POTENZA Leonardo

CURRICULUM VITAE
Leonardo Potenza, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Hematology
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Staff Hematologist
University Hospital of Modena
ORCID: 0000-0002-2738-6105


1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
ORCID 0000-0002-2738-6105
Scopus Author ID 7003877219
ResearcherID P-9579-2016
E-mail leonardo.potenza@unimore.it

Phone 0594222327
Institution Hematology Section, University Hospital of Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Languages Italian (native); English (C1 – Cambridge English: Advanced)

2. ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL POSITIONS AND INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
2.1 Academic Position
Since December 2018
Associate Professor of Hematology
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children and Adults (SMECHIMAI)
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
2.2 Clinical Position
Since December 2010
Staff Hematologist
Hematology Unit
University Hospital of Modena
2.3 Main Responsibilities
• Head of the Early Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic in Hematology
• Director of the Second-Level University Master's Program in Early Palliative Care (2023–2025)
• VitalTalk Faculty (since 2016)
• Faculty Member, Hematology Residency Program
• Faculty Member, Palliative Medicine Residency Program

3. PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC PROFILE
Associate Professor of Hematology at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Staff Hematologist at the University Hospital of Modena. His clinical, research, and teaching activities focus on hematologic malignancies, with particular interests in Early Palliative Care (EPC), patient-clinician communication, quality of life, Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), and artificial intelligence applied to supportive care.
His research focuses on the development of innovative Precision Early Palliative Care models through the integration of clinical data, PROs, communication, coping strategies, and artificial intelligence, with the aim of personalizing supportive care throughout the care trajectory of patients with hematologic malignancies.
He leads prospective and translational research programs, including COMPAC, AI-PRO/AI-DEA, and COPE-PRO, and serves as Principal Investigator of competitively funded national and international projects, including the Pfizer Global Medical Grant AI-PRO/AI-DEA. He is also involved in national and international multicenter collaborations, including the GIMEMA Quality of Life Working Party and the TOGETHER – Horizon Europe HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-04 proposal.
He has been VitalTalk Faculty since 2016, contributing to the dissemination of serious illness communication training in Italy. His research activities are complemented by a sustained commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including the direction of a University Master's Program, teaching within the Palliative Medicine Residency Program, and the development of interdisciplinary educational programs integrating hematology, palliative care, clinical communication, and digital innovation.

4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING
4.1 PhD
PhD in Molecular and Regenerative Medicina
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2009.
4.2 University Master's Degree
University Master's Degree in Palliative Care and Pain Management: Multidisciplinary and Continuity of Care in Onco-Hematology
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2012 (110/110 cum laude).
University Master's Degree in Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutic Decision-Making in Oncology and Hematology
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2004 (105/110).
4.3 Postgraduate Specialization
Postgraduate Specialization in Hematology
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 2001 (50/50 cum laude).
4.4 Medical Degree
Degree in Medicine and Surgery (MD)
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 1997 (108/110).
4.5 Language Qualifications
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
Cambridge English – CEFR Level C1.

5. ACADEMIC AND CLINICAL CAREER
Since December 2018
Associate Professor of Hematology (SSD MED/15, currently MEDS-09/B)
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and University Hospital of Modena. Clinical, research, and teaching activities within the Hematology Unit.

Academic Years 2023/2024–2024/2025
Director, Second-Level University Master's Program
Early and Simultaneous Palliative Care in Onco-Hematology and Internal Medicine: Clinical Care, Communication, and Quality of Life
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

December 2010–December 2018
Fixed-Term University Researcher (SSD MED/15)
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and University Hospital of Modena.
2017 – Italian National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor, Academic Recruitment Field 06/D3 – Blood Diseases, Oncology and Rheumatology.

March 2005–December 2010
Research Fellow and Contract Physician
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – University Hospital of Modena. Clinical, research, and teaching activities within the Hematology Unit.

May 2002–March 2005
Contract Physician
University Hospital of Modena. Clinical activities within the Hematology Unit.

6. MAIN RESEARCH AREAS
6.1 Hematologic Malignancies
Clinical and translational research in acute leukemias, multiple myeloma, and other hematologic malignancies, with a particular focus on the integration of innovative therapies, supportive care, and quality of care.

6.2 Early Palliative Care and Supportive Care
Development and evaluation of Early Palliative Care models integrated into the treatment pathways of patients with hematologic malignancies, with particular attention to quality of life, adjustment to illness, Goals of Care, end-of-life care, and the personalization of supportive care interventions.

6.3 Patient-Clinician Communication
Research on serious illness communication, prognostic communication, shared decision-making, and communication skills training programs based on the VitalTalk approach.

6.4 Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs)
Development and implementation of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO)-based models to assess supportive care needs and quality of life and to inform the integration of Precision Early Palliative Care.

6. 5 Artificial Intelligence Applied to Clinical Research
Application of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Natural Language Processing methods to integrate clinical data, PROs, and patient-clinician communication for the development of Precision Early Palliative Care models.

7. SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND RESEARCH PROJECTS
Prof. Leonardo Potenza's scientific activity has progressively evolved through translational and clinical research programs integrating immunology, hematology, infectious diseases, and supportive care and, more recently, Precision Early Palliative Care and artificial intelligence.
The first phase of his research focused on T-cell immune responses, infectious complications in immunocompromised patients, and the development of novel diagnostic tools for invasive fungal infections, contributing to two university patents and numerous studies on immune responses to Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, HHV-6, and other opportunistic pathogens, as well as on immunotherapy and infectious complications in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
His research subsequently expanded toward clinical research in hematologic malignancies, particularly acute leukemias, innovative therapies, diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, quality of care, and supportive care.
In recent years, he has conceived, developed, and led the Early Palliative Care model within the Hematology Section of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, one of the first Italian models of early palliative care integration in hematology. This clinical model has become the foundation for a broader clinical and research platform supporting the group's main prospective studies, including COMPAC, focused on patient-clinician communication; AI-PRO/AI-DEA, focused on Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and artificial intelligence; and COPE-PRO, focused on coping strategies.
Within this research framework, he is Principal Investigator of the Pfizer Global Medical Grant AI-PRO/AI-DEA, leads national and international prospective and multicenter research programs, and contributes to the development of the European TOGETHER – Horizon Europe (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-04) proposal, advancing innovative Precision Early Palliative Care models based on the integration of clinical data, PROs, patient-clinician communication, coping strategies, and artificial intelligence methods.

8. COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDING
2025–2027
Principal Investigator
Pfizer Global Medical Grant – AI-PRO/AI-DEA
AI-PRO/AI-DEA – Artificial Intelligence for Patient-Reported Outcomes and Deploying Early Palliative Care.

2026–ongoing
Co-Proponent
TOGETHER – Horizon Europe – HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-04
Proposal under development.
Early Palliative Care for Patients with Indolent Lymphomas.

2015 (18-month project)
Principal Investigator
Gilead Fellowship Program 2015
“The Use of Primary Antifungal Prophylaxis with Azoles Requires Novel Diagnostic Strategies for Invasive Fungal Infections in At-Risk Neutropenic and Non-Neutropenic Patients."

2010
Principal Investigator
Italian Ministry of Health – Finalized Research Program – Young Researchers
“BCR-ABL-Specific T-Cell Infusion for the Treatment of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia."

2005–ongoing
Co-Investigator
Participation in competitively funded research programs supported by AIRC, the Italian Ministry of Health, the Emilia-Romagna Region (Region–University Research Program), and other national and international funding bodies.

9. COORDINATED CLINICAL STUDIES
Early Palliative Care in Hematology Research Program (Principal Investigator)
Prospective clinical research program conducted within the Hematology Section of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, including observational and interventional studies on the integration of Early Palliative Care, quality of life, patient-clinician communication, and Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs).

COMPAC (Principal Investigator)
Prospective study of patient-clinician communication in hematologic malignancies.

AI-PRO/AI-DEA (Principal Investigator)
Prospective study integrating clinical data and Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) using artificial intelligence.

COPE-PRO (Principal Investigator)
Prospective study of coping strategies and supportive care needs in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Clinical Studies in Hematologic Malignancies
Coordination of clinical and translational studies on innovative therapies, acute leukemias, multiple myeloma, and supportive care, including observational, multicenter, and interventional studies.

10. PATENTS
2013
Luppi M., Barozzi P., Potenza L., Vallerini D., Forghieri F.
Method for the Diagnosis and/or Monitoring of Mucormycosis.
Italian industrial invention patent No. 0001403092, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, granted by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development on October 4, 2013.

2010
Luppi M., Barozzi P., Potenza L., Torelli G.
Method for the Diagnosis and/or Monitoring of Invasive Aspergillosis.
Italian industrial invention patent No. 0001375949, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, granted by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development on June 14, 2010; patent with international priority.

11. TEACHING ACTIVITIES
• Professor of Hematology, Degree Program in Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (since December 30, 2018). Previously responsible for the same teaching activity as a Fixed-Term University Researcher (2010–2018).
• Director of the First Second-Level University Master's Program Early and Simultaneous Palliative Care in Onco-Hematology and Internal Medicine: Clinical Care, Communication, and Quality of Life (September 2023–June 2025).
• Faculty Member, Hematology Residency Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
• Faculty Member, Palliative Medicine Residency Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
• VitalTalk Faculty (since 2016), providing national and international training in serious illness communication.
• Coordinator, Elective Course “The Clinical Conversation as a Tool for Care”, Degree Program in Medicine and Surgery (Academic Years 2013–2015).
• Lecturer in Hematology, Degree Program in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Academic Year 2011–2012).
• Faculty Member in national Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs on hematology, Early Palliative Care, patient-clinician communication, and quality of life.

12. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND COLLABORATIONS
• VitalTalk Faculty (Seattle, USA; since 2016), an international organization dedicated to training in serious illness communication.
• Principal Investigator of the Pfizer Global Medical Grant AI-PRO/AI-DEA, focused on the development of artificial intelligence models applied to Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Precision Early Palliative Care.
• Co-Proponent of the European TOGETHER – Horizon Europe proposal (HORIZON-MISS-2026-02-CANCER-04), focused on the development of Early Palliative Care models for patients with indolent lymphomas.
• International scientific collaborations with research groups working in clinical communication, Early Palliative Care, quality of life, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.
• Invited speaker and author of oral and poster presentations at national and international scientific meetings (>50 invited lectures; >100 scientific presentations).

13. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
2015
Gilead Fellowship Program
Competitive research funding awarded as Principal Investigator.
2010
First Prize “Piero Martino” – Italian Society of Experimental Hematology (SIES)
Awarded for the best research project on infectious complications in patients with acute hematologic malignancies.
2008
SIES National Award
Awarded for translational research in acute leukemia.
2007
First Prize – Italian Association for Cell Cultures
Awarded for experimental research on invasive fungal infections.

14. SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS
• Italian Society of Hematology (SIE).
• Italian Society of Experimental Hematology (SIES).
• GIMEMA Quality of Life Working Party.
• VitalTalk Faculty (since 2016), an international organization dedicated to serious illness communication training.


15. EDITORIAL AND PEER-REVIEW ACTIVITIES
• Peer reviewer for international peer-reviewed journals in hematology, palliative care, clinical communication, and quality of life.

16. SCIENTIFIC OUTPUT
• Over 200 publications in international peer-reviewed journals, including New England Journal of Medicine, Blood, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Leukemia, Haematologica, and other indexed journals.
• H-index: 35.
• Total citations (Scopus): 4,454 (updated August 2026).
• 57 Scopus-indexed publications in the past 5 years.
• Over 50 invited lectures and over 100 scientific presentations at national and international scientific meetings.
• Main areas of scientific output: hematologic malignancies, Early Palliative Care, patient-clinician communication, Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), quality of life, innovative therapies, and artificial intelligence applied to supportive care..

17. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
17.1 Early Palliative Care, Communication, and Quality of Care

A Trajectory-Adaptive Model of Early Palliative Care in AML and High-Risk MDS: Real-World Evidence on Core Components and Care Outcomes.
Potenza L, Guerrini G, Di Lorenzo G, Cuoghi Costantini R, Giusti D, Colaci E, Forghieri F, Morselli M, Bettelli F, Pioli V, Cuoghi A, Bresciani P, Messerotti A, Gilioli A, Cretì F, Morandi F, Marasca R, Borelli E, Bigi S, D'Amico R, Mucciarini C, Efficace F, Bruera E, Zimmermann C, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
J Pain Symptom Manage. 2026 Jun 3:S0885-3924(26)00815-8. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2026.05.019.

Quality of life and symptoms in acute myeloid leukaemia with early palliative care: real-world observational study.
Potenza L, Giusti D, Borelli E, Colaci E, Morandi F, Cuoghi Costantini R, Del Giovane C, Forghieri F, Morselli M, Bettelli F, Pioli V, Cuoghi A, Bresciani P, Messerotti A, Gilioli A, Marasca R, Cassanelli L, Parisotto A, Cretì F, Mucciarini C, Bigi S, D'Amico R, Efficace F, Odejide O, Bruera E, Zimmermann C, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2026;16:745-749. doi:10.1136/spcare-2025-006013.

Understanding challenges and barriers to quality end-of-life care for patients with hematologic malignancies: a GIMEMA survey.
Potenza L, Efficace F, Borelli E, Fazi P, Baldi T, Tartaglia F, Sparano F, Cartoni C, Niscola P, Mucciarini C, Odejide O, Bruera E, Zimmermann C, Vignetti M, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
Ann Hematol. 2025;104(10):5423-5432. doi:10.1007/s00277-025-06594-6.

Early Palliative Care, Goals of Care Conversations and Quality End-of-Life Care in Acute Leukemia and HR-MDS.
Potenza L, Giusti D, Borelli E, Colaci E, Banchelli F, Cuoghi Costantini R, Forghieri F, Morselli M, Bettelli F, Pioli V, Cuoghi A, Bresciani P, Messerotti A, Gilioli A, Marasca R, Candoni A, Cassanelli L, Parisotto A, Martini E, Morandi F, Bigi S, D'Amico R, Efficace F, Odejide O, Bruera E, Zimmermann C, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025;70(2):121-130.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.03.029.

Early palliative/supportive care in acute myeloid leukaemia allows low-aggression end-of-life interventions: observational outpatient study.
Potenza L, Scaravaglio M, Fortuna D, Giusti D, Colaci E, Pioli V, Morselli M, Forghieri F, Bettelli F, Messerotti A, Catellani H, Gilioli A, Marasca R, Borelli E, Bigi S, Longo G, Banchelli F, D'Amico R, L Back A, Efficace F, Bruera E, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2024;14:e1111-e1118. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-002898.

Early Palliative Care in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Potenza L, Borelli E, Bigi S, Giusti D, Longo G, Odejide O, Porro CA, Zimmermann C, Efficace F, Bruera E, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
Cancers (Basel). 2022;14(3):478. doi:10.3390/cancers14030478.

Changes in Cancer Patients' and Caregivers' Disease Perceptions While Receiving Early Palliative Care: A Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis.
Borelli E, Bigi S, Potenza L, Eliardo S, Artioli F, Mucciarini C, Cottafavi L, Cagossi K, Razzini G, Cruciani M, Pietramaggiori A, Fantuzzi V, Lombardo L, Ferrari U, Ganfi V, Lui F, Odejide O, Cacciari C, Porro CA, Zimmermann C, Efficace F, Bruera E, Luppi M, Bandieri E.
Oncologist. 2021;26(12):e2274-e2287. doi:10.1002/onco.13974.

17.2 Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life

Association Between Socioeconomic Inequalities and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.
Sparano F, Gaidano G, Niscola P, Puglia S, Codeluppi K, Antonioli E, Califano C, Floro L, Annibali O, Fozza C, Tafuri A, Potenza L, Vignetti M, Cavo M, Petrucci MT, Efficace F.
JCO Oncol Pract. 2026 May 27:OP2500975. doi:10.1200/OP-25-00975.

Assessing frailty in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: A comparison between the patient-reported frailty phenotype and the International Myeloma Working Group frailty index
Krepper D, Sparano F, Giesinger JM, Gaidano G, Niscola P, Codeluppi K, Antonioli E, Califano C, Floro L, Annibali O, Fozza C, Tafuri A, Mazza P, Potenza L, Vignetti M, Cavo M, Petrucci MT, Efficace F.
J Geriatr Oncol. 2025;16(6):102266. doi:10.1016/j.jgo.2025.102266.

Association of IMWG frailty score with health-related quality of life profile of patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma in Italy and the UK: a GIMEMA, multicentre, cross-sectional study.
Efficace F, Gaidano G, Petrucci MT, Niscola P, Cottone F, Codeluppi K, Antonioli E, Tafuri A, Larocca A, Potenza L, Fozza C, Pastore D, Rigolin GM, Offidani M, Romano A, Kyriakou C, Cascavilla N, Gozzetti A, Derudas D, Vignetti M, Cavo M.
Lancet Healthy Longev. 2022;3(9):e628-e635. doi:10.1016/S2666-7568(22)00172-6.

Physicians' Perceptions of Clinical Utility of a Digital Health Tool for Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Monitoring in Real-Life Hematology Practice: Evidence From the GIMEMA-ALLIANCE Platform.
Efficace F, Patriarca A, Luppi M, Potenza L, Caocci G, Tafuri A, Fazio F, Cartoni C, Petrucci MT, Carmosino I, Moia R, Margiotta Casaluci G, Boggione P, Colaci E, Giusti D, Pioli V, Sparano F, Cottone F, De Fabritiis P, Ardu NR, Niscola P, Capodanno I, Leporace AP, Pelliccia S, Lugli E, La Sala E, Rigacci L, Santopietro M, Fozza C, Siragusa S, Breccia M, Fazi P, Vignetti M.
Front Oncol. 2022;12:826040. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.826040.

17.3 Leukemias, Immunotherapy, and Innovative Therapies

BCR-ABL-specific T-cell therapy in Ph+ ALL patients on tyrosine-kinase inhibitors.
Comoli P, Basso S, Riva G, Barozzi P, Guido I, Gurrado A, Quartuccio G, Rubert L, Lagreca I, Vallerini D, Forghieri F, Morselli M, Bresciani P, Cuoghi A, Paolini A, Colaci E, Marasca R, Cuneo A, Iughetti L, Trenti T, Narni F, Foà R, Zecca M, Luppi M, Potenza L.
Blood. 2017;129(5):582-586. doi:10.1182/blood-2016-07-731091.

Emergence of BCR-ABL-specific cytotoxic T cells in the bone marrow of patients with Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia during long-term imatinib mesylate treatment.
Riva G, Luppi M, Barozzi P, Quadrelli C, Basso S, Vallerini D, Zanetti E, Morselli M, Forghieri F, Maccaferri M, Volzone F, Del Giovane C, D'Amico R, Locatelli F, Torelli G, Comoli P, Potenza L.
Blood. 2010;115(8):1512-1518. doi:10.1182/blood-2009-06-230391.

Efficacy of imatinib mesylate as maintenance therapy in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission.
Potenza L, Luppi M, Riva G, Marasca R, Martinelli S, Torelli G.
Haematologica. 2005;90:1275-1277.

17.4 Immunology of Infections and Translational Research

Identification and validation of diagnostic cut-offs of the ELISpot assay for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in high-risk patients
Bettelli F, Vallerini D, Lagreca I, Barozzi P, Riva G, Nasillo V, Paolini A, D'Amico R, Forghieri F, Morselli M, Pioli V, Gilioli A, Giusti D, Messerotti A, Bresciani P, Cuoghi A, Colaci E, Marasca R, Pagano L, Candoni A, Maertens J, Viale P, Mussini C, Manfredini R, Tagliafico E, Sarti M, Trenti T, Lewis R, Comoli P, Eccher A, Luppi M, Potenza L. .
PLoS One. 2024;19(7):e0306728. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0306728.

Mucorales-Specific T Cells in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies.
Potenza L, Vallerini D, Barozzi P, Riva G, Gilioli A, Forghieri F, Candoni A, Cesaro S, Quadrelli C, Maertens J, Rossi G, Morselli M, Codeluppi M, Mussini C, Colaci E, Messerotti A, Paolini A, Maccaferri M, Fantuzzi V, Del Giovane C, Stefani A, Morandi U, Maffei R, Marasca R, Narni F, Fanin R, Comoli P, Romani L, Beauvais A, Viale PL, Latgè JP, Lewis RE, Luppi M.
PLoS One. 2016;11(2):e0149108. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0149108.

Characterization of specific immune responses to different Aspergillus antigens during the course of invasive aspergillosis in hematologic patients.
Potenza L, Vallerini D, Barozzi P, Riva G, Forghieri F, Beauvais A, Beau R, Candoni A, Maertens J, Rossi G, Morselli M, Zanetti E, Quadrelli C, Codeluppi M, Guaraldi G, Pagano L, Caira M, Del Giovane C, Maccaferri M, Stefani A, Morandi U, Tazzioli G, Girardis M, Delia M, Specchia G, Longo G, Marasca R, Narni F, Merli F, Imovilli A, Apolone G, Carvalho A, Comoli P, Romani L, Latgè JP, Luppi M.
PLoS One. 2013;8(9):e74326. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074326.

Mucorales-specific T cells emerge in the course of invasive mucormycosis and may be used as a surrogate diagnostic marker in high-risk patients.
Potenza L, Vallerini D, Barozzi P, Riva G, Forghieri F, Zanetti E, Quadrelli C, Candoni A, Maertens J, Rossi G, Morselli M, Codeluppi M, Paolini A, Maccaferri M, Del Giovane C, D'Amico R, Rumpianesi F, Pecorari M, Cavalleri F, Marasca R, Narni F, Luppi M.
Blood.2011;118(20):5416-5419. doi:10.1182/blood-2011-07-366526.

Prevalence of Human Herpesvirus-6 Chromosomal Integration (CIHHV-6) in Italian Solid Organ and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Patients.
Potenza L, Barozzi P, Masetti M, Pecorari M, Bresciani P, Gautheret-Dejean A, Riva G, Vallerini D, Tagliazucchi S, Codeluppi M, Di Benedetto F, Gerunda GE, Narni F, Torelli G, Luppi M.
Am J Transplant. 2009;9(7):1690-1697. doi:10.1111/j.1600-6143.2009.02685.x.

HHV-6A in syncytial giant-cell hepatitis.
Potenza L, Luppi M, Barozzi P, Rossi G, Cocchi S, Codeluppi M, Pecorari M, Masetti M, Di Benedetto F, Gennari W, Portolani M, Gerunda GE, Lazzarotto T, Landini MP, Schulz TF, Torelli G, Guaraldi G.
N Engl J Med. 2008;359:593-602.

18. COMPLETED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Development of an Early Palliative Care Model in Hematology (2018–2025)
Conception and development of an Early Palliative Care model within the Hematology Section of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, integrating clinical care, Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), patient-clinician communication, and translational research. This work led to observational and prospective studies on quality of life, Goals of Care, and end-of-life care, providing the scientific foundation for the COMPAC and COPE-PRO research programs and the AI-PRO/AI-DEA project, subsequently funded through the Pfizer Global Medical Grant.

Clinical Research in Hematologic Malignancies and Innovative Therapies (2010–2022)
Coordination of and participation in prospective, multicenter, and translational clinical studies in acute leukemias, multiple myeloma, and innovative therapies, with particular emphasis on the integration of anticancer treatment, quality of care, and supportive care.

Cellular Immunotherapy in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Leukemias (2008–2014)
Coordination of preclinical and clinical studies on BCR-ABL-specific T-cell immunotherapy and immune response monitoring in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. This work contributed to the development of a competitive research project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health – Finalized Research Program – Young Researchers and resulted in publications in Blood and Haematologica.

Immunology of Opportunistic Infections and Immunodiagnostics (2005–2018)
Development of translational research programs investigating immune responses to Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, HHV-6, and other opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients. This work led to the development of novel immunodiagnostic approaches, two industrial invention patents, and publications in New England Journal of Medicine, Blood, American Journal of Transplantation, and Leukemia.

19. INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead of the Early Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic in Hematology, Hematology Unit, University Hospital of Modena.
• Lead of the diagnostic and therapeutic care pathway for patients with acute hematologic malignancies within the Hematology Day Hospital, Hematology Unit, University Hospital of Modena (since November 2010).
• Director of the First Edition of the Second-Level University Master's Program Early and Simultaneous Palliative Care in Onco-Hematology and Internal Medicine: Clinical Care, Communication, and Quality of Life (Academic Years 2023/2024–2024/2025).
• Scientific Lead for clinical research in Early Palliative Care and Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) within the Hematology Unit, coordinating prospective and multicenter research programs focused on quality of life, patient-clinician communication, and the integration of artificial intelligence into supportive care.

20. EXPERTISE AND SKILLS
20.1 Clinical Expertise
Clinical hematology, with particular expertise in acute leukemias, multiple myeloma, innovative therapies, supportive care, Early Palliative Care, symptom management, and Goals of Care conversations.

20.2 Scientific and Methodological Expertise
Design, coordination, and conduct of prospective, retrospective, and multicenter clinical studies; research on Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs), quality of life, patient-clinician communication, coping strategies, end-of-life care, and translational and immunological research.

20.3 Digital Innovation and Research
Application of artificial intelligence to clinical research; multimodal integration of clinical data, PROs, and patient-clinician communication; Natural Language Processing applied to clinical research; development of Precision Early Palliative Care models.

20.4 Organizational and Leadership Skills
Leadership of clinical research programs, management of competitive research grants, development of national and international collaborations, direction of undergraduate and postgraduate educational activities, multidisciplinary coordination, and supervision of early-career researchers.
20.5 Teaching and Communication Skills
Design and delivery of Communication Skills Training programs; undergraduate, postgraduate, and Continuing Medical Education (CME) teaching; and VitalTalk Faculty activities (since 2016) in serious illness communication training.