November 2019 after years of hard work, lot of grants and publications, participating in any committee I was offered to, I finally got promoted to Harvard professor. An achievement that, growing up in a small Tuscan town, I would have never dreamed of. I have a background in physics, but I have become a hardwareContinue reading “Back to work”
Author Archives: marifra12
Figli di Dardano
Interview by Albano Ricci, for a local newspaper
Yeah, is my birthday!
Yeah, today is my 56th birthday!!! I got one more year since my diagnosis, and every year is worth a big celebration! I feel healthy, no pain, no visible cancer, happy to be here. Hoping not to jinx myself, I wish to celebrate many more birthdays. Last year was so different. We were in lockdown andContinue reading “Yeah, is my birthday!”
February 28
On February 28, 2020, I had my lung surgery. It was scheduled for early morning and I went to Mass General with my whole family. Luckily, this was few days before the start of all the Covid-19 visitors’ restrictions. Even my brother, who had arrived from Italy two days before, was able to come withContinue reading “February 28”
The golf ball
One year ago today, I received a death sentence. The week before, in San Francisco, I came down with the flu. David and Alex had had it the week before and I kind of expected to get it. It hit me harder than it did them, with headaches and muscle pain and a lot ofContinue reading “The golf ball”
Le chiavi della citta’
Cortona, Italy, March 9 2019 In the hall of the City Council, surrounded by family and friends, the Mayor of Cortona Francesca Basanieri delivered the “Key to the City” to Maria Angela Franceschini “Friend, fellow citizen, exemplary model of commitment and professionalism for all women. Ambassador of Cortona in the world. With affection and gratitude.”Continue reading “Le chiavi della citta’”
3. NIRS @ CCHU
The CCHU is such a great place, an organized oasis in this underdeveloped country. It is a good example of how things should work in this region. Current doctors and staff are all from Uganda. In addition, visiting doctors from all over the world come here to be trained. Some facts: Opened: 2000 Specialty: Neurosurgery Annual patientContinue reading “3. NIRS @ CCHU”
2. The road to Mbale
For someone that has never been to Africa like me, the road to Mbale is a memorable drive. I was glued to the window all the way for the 6+ hour trip. There was so much to take in, so much to learn. I took so many pictures and learned many things about Uganda along the way. TheContinue reading “2. The road to Mbale”
1. Near Infrared Spectroscopy research in Africa
Ivy Lin, Jason Sutin and I went to the Cure Children’s Hospital of Uganda (CCHU) to study how hydrocephalus and restorative surgery affect blood flow and oxygen metabolism in the brain using our cutting-edge NIRS technology. In this blog we collect our travel memoirs, our photos and stories told to us by Ben Warf, Charles Howard, Steve Shiff,Continue reading “1. Near Infrared Spectroscopy research in Africa”