I obtained my BA in Zoology and MRes in Physiopathological methods from the University of Milan, Italy, where I investigated mechanisms of fluid transport across mammalian epithelia. I did my PhD in Physiology working between the University of Milan and the Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, under the supervision of Prof. SC Hebert, in the Renal Division of the Brigham and Women's Hospital. There, in 1993 we identified the first G protein-coupled receptor for an ion, calcium. The paper describing the cloning of the Calcium-S ensing Receptor, CaSR, from parathyroid glands is now a "citation classic" with >2,000 citations. While in Prof Hebert lab, I was awarded a Research Fellowship from the National Kidney Foundation to identify the renal CaSR. The parathyroid and kidney CaR are the target for a novel class of small molecule drugs, the calcimimetics, which were developed for the treatment of chronic kidney disease. In 2004, calcimimetics were the first G protein-coupled receptor allosteric modulators to enter the market and in 2014 calcimimetics were within the top 100 most sold drugs. In 1997, I moved to the UK where I established my independent research group at Manchester University and in 2004 I moved to Cardiff University as a Reader, then Professor (2012) within the School of Biosciences. Currently my group is actively pursuing the development of CaSR-based therapeutics for the treatment of lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis. I have retired in 2021 and currently hold the position of Professor Emerita.