Dino's Italian heritage all but ensured a wine and farming way of life, through it wasn't his only calling, at least initially. Prior to officially getting into the "grape game" in 1997, Dino studied at the University of Genoa where he uncorked a passion for the scientific aspects of medicine, which led him first to Switzerland and then the U.S. for his work with virus and infectious disease. With some "serendipity and luck" (Dino's words) his move to the West Coast coincided with the region's biotechnology boom. Turns out the yeast used in biotechnology is the same type used in wine fermentation. A wine country way of life planted its seeds.
Medicine not only shaped a lifelong career but also fostered a flourishing relationship between Dino and his wife, Corry Dekker. Corry Dekker, who leads vaccine clinical research at Stanford University, specializes in vaccine safety and frequently serves as an advisor to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At Stanford, she oversees vaccine trials and regularly conducts adult lecture series and discussions within her field.
The couple first connected over their shared interest in biotechnologies while working at Chiron, each making significant strides in their respective areas. With a background in pediatrics, Corry has earned the title of "The Queen of Flu Vaccines," as Dino affectionately describes her. She has collaborated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in response to national emergencies and has worked across a range of disease areas, including smallpox, malaria, and the recent H1N1 outbreak. Her team is dedicated to keeping the public informed about disease prevention.
