further evidence of lineage 2 West Nile Virus in Culex pipiens of North-Eastern Italy. Veterinaria Italiana, 49 (3), 263-268. doi: 10.12834/VetIt.1304.02
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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
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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
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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
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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.
Conference Publication
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Goh, Brendon, Visendi, Paul, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Soares, Ricardo, Liu, Wenjun and Lord, Maggy (2022). In vitro detection of dengue 1 virus in human whole blood, plasma, and serum with nearinfrared spectroscopy. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, United States, October 30 - November 3, 2022. Arlington, VA United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
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Sikulu-Lord, Maggy T., Kariyawasam, Tharanga, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo J. and Giacomin, Paul (2022). Novel diagnostic tools for soil transmitted helminths with non-invasive capability. The nearinfrared spectroscopy and artificial intelligence. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2022 Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, United States, October 30 - November 3, 2022. Arlington, VA United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
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Investigation on key aspects of Aedes koreicus mating biology
Ciocchetta, Silvia, Frentiu, Francesca D., Michelutti, Alice, Montarsi, Fabrizio, Capelli, Gioia and Devine, Gregor J. (2022). Investigation on key aspects of Aedes koreicus mating biology. The 22nd European Society for Vector Ecology Conference, Sofia, Bulgaria, 11-14 October 2022.
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The potential of NIR technique for diagnosis of Trichuris muris
Ciocchetta, S., Giacomin, P. R., Niroshini, T. K., Visendi, P., Floyd, D. E., Soares, R. M. and Sikulu-Lord, M. (2021). The potential of NIR technique for diagnosis of Trichuris muris. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2021 Annual Meeting, Online, 17-21 November 2021.
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McPherson, Brady, Sheridan, Sarah, Owada, Kei, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Mauala, Tautala, Mayfield, Helen, Rigby, Lisa, Ciocchetta, Silvia, Maguire, Julia, Pilotte, Nils, Gonzalez, Andrew M., Williams, Steven A., Gass, Katherine, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2019). Lymphatic filariasis elimination in Samoa: evaluating the use of molecular xenomonitoring as a surveillance tool. 68th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), National Harbor, MD, United States, 20-24 November, 2019. Deerfield, IL, United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.abstract2019
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Montarsi, F, Ciocchetta, S, Ravagnan, S, Simonato, G, Mutinelli, F, Camuffo, S, Frangipane di Regalbono, A and Capelli, G (2014). Laboratory evidence on vector competence of the invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica] for Dirofilaria immitis. 1st Conference on Neglected Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases (EurNegVec): with Management Committee and Working Group Meetings of the COST Action TD1303, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 8-11 April 2014. London, United Kingdom: BioMed Central. doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-s1-o34
Other Outputs
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The Vector Potential of the Mosquito Aedes koreicus
Ciocchetta, Silvia (2020). The Vector Potential of the Mosquito Aedes koreicus. PhD Thesis, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. doi: 10.5204/thesis.eprints.119157
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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(2021–2025) NHMRC IDEAS Grants
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Prevalence and interaction of Wolbachia sp. in mosquito vectors of Dirofilaris immitis
(2020–2023) Research Donation Generic
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Monitoring of Dirofilaria immitus in mosquitoes of the Greater Brisbane area
(2019–2021) Peter & Mary Ellen Stone Memorial Fund
PhD and MPhil Supervision
Current Supervision
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Development and validation of a novel device for the detection of malaria parasites and arboviruses to stop outbreaks and guide elimination.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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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.
