Fondazione Telethon Appoints Graciana Diez-Roux as New Scientific Director
Key Insights
Fondazione Telethon has named Graciana Diez-Roux as its new Scientific Director to lead research strategy for rare genetic diseases (search).
Diez-Roux brings over two decades of experience at TIGEM (search) and has coordinated European projects worth approximately €70 million focused on rare disease therapies.
She emphasizes investing in young researchers and fostering collaborative, impact-oriented environments to accelerate translation of discoveries into clinical applications.
Fondazione Telethon has appointed Graciana Diez-Roux as its new Scientific Director, the organization announced, placing an experienced biomedical research leader at the helm of its scientific activities. Diez-Roux, who brings extensive expertise in biomedical research management and the coordination of high-impact international collaborative projects, will be responsible for further strengthening the Foundation's role as a leading organization in rare genetic disease research.
In her new position, Diez-Roux will define the organization's research investment priorities, oversee the quality and integrity of scientific evaluation processes, and guide the strategic integration between intramural and extramural research. The overarching goal, according to the Foundation, is to maximize the impact of funded activities for people living with rare genetic diseases (search).
A Deep-Rooted Connection to the Foundation
Diez-Roux possesses a deep understanding of Fondazione Telethon and the Italian research system. Since 2003, she has held positions of increasing responsibility at the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM (search)) in Pozzuoli, where she contributed to the development of the institute's scientific strategy and to the establishment of its Scientific Office.
During her career, she has coordinated numerous European projects with a total value of approximately €70 million, promoting international consortia dedicated to the development of new therapies for rare diseases, including lysosomal and retinal disorders (search). She has also managed major strategic industrial alliances with biotech and pharmaceutical companies, helping strengthen the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications.
Commitment to the Next Generation
A central pillar of Diez-Roux's vision is the cultivation of emerging scientific talent. "Investing in the next generation of scientists is essential," said Diez-Roux. "Fondazione Telethon must continue to create new training and career opportunities for young talent and foster an open, collaborative and impact-oriented research environment. The organization must increasingly become a partner and a resource for researchers, in a spirit of collaboration and service toward the scientific community."
A Vision for Integrated, Patient-Centered Research
With an international background spanning the University of Buenos Aires and New York University, Diez-Roux has developed a vision of research strongly focused on the integration of scientific excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the creation of ecosystems that foster innovation.
"Fondazione Telethon represents a unique model in the biomedical research landscape because of its ability to support excellent research while always keeping patients' needs at the center," Diez-Roux stated. "In this new role, I hope to further strengthen dialogue and collaboration within the scientific community, enhance the expertise distributed across the Foundation's network and create the best possible conditions for innovative, high-impact research."
Her appointment signals continuity in the Foundation's mission while positioning it to expand its translational capabilities and deepen its engagement with the broader scientific community, all with the aim of delivering meaningful therapeutic advances to patients affected by rare genetic conditions.