Dr Spirli graduated in Biological Sciences at the University of Padova in 1995. He received his Ph.D at the University of Parma in 2000. He did his post-doc training at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the University of Padova from 2000 to 2004. Currently, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine at Yale University. The main focus of his research is the pathophysiology and therapy of diseases of the biliary tree (also called cholangiopathies). This is a large group of chronic liver diseases, congenital or acquired, that causes significant morbility and mortality in both the adult and pediatric population. Among them, his specific interest is in polycystic liver disease. Dr. Spirli is author and co-author of more than thirty peer reviewed publications.

The main focus of Dr. Spirli's research is the pathophysiology and therapy of diseases of the biliary tree (also called cholangiopathies). This is a large group of chronic liver diseases, congenital or acquired, that causes significant morbility and mortality in both the adult and pediatric population. The pathogenesis of biliary tree diseases is still elusive and, contrary to other areas of hepatology, effective treatment is still lacking. Previous work of our laboratory has contributed to the understanding of the normal physiology of biliary cells and to the identification of prototypic mechanisms for biliary damage for which a model human cholangiopathy exists. Among them, the lab is now addressing the pathophysiology and treatment of Cystic Fibrosis cholangiopathy, polycystic liver disease and Alagille syndrome.