Clara Balsano (born May 15, 1963, in Palermo, Italy) is a Full Professor of Internal Medicine and the Director of the School of Specialization in Emergency and Urgent Medicine at the University of L'Aquila, Department of Life, Health, Environmental Sciences.

She is the Head of the Geriatrics Department at the SS. Filippo and Nicolo Hospital in Avezzano.

As a co-founder and President of the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Group on Artificial Intelligence (I.B.M.A.I.), she has been a leading figure in the integration of artificial intelligence in biomedical research.

Balsano also serves as President of the Scientific Technical Council of the Francesco Balsano Foundation.

Clara Balsano developed an early passion for medicine, inspired by her father, Francesco Balsano, a renowned academic and medical professional. She graduated cum laude in Medicine and Surgery from Sapienza University of Rome in 1987. Following her graduation, she pursued specialization in Internal Medicine and began her academic career.

Early Career

In 1993, she secured a position as Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of L'Aquila, where she took on significant teaching responsibilities across multiple disciplines, including Medicine, Odontology, Biotechnology, and Nursing.

Current Positions

In 2006, Balsano became a Full Professor of Internal Medicine and was subsequently appointed Director of the School of Specialization in Emergency and Urgent Medicine at the University of L'Aquila. Following the devastating earthquake in L'Aquila in 2009, she played a pivotal role in the reconstruction efforts of the university's facilities as a member of the MIUR-appointed task force.

She has held numerous leadership roles, including:

• Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM) at the National Research Council (CNR) (2017–2021).
• Coordinator of various multicentric research studies under the Italian Emergency Medicine Schools (ITEMS).
• Director of Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratories at the University of L'Aquila.

Currently she is the Chief of the Geriatrics Department at the SS. Filippo and Nicolo Hospital in Avezzano. Since 2022, she established a specialized outpatient service for the management of chronic liver disease patients at the Avezzano hospital.

Clara Balsano’s research has been groundbreaking in the fields of hepatology, virology, immunology, and artificial intelligence in medicine. Her significant contributions include:

Early Research

• Studying the immune response to hepatitis B and C infections and exploring autoimmune mechanisms in chronic liver diseases.
• Investigating the impact of viral infections on cellular mechanisms such as apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle regulation.

Recent Research

• Leveraging machine learning and deep learning techniques to develop diagnostic models for early detection of liver pathologies.
• Applying AI for the classification of hepatic pathologies using radiological and histological imaging data.
• Assessing the therapeutic potential of natural compounds for treating metabolic syndromes.
• Exploring the molecular basis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), particularly the progression from NAFLD to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Multicentric Studies

As President of the scientific and technical advice of ITEMS, she has coordinated several innovative projects, such as:

• PreDEA: Prevention strategies in emergency departments.
• Development of digital flashcards for emergency physicians.

Selected Publications

Balsano has authored over 120 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Her work has been instrumental in bridging basic research with clinical applications, advancing the diagnosis and treatment of chronic liver diseases.

Leadership and Honors

Balsano is a recognized leader in her field, holding prominent positions such as:

• Member of the National Plan for the Prevention of Hepatitis B and C (PNEV) since 2017.
• Delegate for the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) for the Abruzzo region.
• Technical-scientific expert for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (2014–2019).
• Visiting professor at the University of Leicester's Medical Research Council Unit (2017).

• Pavoncella Award for Female Creativity in 2016 for her commitment to scientific research in the fields of biotechnology, nutrition, and genetics.

• Sapio Award for Women's Health and Research.

International Collaborations

Her international collaborations span several countries and institutions, including:

• University of Leicester, UK.
• Ministry of Research, Egypt.
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
• Georgetown University, USA.
• Université Paris Descartes, France.

Clara Balsano’s career reflects her dedication to advancing medical science and education. Her work continues to inspire students and professionals globally, particularly in the integration of AI in clinical practice.