Professor Leonardo Guasti

Profile

Leo is Professor of Experimental Endocrinology and Deputy Centre Lead at the William Harvey Research Institute’s Centre for Endocrinology. He graduated from the University of Florence (BSc Biological Sciences, MRes Pathophysiology) and went on to complete a PhD in Clinical and Experimental Oncology at the same institution, during which he was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Fellowship to conduct part of his research at the University of Tulsa (USA). At QMUL, he started investigating signalling pathways controlling adrenal cortex development and disease. He became a Lecturer in 2012, Senior Lecturer in 2015, Reader in 2019, and Professor in 2022. Leo is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and, amongst his many teaching commitments, is Module Lead for “Endocrine Physiology and Biochemistry” and in the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences.

Research

We study the fundamental biology of the adrenal gland, focusing on the mechanisms of adrenal cortex physiology, self-renewal, and remodelling, and how their dysregulation drives adrenal disease.

To address these questions, we are developing patient-derived normal and disease organoids and reprogrammed cells as innovative models to capture adrenal physiology and pathology. These platforms complement transgenic animal models and enable mechanistic studies of adrenal growth and tumorigenesis in a controlled, human-relevant context.

In parallel, we are advancing translational strategies, including the development of targeted antibodies and the discovery of circulating biomarkers to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring od adrenal diseases.

Ultimately, our goal is to translate discoveries in adrenal physiology and tumour biology into novel diagnostic tools and more effective, personalised therapies for patients with adrenal insufficiency and adrenal cancer.

Publications

• Follows AM, Bennett G, Phillips N et al. (publicationYear). A Role for Non-Muscle Myosin IIA in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.117.op3.1

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Asif K, Altieri B, Pittaway J et al. (publicationYear). Sphingosine kinase 2 (SPHK2) inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.117.oc2.4

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Fumagalli C, Vetere G, Pini G et al. (2026). Phenotypes of vulnerability and prognosis in older adults with cardiovascular disease. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwag100

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Mariniello K, Pittaway JFH, Altieri B et al. (2025). Cover Image, Volume 45, Issue 6. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1002/cac2.12561

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Read J, Delli V, Dunkel L et al. (publicationYear). Defective Nitric oxide pathway signalling - a link between premature birth and altered mini-puberty?. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.110.p919

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/107298
• Mariniello K, Pittaway JFH, Altieri B et al. (2025). Dlk1 is a novel adrenocortical stem/progenitor cell marker that predicts malignancy in adrenocortical carcinoma. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1002/cac2.70012

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/105329
• d'Aniello F, Mariniello K, Al Sayed Y et al. (2026). The Role of DLK1 Deficiency in Central Precocious Puberty and Association with Metabolic Dysregulation. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1159/000541554

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/100739
• Gualtieri A, Gomez-Corral L, Nicholson J et al. (2024). 12408 Efnb2 Controls Pituitary Gland Development By Regulating Proliferation Of Pituitary Stem Cells. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae163.1202

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Gualtieri A, Gomez-Corral L, Nicholson J et al. (publicationYear). Efnb2 controls pituitary development by regulating the pituitary stem cell niche. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.102.25

  
  

  QMRO: qmroHref
• Ruiz-Babot G, Eceiza A, Abollo-Jiménez F et al. (2023). Generation of glucocorticoid-producing cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells. nameOfConference

  
  

  DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100627

  
  

  QMRO: https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/116320

Collaborators

Internal (Adrenal theme)

• Prof Lou Metherell (WHRI)
• Prof Li Chan (WHRI)
• Dr Gabor Czibik (WHRI)
• Prof Will Drake (WHRI)
• Prof Jane Sosabowski (BCI)
• Prof Ahuva Nissim (WHRI)

Internal (Biology of pubertal timing theme)

• Dr Sahsa Howard (WHRI)

External (Adrenal theme)

• Prof Michaela Luconi (Florence)
• Dr Barbara Altieri (Wuerzburg/Parma)
• Prof David Breault (Boston)
• Prof Martin Fassnacht (Wuerzburg)
• Prof Celso Gomez-Sanchez (University of Mississippi, USA)
  
  

Teaching

• Module lead for BMD311 “Endocrinology Physiology and Biochemistry”, School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, QMUL.
• SSC4 supervisor