Barbara attained her undergraduate degree from the University of Bologna in 2003, followed by the completion of her PhD in Veterinary Anatomical Pathology in 2007 at the same institution. Her doctoral thesis focused on feline pulmonary tumours and mesotheliomas. Achieving the status of ECVP Diplomate in 2010, Barbara simultaneously pursued a Specialization Diploma in Public Health during the same year.
Between 2007 and 2010, Barbara served as a Pathologist in a private laboratory in Italy. Subsequently, she transitioned to the role of Senior Lecturer of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Melbourne in Australia, holding this position from 2010 to 2015. From 2015 to 2018, she continued her academic journey as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology at the University of Surrey in the UK.
Since 2018, Barbara has held the position of Associate Professor of Veterinary Pathology at the University of Bologna in Italy. Her research focus spans small animal and equine oncologic pathology, with a particular emphasis on Papillomavirus-induced tumours. Additionally, Barbara is actively involved in exploring the applications of artificial intelligence in pathology.