Cristina is a PhD Candidate in the Department of International Relations in the Coral Bell School of Asia and Pacific Affairs at The Australian National University. Her research expertise includes humanitarian crises, international responses to armed conflicts and mass atrocities, in particular peacekeeping operations conducted by international and regional bodies.

Prior to joining ANU, Cristina earned her bachelor's degree in Translation Studies summa cum laude from the University of Genova, and a master's degree in International Cooperation summa cum laude from the University of Torino.

Professionally, she worked with the Italian NGO Comitato Collaborazione Medica (CCM) in Eastern Tigray, Ethiopia, and covered the Central Asian Region for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Cristina's doctoral thesis examines the peacekeeping practices of regional organizations, in particular the ECOWAS.