Dr Spalla studied veterinary medicine at the University of Milan and attended her last university year at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) as an Erasmus exchange student.
She received her veterinary degree from the University of Milan in 2010. She then enrolled in a one year internship program at the Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, with Dr Claudio Bussadori as supervisor. She was offered a PhD in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the University of Milan, focused on advanced echocardiography and was awarded her PhD in 2014. She started an ACVIM residency at the Royal Veterinary College in London in London in 2015. She obtained board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2018 and European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology) in 2019. She also successfully completed a Master degree in Veterinary Medicine (MVetMed) by the University of London in 2018. She is currently working in a private specialty practice in Italy, whilst keeping awake her interest for clinical investigation as well as providing telemedicine support. When she is not working, Ilaria enjoys spending time with her family and friends, her two black cats Kina and Edvige. She loves travelling and immerse herself in different cultures, hiking, swimming and yoga practicing.