"Humans arrive where love arrives; they have no boundaries except those we set for them." Italo Calvino said this. And these words resonate with the personal and professional journey of Marta Zuddas, who is deaf, but with a determination and willpower that have helped her overcome all obstacles. To the point of becoming, last November, the first deaf biologist in Italy. She works at the San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, in the Pathological Anatomy department headed by Professor Daniela Fanni. There's an emblematic image: Marta signing the employment contract with the Cagliari University Hospital, the image of happiness. Yet, her studies weren't easy: "I had to make up for what I wasn't hearing in class. I had to study multiple textbooks to be on par with the others and even more."

The degree – The qualifications earned with great tenacity: a degree in Biological Sciences, specializing in virology and microbiology. Plus, a European-level master's degree in health emergencies such as earthquakes and biological warfare. Occasionally, difficulties arose, often in the form of prejudice: "The school process was straightforward. The teachers were quite attentive, and apart from a few small incidents, everything went well. At university, I encountered sensitive professors, but also some unpleasant situations. One teacher didn't want me to graduate because she thought it was essential for me to have a tutor. She said, 'A person like you absolutely needs a tutor.' I replied, 'I have five exams left, in your opinion, I need one.' It was a heated discussion; I threw my transcript at her, 'Tell me if I need support.' Then I resolved everything with another professor."

Parental support – Internship at Binaghi, first as a graduate student and then as a volunteer. She began working in a private laboratory and, at the same time, devoted herself to her specialization studies. "My parents and my sister," she says, "were my true support, always offering help. There were times when I said, 'I can't do this,' and they encouraged me not to give up, to keep going." Very clear ideas, unwavering optimism: "Many people would never have bet on me, on my ability to get to the end. All of this gave me a great drive to prove to myself that I could do it. I approached the AOU exam with great serenity. I was full of positive energy, and when I learned I'd passed, I wanted to take the world by storm. At San Giovanni di Dio, I examine Pap smears. At first, I was sceptical. I said to myself, 'I'm a biologist. What can I do?' I immediately felt at ease." The welcome was wonderful. I started from scratch. I feel great. It's an environment I like and the relationships with my colleagues are excellent." At her side, during the most important moments, was always Luciana Ledda, an interpreter of Italian Sign Language, a friend and guardian angel.