I am Nikita Camilleri, a Maltese doctoral researcher within the MSCA SECRET Doctoral Network. I am enrolled at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) in Rome under the supervision of Prof. Ornella Parolini and joined the programme in March 2025 as Doctoral Candidate 1.

My PhD focuses on the in vitro characterisation of perinatal cell secretomes and extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the amniotic membrane, umbilical cord (Wharton’s Jelly), and amniotic fluid, and their immunomodulatory effects on the innate immune system. The first phase of my work will take place at CREM – Fondazione Poliambulanza in Brescia, focusing on cell isolation, secretome production, and functional immune assays. The second phase will be carried out at UCSC in Rome and will involve omics analyses to explore underlying mechanisms.

I hold a BSc and MSc in Applied Biomedical Science from the University of Malta. During my BSc, I studied the genetics of osteoporosis and later worked as a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist at Malta’s National Hospital, gaining hands-on experience in molecular diagnostic techniques for infectious diseases. Alongside this role, I completed my MSc, investigating globin gene switching in haemoglobin disorders using a multi-omic approach. This formative research experience deepened my interest in translational science and stem cell research. Together with my motivation to gain exposure to new research environments and to work collaboratively within an international setting, this led me to pursue a PhD abroad.

Being part of the SECRET Network allows me to build on my interests in stem cell biology, immunology, and translational science, while developing valuable technical and research skills in an international and interdisciplinary setting. Through this project, I will gain a deeper understanding of perinatal cell secretomes and their potential role in regenerative medicine. My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of innovative cell-free therapeutic strategies and to build a career in biomedical research that bridges laboratory science with clinical application.