I have been working as a professional translator since 2000 and have always had an interest in medicines development and clinical research. I have a thorough understanding of this area after following numerous courses, attending conferences, and completing a Master’s Degree in Regulatory Disciplines and Drug Policy at the Unitelma Sapienza University in Rome (2016).

More recently, however, I have developed an interest in the field of rare diseases and orphan drugs, and therefore decided to attend the Rare Diseases Season School in 2017/18, organised by the Italian Federation of Rare Diseases (Uniamo F.I.R.M.). This has allowed me to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of topics such as patient empowerment, the rare diseases network, the legislation framework in Italy and Europe, orphan drugs, ERNs, ePAGs, PDTAs and HTA, biobanks and registries, and the relevance of bioethical considerations.

Complexity and change are the key challenges we are facing today as individuals and even more as translators.

How can we successfully deal with these challenges?

According to me, this can be achieved by continuously learning and by actively interacting and exchanging views with different professionals from one’s field of interest.

This is why I regularly attend conferences and seminars in the field of clinical research and rare diseases, where I can meet with experts.

Reality can be better grasped if looked at from different perspectives.

This is why being a EUPATI Patient Expert and a patient advocate on top of a translator is an added value in my daily work