Wei Garofolo

Wei Garofolo, BEng, MBA is the meeting planner & coordinator at CFABS, and operational coordinator at GCC. Bringing professionals together whenever possible!

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Ever wonder why Americans love Italy so much? There are SO many reasons. Here are a few of my top picks. 

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How fashion brands are supporting Italy right now

Perfume factories making hand sanitiser and luxury fashion lines producing medical masks.

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Sicily to subsidise post-Covid holidays as Italy ponders reopening to tourists

Offer may include three-nights-for-price-of-two deal on accommodation in Sicily

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Travel To Italy With A New Book By Frances Mayes

In her new book "Frances Mayes Always Italy," Frances Mayes, the bestselling author of "Under The Tuscan Sun," takes on all of Italy's 20 regions.

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10 of the best novels set in Italy – that will take you there

Elena Ferrante’s Naples, Umberto Eco’s medieval mysteries, EM Forster’s Tuscany … Italy comes alive through these great books

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It's Time To Build...With Biology

Marc Andreessen recently wrote an essay entitled “It’s Time To Build.” He's right, and biology is the building platform for California and the rest of the world in the 21st century.

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The human body is a wonder of nature. Comprised of trillions of cells, they work together as a  system to keep you alive and healthy. As wonderful as that is, the body is hardly a perfect system and is susceptible to disease and ailments. Scientists are looking for new ways to maintain and improve health, and this is where the microbiome and engineered probiotics come in.

A vast number of microbes inhabit your body alongside human cells, and these microbes are key in maintaining your health. These microbes are referred to as your microbiome and aid in functions ranging from digestion to strengthening the immune system. Scientists estimate that the average human body has about as many non-human cells as human cells. These microbes can be found both inside and outside of your body in your mouth, your digestive tract, and your skin.

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How Engineered Probiotics Can Revolutionize Health

The human body is a wonder of nature. Comprised of trillions of cells, they work together as a  system to keep you alive and healthy. As wonderful as that is, the body is hardly a perfect system and is susceptible to disease and ailments. Scientists are looking for new ways to maintain and improve health, and this is where the microbiome and engineered probiotics come in. 

A vast number of microbes inhabit your body alongside human cells, and these microbes are key in maintaining your health. These microbes are referred to as your microbiome and aid in functions ranging from digestion to strengthening the immune system. Scientists estimate that the average human body has about as many non-human cells as human cells. These microbes can be found both inside and outside of your body in your mouth, your digestive tract, and your skin.  

Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria and yeasts that are especially good for your gut, and these can be used to supplement your microbiome. You have likely encountered probiotics before in fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and notably, yogurt, and while it’s not entirely clear why they work, it has led researchers to find ways of designing microbes that bring probiotics to a whole new level. Instead of affecting the whole body, advances in biotechnology are seeking to create microbes that target specific tissues and avoid preventable side effects. 

Several companies are doing exactly that by using synthetic biology to engineer microbes. Their work uses a combination of computational tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence in conjunction with traditional wetware tools of the laboratory. The goal of synthetic biology is to create “living medicines” that tackle health problems through the microbiome. The world’s first genetically engineered probiotic was developed by Zbiotics and works as a hangover cure. Another company, Synlogic, is developing cancer treatments using living medicines. While we usually think of the digestive system when we talk about the human microbiome, this isn’t the only place where probiotics can work. Microbes that live on the skin can benefit from topical treatments that combat conditions like eczema, and oral health can also benefit from probiotics. 

Given all these possibilities, the future of engineered probiotics is exciting. These developments are only the beginning in the world of biotechnology.

This blog was originally published on WeiGarofolo.wordpress.com.

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Is Genetic Testing Right For You

Genetic testing is becoming widely available to the public now, and you’ve probably already heard of it. Ancestry.com and 23andMe advertise their testing services to inform you of your ancestry. You may have seen information at medical offices for tests that provide information about disease risk or response to medication. With so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? In today’s blog, we’re going to take a look at a few types of DNA tests and some helpful tips before you take them.

First of all, there are tests for diagnostic/clinical use and ones that are not. Tests intended for diagnostic use are requested by a physician and are used to direct a patient’s medical care. The focus of this blog is on genetic tests that are not diagnostic in nature. Of the tests that are not clinical, they tend to fall into two groups: non-health testing and health testing.  Non-health tests include those that provide information about ancestry. Health testing results contain information that may have an impact on a person’s health but is not intended to direct a person’s medical care, though a follow-up clinical genetic test may be ordered if a risk is identified. 

Many of these tests are easy to facilitate: some only require a cheek swab or a saliva sample to be sent into the lab for processing and analysis. Consumers will often receive an email notification when the results are ready and can view them by logging in through the company portal. Some companies offer the opportunity to discuss the results with a genetic professional. 

Non-clinical genetic tests have a number of benefits, but they also come with limitations. It can be beneficial to have a better understanding of your genetics, for they are increasingly being integrated into healthcare, but non-diagnostic tests tend to be less comprehensive than those intended for diagnostic and clinical use. Furthermore, many conditions are impacted by environmental factors in addition to having a genetic component, so knowing a part of your genetic contribution does not necessarily give you an exact risk to developing the said condition. 

Before getting a genetic test, consider what you will do with the information the genetic test results provide. Are you looking to explore your ancestry? Or perhaps get a carrier screening? It is also important to recognize what the product does, and does not, test for. Bear in mind that the test will not be 100% accurate or reliable. An often overlooked consideration is privacy: find out what the company does about your data and how they provide your test results.

With all the potential of genetics in modern healthcare, it can be desirable to try these DNA tests. Be sure to do your research before partaking in these tests and keep these considerations in mind even after you’ve decided to go through with it. 

This article was originally published on WeiGarofolo.wordpress.com

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The Difference Between Biotech and Pharma

If you’re new to biotech, you might wonder what the difference is between the biotechnology industry and the pharmaceutical industry. Both industries produce medicine, so it’s natural that they wou…

Wei Garofolo describes the differences between biotech and pharma. 

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What Makes Italian Cuisine Unique

We all know that Italian cuisine is exceptional in the world of food, but what is it that makes it so unique? “Italian food” is found around the world, but authentic Italian food is unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere. Here are some of the reasons that Italian food is so highly revered:

Simple, healthy ingredients

Italian recipes generally have short lists of ingredients. The dishes are simple but delightful. The belief is that simple foods are the best. The ingredients are also mostly fresh and healthy. Italian dishes rarely include processed foods. Some of the healthy ingredients usually incorporated are olive oil as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. They also stick to using produce that is in season.

High-quality standards

Italians are incredibly picky about their food, so they have understandably high standards for the quality of ingredients that they use. Since quality is considered more important than quantity, most Italians who operate on a budget would likely still choose to cook with fewer high-quality ingredients rather than more lower quality ingredients.

Local and fresh

When you eat authentic Italian cuisine, you’re almost always eating local food. Italians use “heavily seasonal” ingredients that are fresh and from nearby. You’ll even find fresh food in the quick service restaurants attached to gas stations!

The local aspect of Italian cuisine also means that dishes vary from town to town. You won’t find the same kind of food in the mainland as you do when you’re visiting along the coast, for example.

Herbs and spices

Italian dishes use lots of herbs and spices. Some of the popular ones that you’ll find in most Italian dishes are parsley, rosemary, bay leaves, oregano, basil, and sage. These ingredients majorly contribute to the Italian cuisine flavor that we all know and love.

Pairings

Another unique aspect of Italian cuisine is how they pair it. Often, you’ll find dishes paired with opposite flavors— for example, bitter and sweet paired together or sweet with sour. There is also a wine to pair with nearly every Italian dish or course.

Tradition

Arguably, the best part about Italian cuisine is the tradition behind it. In other countries, you may see people rushing and eating on the go, but this isn’t a part of Italian culture. The tradition in Italy is to slow down, relax, enjoy your food,  and connect with people.

As a central part of Italian culture, food is part of who they are. Eating in Italy frequently means getting together with family and friends around a table, sharing good times, drinking wine, and making new memories.

This article was originally posted on weigarofolo.wordpress.com.

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How Has Italian Culture Influenced American Culture?

The US is a melting pot of influence. Throughout the culture, you can find marks from around the world. Italian culture, in particular though, has helped to shape America as we know it today. Brief…

Wei Garofolo explains how Italian culture has influenced American culture.

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Is a Career in Biotech Right for You?

Choosing a career can be the most difficult decision we make in our lives. Although some people seem to know from childhood what they want to do, others struggle through college and beyond. Here are some things to know about the biotechnology field that will help you decide if a career in biotech is right for you:

Biotech is an ever-changing field.

Science, in general, is ever-changing, so if you work in biotech, you need to be flexible and ready to roll with the changes that come your way. You’ll work with different people, you’ll need to learn new procedures, and you may even change where you work throughout your career. If you don’t mind changes year after year, you’ll have a better chance of enjoying biotech.

You’ll do better in biotech if you’re team-oriented.

You might imagine your life in biotech in a lab, working by yourself all day. But the truth is that many projects in biotech require teamwork, including operations, production, marketing, and R&D. If you work well with others, you’re more likely to excel in a career in biotech.

Biotech requires multitasking.

A career in biotech requires multitasking. You’ll often be working on more than one project at a time and trying to balance it all. It can be fun and challenging, but it can also be stressful if you’re someone who prefers to focus on one thing at a time. If you’re someone who loves to do a lot at one time, however, biotech might be perfect for you.

Biotech requires you to learn quickly and handle setbacks.

Biotech is a fast-paced industry that requires much learning and adaptation. You’ll need to learn quickly, and most likely you’ll be teaching yourself. You’ll also need to be resilient and effectively handle setbacks, such as having a project terminated. This can happen for numerous reasons, including business decisions, technical issues, or scientific reasons. If you can handle these types of setbacks and not allow them to shake you, you’re more likely to succeed in biotech.

Careers in biotech often come with pressure.

A career in biotech will often come with pressure because large amounts of money (sometimes even millions of dollars) will depend on the results of your work. You’ll also have deadlines and expectations from marketing teams. So, if the idea of pressure terrifies you, biotech is probably not the right fit.

Only you can decide if a career in biotech is right for you. Consider your personal strengths, as well as your likes and dislikes.  Do you prefer a consistent work environment with less pressure and changes? If you do, you’ve probably already realized that biotech isn’t for you.

Or do you love the idea of a challenge? Can you learn quickly, handle pressure, work with others and effectively multitask? If you can answer yes to these questions, biotech be perfect for you.

This article originally appeared on weigarofolo.wordpress.com.

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Wei Garofolo describes the Battle of the Oranges

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Wei Garofolo describes two types of Biotechnology

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Wei Garofolo describes the Healthcare Provider and Device Manufacturer relationship

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Ivrea Carnevale (The Battle of the Oranges)

This blog was originally posted to WeiGarofolo.wordpress.com!

The Battle of the Oranges takes place during the annual Ivrea Carnevale in Italy, Portugal and other regions. The combat begins on the first Sunday of February or March and lasts for three days. The battle is reminiscent of a medieval protest initiated by villagers.

History of the Battle

There are differing reports as to how the tradition began. One theory involves the local tyrant throwing pots of beans from his balcony to the villagers below as an act of charity. However, in protest, the villagers threw the beans back at him feeling the act was miserly.

Another story involves a local mandate by feudal lords to have the right to bed women shortly before or after they are wed. Legend has it that one particular maiden, who was a miller’s daughter, was forced into a lord’s castle so that he might enforce his rights. However, she decapitated the lord. Her act of defiance triggered a town riot that included throwing rocks, stones and any number of items at the royal residence to demolish the structure.

Current Customs

From the early days, the event took on many forms. Some community maidens stood on balconies and threw confetti, flowers and oranges down to young men in order to attract their attention. Joking verbal exchanges occurred.

However, the custom evolved into a regular battle that initially involved throwing beans, then apples, and progressed to throwing oranges. The event often begins with selecting a few young woman to represent the maiden. Communities typically create nine teams of people on foot who represent the revolting villagers. The event may feature thousands of participants. Some locations then have horse-drawn carriages carrying feudal armies parade through the streets. In protest, the mock soldiers are pummeled with oranges.

The battle might also include teams on foot throwing the fruits at one another. In town squares, teams might be divided by those on foot against those in carts who represent the army. The battle ensues as the teams pummel each other.

Communities that commemorate the battle do not take the event lightly and often go to great expense to carry on the tradition. In southern Italy, oranges are not native to the area. As such, reportedly in 1994, approximately 584,000 pounds of oranges were imported into cities from Sicily in order to celebrate the infamous battle.