Dr Mirella Spalluto is a respiratory researcher at the University of Southampton and NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. Her work focuses on the development and application of human 3D lung organoid models to study infection, inflammation, and tissue responses in a physiologically relevant context.

She integrates epithelial–mesenchymal co-culture systems with advanced imaging and molecular profiling to investigate host–pathogen interactions and mechanisms relevant to diseases such as COPD and asthma.

Dr Spalluto leads the SoCRATES platform, coordinating access to human tissue and driving collaborative, translational research across academic and clinical partners. Through this role, she supports the development of human-relevant model systems that bridge fundamental biology and clinical application.