Dr. Stefano Comai (Phar D, PhD.) is Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the San Raffaele Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy, and project leader in the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit (Head Prof. Flavia Valtorta), San Raffaele Institute, Milan, Italy. He accomplished his Ph D in Pharmaceutical Sciences from University of Padova, Italy, and he spent 7 years of postdoctoral training at the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, under the mentorship of Dr. Gabriella Gobbi. In addition, he is recipient of the “2015 New Investigator Award” by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (ASCP), and member of the Early Career Committee of ASCP. Scientifically, he is interested in understanding the role of tryptophan metabolism via serotonin and melatonin but also kynurenine in brain functioning, and subsequently, to determine the extent to which these systems are involved in the etiology and treatment of mental disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, insomnia, and aggressive behavior. Of interest, he is trying to elucidate the selective role of the two melatonin receptors, MT1 and MT2, in brain functioning with the aim to develop novel and selective psychoactive drugs. To reach this goal, he is following a translational approach. He is author of many scientific publications in highly prestigious journals in the field of neuropsychopharmacology and of numerous presentations at international conferences.

Neuropsychopharmacology; Mental disorders; Serotonin; Melatonin; Behavioral pharmacology; in-vivo electrophysiology; Biomarkers, Drug discovery.