Dr. Emanuele Pecora is the Associate Director at the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) at George Mason University. A physicist by training, his expertise lies at the intersection of scientific research, technology transfer, and innovation policy.
Previously, Dr. Pecora served at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he managed portfolios exceeding $350 million and designed federal funding mechanisms to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies. His work focuses on aligning national laboratories, academia, and the private sector to foster economic growth.
In addition, Dr. Pecora is the Chair of the DMV Chapter of the Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF) and the Licensee for TEDxCatania. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics and is an alumnus of the Scuola Superiore di Catania.

Luca Reali is a PhD candidate in Physics at Johns Hopkins University specializing in gravitational-wave astronomy, a fast-evolving field transforming our understanding of the Universe. His research lies at the intersection of data analysis and astrophysics, where he develops innovative methods to explore astrophysical phenomena using gravitational-wave signals. Luca plays a key role in planning next-generation gravitational-wave observatories, which will shape the field’s trajectory for years to come. He holds a BSc and MSc in Physics from the University of Milan, and collaborates with international teams across the US and Europe.

Vittoria is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Vaccine Research Center at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, where she works on developing innovative vaccine and antibody-based strategies to tackle antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and strengthen pandemic preparedness. She has a strong interest in multidisciplinary and international collaboration and has experience in advancing collaborative research projects from early concepts to impactful outcomes. Motivated by the connection between scientific research, public health, and policy, she strongly values collaboration, open exchange of ideas, and international networks as essential foundations for addressing global health challenges.

Stefano Lami is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at the Superconducting Quantum Materials & Systems (SQMS) Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
A former Science Counselor at the Embassy of Italy in Washington D.C. (2013-21), Dr. Lami’s interests are focused on facilitating international scientific and innovative research collaboration, increasing researcher mobility, and developing research coordination mechanism.
A particle physicist by training, and with decades of experience in science diplomacy and policy, and project management in international organizations, Dr. Lami has participated in numbers of international collaborative projects, including Fermilab, as has served as co-spokesperson at the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. He authored and co-authored 600+ scientific publications in peer-reviewed international journals and has been a member of several international scientific committees.

Giuliana Zanoni, originally from the province of Varese, earned a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Communication from the University of Eastern Piedmont "Amedeo Avogadro", a Master's in Performance from the "Guido Cantelli" Conservatory in Novara, a Master of Arts in Performance from the Conservatory of Italian Switzerland, and a Master's in Performing Arts Management from the Polimi Business School and the Academy of La Scala Theatre.
After a highly formative experience as assistant to the General Manager and Artistic Director Dominique Meyer at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, she moved to the United States, where she continued her career in the performing arts by working at the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as Senior Manager of Artistic Planning and Operations.
Her arrival in the United States sparked a particular interest in organizing and promoting social and networking events among Italians in the DMV area, eventually leading her to become the first Ambassador for Italian Women USA in Washington, D.C.