Giornata della Ricerca Italia nel Mondo 2025: all ISSNAF Chapter initiatives!

April 15th, Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, marks the Giornata della Ricerca Italiana nel Mondo (Italian Research Day in the World), an annual global celebration by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. This day honors the achievements of Italian researchers worldwide and strengthens ties between Italy and its diaspora.

ISSNAF Chapters, in partnership with Italian consulates, cultural institutes, and academic communities, organized events that highlighted innovation, collaboration, and the global impact of Italian science.

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SEUS Chapter: Building Bridges in Florida

On April 22nd, Dr. Benedict C. Albensi, Chair of the ISSNAF Southeast US Chapter, attended an insightful lecture on “Neuroscience of Consumer Decisions: Emotion, Cognition and Choice” at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Coral Gables, Florida. During the event, Dr. Albensi had the opportunity to meet the new Consul General of Italy in Miami, Michele Mistò. Together, they explored exciting opportunities for collaboration between ISSNAF, the Italian Cultural Institute, and other Italian organizations throughout Florida. Reflecting on the chapter’s journey since its inauguration three years ago, Dr. Albensi expressed enthusiasm for upcoming initiatives aimed at highlighting the excellence of Italian research and innovation in the Southeast US region. This engagement underscores ISSNAF SEUS Chapter’s commitment to strengthening scientific ties within the Italian community in Florida.

PND Chapter: Italian Research and Excellence Night Brings Community Together

On April 25th, 2025, the ISSNAF PND Chapter organized the Italian Research and Excellence Night at the new Italian Consulate location in Philadelphia, in the presence of Consul General Cristiana Mele and in collaboration with SOFIDEL. The event was a resounding success, thanks to enthusiastic community participation and strong partner support.

Speakers Fabio Vitali, Bruno Calabretta, Mariangela Bernardi, and Luca Cottini delivered inspiring talks across diverse fields—business, biomedical research, astrophysics, and Italian innovation—engaging an attentive audience and reflecting the strength of Italian talent in the region. The event celebrated the vibrant and diverse contributions of Italians in research and industry, and expressed gratitude to all attendees and partners, with plans already underway for future editions.

Los Angeles Chapter: Celebrating Italian Women in STEM and Scientific Leadership

On may 1st, ISSNAF Los Angeles Chapter organized The 2025 Italian Research Day in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute. The event focused on honoring Italian scientists abroad, especially women in STEM.

A distinguished panel featured three ISSNAF Young Investigator Award recipients—Dr. Sofia Fatigoni (Caltech), Prof. Elisa Franco (UCLA), and Dr. Alba Grifoni (La Jolla Institute). Moderated by immunologist Prof. Alessandro Sette, the discussion explored interdisciplinary research, international collaborations, and the rising leadership of women in science. A highlight was the presentation of the Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana to Prof. Sette by the Consul General of Italy, recognizing his pioneering work in T cell immunology and vaccine development. The evening celebrated Italy’s commitment to its scientific community abroad and the power of science to transcend borders.

Minnesota Chapter: Honoring Robotics and AI Pioneer Professor Maria Gini

On May 6th, the ISSNAF Minnesota Chapter proudly celebrated Professor Maria Gini of the University of Minnesota, recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. A pioneer in robotics, AI, and multi-agent systems, Prof. Gini’s leadership and mentorship continue to inspire generations of researchers.

The event was supported by the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago and the University of Minnesota’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Opening remarks were delivered by Prof. Marcello Alecci, Science Attaché at the Italian Consulate in Chicago.

The Minnesota Chapter leadership team—Silvia Balbo (Chair), Maria Razzoli (Co-Chair), Martina Cardone, Mattia Fazzini, Silvia Mangia, and Sandra Gengler—led outreach and organization efforts to honor Prof. Gini’s impactful career.

WSC Chapter: A One-Day Conference Showcasing Emerging Italian Research

On May 10th, 2025, ISSNAF WSC Chapter, with Comites Houston, represented by its president Salvatore Saieva, and the Italian Consulate General, held a one-day conference at TMC3-Helix Park in Houston. The event showcased research from graduate students, postdocs, and faculty across various disciplines.

Opening remarks by Dr. Eleonora Dondossola (ISSNAF-WSC co-chair), Consul General Mauro Lorenzini, and On. Christian Di Sanzo highlighted strong institutional support.

Two “Insights from Italy” sessions featured remote talks by Italian research leaders, fostering transatlantic partnerships. The “Spotlight on Emerging Investigators” showcased innovative work in genomics, engineering, Alzheimer’s, and aerospace by young investigators from top Texas institutions.

A poster session with 52 presenters spanned life sciences, AI, mathematics, and more. The competition honored Giorgio Allegri, a beloved ISSNAF member who passed away, with winners Giuseppe Spallitta (Rice), Elisa Serafini (Houston Methodist), and Ludovica La Posta (MD Anderson).

The final session, “Advancing Science: Perspectives from the Experts,” gathered senior scientists to discuss future challenges and opportunities.

Supported by ISSNAF-WSC, Comites Houston, and the Italian Consulate, the event reflected a strong collaborative spirit and the growing impact of Italian scientific excellence in Texas.

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The 2025 Giornata della Ricerca Italiana nel Mondo was a rich tapestry of events across the U.S., celebrating Italian research, innovation, and mentorship. From Los Angeles to Philadelphia, Houston to Minnesota, and now Florida, ISSNAF’s chapters showcased extraordinary talent and strengthened international scientific collaborations, embodying the enduring spirit of Italian excellence on the world stage.