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ISSNAF 2025 Year in Review

Updated: 1 hour ago

The Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation (ISSNAF) was established in 2007 under the patronage of the Embassy of Italy in the United States. Founded by 36 distinguished Italian scientists and academics—including four Nobel laureates— ISSNAF has grown into the largest network of Italian scientists, scholars and professionals in North America, with more than 3,400 members, affiliates, and students. 


Today, ISSNAF serves as a vital bridge between Italy and the United States and Canada.  Many of our members hold prominent leadership positions and act as ambassadors of Italian excellence abroad, advancing transatlantic partnerships and inspiring emerging researchers and innovators.


Mission 

Our mission is powerful: to connect, empower, and celebrate Italian professionals across all fields of research, scholarship, and innovation.

We advance our mission through:

  • Networking and educational initiatives that bring our community together

  • Mentoring and mobility programs that support academic and professional growth

  • Innovation programs that support the innovation ecosystem in Italy

  • Prestigious awards that recognize established leaders, outstanding early-career researchers, and innovators

Partnerships 

ISSNAF partners with leading institutions and organizations fostering initiatives valuable to Italy and North America.


ISSNAF’s work has long benefited from close collaboration with the Embassy of Italy, the Italian Consular network, and the Italian Cultural Institutes in the USA.


This year saw a significant strengthening of the partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Canada.


2025 Annual Event  

The 2025 ISSNAF Annual Event took place on November 6 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic. The event celebrated the strength and impact of the Italian scientific and scholarly community in North America.


Opening Remarks 

ISSNAF President Cinzia Zuffada opened the event by reaffirming the mission of the Foundation and expressing gratitude to Ambassador Marco Peronaci, newly appointed Chair of the ISSNAF Honorary Board, and to Italian Minister of Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini for their continued support.


Ambassador Peronaci praised Italian research as a catalyst for new joint initiatives between Italy and the United States in cutting-edge science.


Minister Bernini, in a recorded message, highlighted the National Quantum Strategy as a pillar of Italy’s drive to lead globally in this transformative domain.


Focus on Quantum Technologies 

This year’s event spotlighted quantum technologies.


The scientific program began with a keynote talk by Tommaso Calarco, Coordinator of Italy’s National Strategy for Quantum Technologies.


The roundtable explored advances in quantum science and its industrial applications.  It was moderated by Andrea Alù, Einstein and Distinguished Professor at CUNY and ISSNAF Scientific Council Chair, with the participation of leading experts: Anna Grassellino, Director of National Quantum Information Science at Fermilab, Tommaso Macrì, Senior Director of Business  Development at QuEra Computing Inc., Stefano Poletto, Director of Quantum Engineering at Rigetti Computing, Inc., and Massimo Ruzzene, Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Colorado Boulder.


Celebrating Excellence 

The event concluded with the celebratory Awards Ceremony, honoring excellence across multiple fields.


The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pietro De Camilli, John Klingenstein Professor of Neuroscience and Professor of Cell Biology at Yale University, for his pioneering contributions to neuroscience.


The Young Investigator Awards recognized five outstanding early-career researchers:

  • Embassy Award for Research in Quantum Technologies – awarded to Marco Colangelo (Northeastern University)

  • INFN Bruno Touschek Award for Research in Fundamental Physics – awarded to Antonella Palmese (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Mario Gerla Award for Research in Computer Science – awarded to Antonio Loquercio (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Paola Campese Award for Research in Hematologic Malignancies – awarded to Maria Caterina Rotiroti (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)

  • RnB4Culture Award for Innovation in the Study of Italian Culture – awarded to Sara Galli (Dickinson College)


The ISSNAF Innovator Award, established in 2025 honors mid-career Italian researchers and innovators in North America who have demonstrated the exceptional ability to combine scientific excellence with entrepreneurial impact. Its inaugural edition featured the TEF Award for STEM Entrepreneur in the field of Robotics, sponsored by the Tech Europe Foundation (TEF).  Francesco Borrelli, Professor at UC Berkeley and founder of BrightBox Technologies and WideSense, was the recipient of this prestigious award.


We are thankful to the Embassy of Italy, the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), the Gerla Family, the Campese Family, and RnB4Culture for sponsoring the Young Investigator Awards, and to TEF for sponsoring the ISSNAF Innovator Award.


Membership

In 2025, ISSNAF welcomed 300 new members to its network, now counting more than 3,400 Members, Affiliates, and Students.  


Local Chapters  

ISSNAF Local Chapters connect our community and advance the foundation’s mission within their respective geographic areas.  In 2025, ISSNAF continued to expand this network, reaching a total of 12 chapters with the establishment of the Idaho Chapter and the Québec Chapter. 


  • The Idaho Chapter was founded thanks to the vision of Daniele Tonina (Chapter Chair) and Katia Guerra (Chapter Co-Chair) and the strong support from Sergio Strozzi, at the time Consul General in San Francisco. Their leadership is laying the foundation for a dynamic ISSNAF community across the region.

  • The Québec Chapter was brought to life through the commitment of Costanza Conti, Scientific Attaché at the Embassy of Italy to Canada and Chapter Secretary, and the leadership of Federico Galli (Chapter Chair) and Marta Gabriele (Chapter Co-Chair. They work together with the other members of the Executive Committee—Damiano Pasini, Silvia Pozzi, Ilaria Rubino, and Giada Sebastiani—to advance the Chapter’s development. We are very grateful to Ambassador Alessandro Cattaneo for his distinguished support.


Chapters Highlights 

Our Chapters have organized a wide range of networking and educational events, frequently in partnership with the local Italian Consulates and Italian Cultural Institutes (IICs). These partnerships have been instrumental in the success of key initiatives, including the celebration of Italian Research Day in the World and Italian National Space Day, among other prominent outreach and cultural events.


Bay Area Chapter (BAC) 

The Bay Area Chapter now counts more than 250 Members, Affiliates, and Students, working at 200 organizations spanning academia, research institutions, and the business sector such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, LBNL, UCSF, SLAC and Meta.


Key Events:

  • Annual Meeting (Feb 4) — Gathering at the Museo Italo-Americano with the participation of Sergio Strozzi, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco

  • Ora – The Limits of the Planet (Apr 22) — In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, marking the “Giornata della Ricerca Italiana nel Mondo”

  • TARIFFS – International Trade and the Future of the Dollar (May 20) — A webinar fireside chat with Matilde Bombardini (UC Berkeley) and Matteo Maggiori (Stanford University)

  • From Lab Coat to Boardroom: Scientists Who Lead (Jun 23) — In collaboration with INNOVIT; an interactive conference featuring Susanna Rosi (UCSF), Roberto Zoncu (UCB), and Clarissa Ceruti (ISSNAF), and moderated by Romeo Beccherelli (Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco)


CAIF Chapter 

In 2021, the Cultural Association of Italians at Fermilab (CAIF) merged with ISSNAF, becoming the CAIF Chapter.


The Chapter, now counting 20 members, provides cultural activities for the Fermilab community and organizes mobility experiences for outstanding university students at Fermilab and other research centers across the United States.

The Chapter helped coordinate the visit of Chicago Consul General Mario Alberto Bartoli to Fermilab on April 23, 2025.


DMV Chapter (DC, Maryland, Virginia) 

In 2025 the ISSNAF DMV Chapter - now counting more than 280 Members, Affiliates and Students - executed a robust and multifaceted program of activities. A full report of the 2025 activities and the 2026 strategic plan is available at this link.


The year was organized around three main pillars: flagship chapter-wide events, hyper-local activities driven by the newly launched DMV Chapter Ambassadors Program, and a dedicated focus on Science Diplomacy.  A core strength of the year was the diversity and frequency of chapter-wide events, which served as vital platforms for networking, mentorship, and professional visibility.


Key events:

  • Meet your Woman in Science (Feb 13) — In support of the Embassy of Italy; a speed-mentoring event to inspire the next generation of researchers with the participation as speakers of Annamaria Mariotti (NOAA) and Rita Sambruna (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Johns Hopkins Science Diplomacy Summit (Apr 14-15) — High-level convening at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center; Gioia Rau led and chaired the inaugural Space Diplomacy track, convening high level cross-sector leaders to discuss the future of space diplomacy and global space policy

  • ISSNAF DMV Chapter @ Opera (May 31) — In collaboration with the Kennedy Center; a cultural gathering for Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, featuring a private thematic discussion and remarks by Giuliana Zanoni (Washington National Opera), who discussed the opera’s themes and significance

  • We Are All Stardust (Jun 1) — In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Society; public outreach event with the participation of Gioia Rau who guided the audience on a fascinating journey through the cosmos

  • Get to Know the Italian Professionals in the DMV (Sep 25) — In collaboration with COMITES DC; a networking aperitivo at a rooftop bar featuring stories from six Italian professionals, including Ilaria Berteletti (Gallaudet University) and Monica Longo (NIH)

  • Unlock Your Research Potential (Dec 2) — In collaboration with Euraxess;  a webinar showcasing EU-funded mobility and career opportunities within the “Choose Europe” framework

  • ISSNAF DMV Annual Chapter Meeting (Dec 13) — A final gathering at Gallaudet University to reflect on the year’s achievements and present the 2026 plans


The chapter successfully launched the DMV Chapter Ambassadors Program to address geographic sprawl. By activating liaisons at hubs like the NIH, Johns Hopkins, George Mason, and DC Downtown Institutions, the chapter facilitated nearly 10 hyper-local events, including informal lunches and targeted webinars.


Thanks to special invitations from the Embassy of Italy, the chapter's Science Diplomacy program mobilized members to interface with high-level Italian visitors, including the Italian Secretary of State, university rectors, and the President of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), helping to solidify ISSNAF role as a critical bridge between Italy and the United States.


Idaho Chapter 

Established in Fall 2025, the Idaho Chapter brings together 10 Members, Affiliates, and Students, primarily active in engineering, semiconductors, and nuclear energy. Members are distributed across the state, with representation in Idaho Falls, Boise, and Moscow.


The Chapter held its first official meeting in November 2025, with support from Ron Gambassi, Honorary Consul of Italy in Boise, and attended by Massimo Carnelos, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco. This inaugural event also brought together the Chapter with the Italian Club of Boise—an organization active since the 1970s—strengthening ties across generations of the Italian community.


Los Angeles Chapter 

The Los Angeles Chapter counts over 240 Members, Affiliates, and Students, active in academia and research at leading institutions such as UCLA, Caltech, JPL, USC, and UCI.


Key events:

  • Space and Culture: An Italian Perspective (Mar 15) — In collaboration with Chapman University; hosted at the Musco Center for the Arts, the event focused on Italy’s cultural and scientific contributions to space

  • Bridging Worlds: Italians at the Forefront of Science and Space (Oct 17) — In partnership with IAMLA; the event celebrated Italian scientists and engineers shaping the future of space exploration, technology, and science


Minnesota Chapter 

The Minnesota Chapter marked its first anniversary, bringing together over 60 Members, Affiliates, and Students, primarily affiliated with the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic.


On May 6, the Chapter organized “An Evening with Maria Gini” to honor Maria Gini, Distinguished Professor and Distinguished University Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota, recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.  The evening was hosted in collaboration with the Consulate General of Chicago and the University of Minnesota, which graciously provided the venue for this memorable occasion.


New York Chapter 

The New York Chapter counts more than 480 Members, Affiliates, and Students across the Greater New York Area, primarily at institutions such as NYU, Columbia, Cornell, Yale, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.


Key events:

  • Davide Giri Talks – Complex systems: from atoms to people and machine (Apr 29) — In collaboration with AIRIcerca NY and the Consulate General of Italy in New York, this event celebrated Italian science abroad and honored the memory of our colleague Davide Giri, with the participation of Andrea Alù (CUNY)

  • The Courage to Dream: We Are All Stardust (Dec 5) —  In partnership with the Italian Cultural Institute of New York to host the first “episode” of the Dare to Dream Project. The event featured an inspiring conversation with Gioia Rau.


PND Chapter (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware) 

The PND Chapter brings together 210 Members, Affiliates, and Students, primarily affiliated with the region’s leading institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University, and Rutgers University.


Key events:

  • 2025 Compass (Feb 12) — A mentoring event featuring Farnia Fresnel, President of The Lenserf Group

  • Italian Research and Excellence Night (Apr 22) — In partnership with Sofidel SpA; a networking event at the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia

  • Italian Sports Day in the World (Sep 5) — In collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia; a celebratory event with Marco Dri (rowing champion), Stefano Solano (rowing champion), Maria Della Putta Johnson (journalist)

  • Stroke – When the Brain Is Under Attack (May 29) — Co-hosted with the WSC Chapter; a webinar with Domenico Praticò (Temple University) and Eleonora Avenatti (Houston Methodist Hospital)

  • From Bench to Business: Turning Scientific Discoveries into Innovations (Nov 13) — In partnership with the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia; a conference with Alessandra Audia (Immudex), Clarissa Ceruti (ISSNAF), and Nico Frandi (Consul General in Philadelphia)


Québec Chapter 

Established in November 2025, the Québec Chapter brings together more than 50 Members, Affiliates, and Students, primarily active in the arts and humanities, life sciences, and engineering, at leading institutions such as McGill University, Université de Montréal, Concordia University, and École Polytechnique de Montréal.


The establishment of the Chapter was officially announced in early December at the Artificial Intelligence event organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada and the Consulate General. The inaugural meeting of the Chapter’s Executive Committee was held on that occasion.


San Diego Chapter 

The San Diego Chapter connects 80 Members, Affiliates, and Students, involved in research and academia at renowned institutions including UC San Diego, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Scripps Research Institute, San Diego State University, and Johnson & Johnson.


The Chapter has developed a distinctive focus on networking events that blend science and social connection, that combine discussions on research—spanning science and the humanities—with enjoyable culinary experiences.

 

Key events:

  • Science, Communication, and Humanities (Jan 18) — A lecture on the connection between humanities and sciences with Stephanie Jed (UCSD) and Silvia Vincenzi (UCSD)

  • Visit of the University of Bologna Leadership (Apr 26) — A networking opportunity in conjunction with the visit of Rector Giovanni Molari and Vice-Rector for International Relations Raffaella Campaner (University of Bologna)

  • The Art of Gelato and Italian Hip-Hop Culture (Nov 9) — In partnership with San Diego University and GelatoLove; with Clarissa Clò (SDSU) and Paola Richard (GelatoLove)

  • Science Meets Italian Cuisine (Nov 20) — In collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles; the event was held at La Jolla Institute of Immunology and featured Alessandro Sette (LJI), Sonia Sharma (LJI), Jacopo Annese (The Brain Observatory), Chef Pietro Gallo, and Clarissa Ceruti (ISSNAF)


SEUS Chapter (Southeast US) 

The SEUS Chapter unites over 130 Members, Affiliates, and Students, primarily engaged in medicine, neuroscience, and neurobiology, across leading institutions such as the University of Miami, Emory University, Florida Atlantic University, and Florida International University.


Key events:

  • The Neuroscience of Consumer Decision (Apr 22) — Collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Miami and the IIC of Miami; conference for the “Giornata della Ricerca Italiana nel Mondo” with Marco Baldocchi (FIU)

  • SEUS Meet & Greet (Sep 22 and Dec 20) — Connecting the Italian intellectual diaspora in the region


WSC Chapter (West South Central) 

The WSC Chapter brings together nearly 160 Members, Affiliates, and Students, representing a diverse range of fields including Life Sciences, Aerospace, Engineering at renowned institutions such as Baylor University, Texas A&M University, Houston Methodist Research Institute, and the University of Texas at Austin.


Key events:

  • History of Italy (Jan 8) — In collaboration with the COMITES of Houston; with Marco Cappelli (podcaster)

  • Story of Space & Innovation – An Evening with Luca Parmitano (Mar 20) — Highlighting Italy’s contributions to space exploration

  • VIII Giornata della Ricerca Italiana nel Mondo (May 10) — Celebrating Italian research and its global impact at TMC3 Helix Park

  • Stroke – When the Brain Is Under Attack (May 29) — Co-hosted with the PND Chapter; webinar with Domenico Praticò (Temple University) and Eleonora Avenatti (Houston Methodist Hospital)

  • AperiSpeed Networking (Jul 24) — Fostering connections among members in an informal setting

  • Vaccines: Past, Present, and Path Forward (Sep 16) — An open conversation on vaccine awareness at Houston Methodist Hospital with Maria Elena Bottazzi (Baylor College of Medicine) and Peter Hotez (Texas Children’s Hospital)

  • Dietro le Quinte delle Assunzioni (Oct 28) — In collaboration with COMITES of Houston; interactive event on recruitment and career development with Loretta Bersani (Global HR Director), Eleonora Dondossola (GU Medical Oncology Department), and Stefano Milici (MD Anderson Center) 


Innovation Programs 

In 2025, ISSNAF launched the Innovation Programs to support the translation of academic research into innovative products or services in Italy by leveraging the expertise of the ISSNAF network.


The programs were designed and piloted with two partners.


  • Fondazione Marche, a long-time partner of ISSNAF, has established the accelerator AC75 and its program SpinX: From Lab to Market to support startups and university spin-offs in the Marche region.  ISSNAF collaborates with AC75 to assess the technical/scientific merit of the startups’ projects, drawing on expert reviewers and advisors to deliver informed, high‑quality evaluations.

  • Tech Europe Foundation (TEF), established to bridge the gap between academic research and the market, operates the TEF Academic Review Program to identify promising scientific projects to fund. ISSNAF members contribute to this program by providing independent evaluations of PhD and postdoctoral project applications.


Mentoring Programs  

The Young ISSNAF Mentoring Programs  provide invaluable guidance to early-career ISSNAF members seeking career development support, and university students exploring educational and professional opportunities in North America.


Through personalized guidance, our experienced mentors offer insights, advice, and practical strategies to help mentees navigate educational paths and build successful careers.

The Testimonials gallery features mentees reflecting on their experiences and showcasing the program’s transformative impact.


Mentoring for Early-Career Members 

In 2025, ISSNAF expanded its Early-Career Member Mentoring Program by introducing a continuous open call, allowing young professionals to access mentoring support whenever they need it. This flexible approach ensures timely, personalized guidance tailored to each mentee’s career journey.

ISSNAF mentors supported 16 early-career professionals during the year.


Mentoring for Students  

In 2025, the Student Mentoring Program was restructured to offer two separate calls to better align it with university academic calendars and broaden participation. This change resulted in 68 mentees, marking a significant increase compared to the previous years.


Additionally, 6 mentees participated through the dedicated Collegio Ghislieri mentoring call, an initiative offered annually since 2021.


Mobility Programs 

In 2025 ISSNAF continued to strengthen and expand its Mobility Programs. Over the last three cycles, these programs have enabled 43 Master's and PhD students to undertake research stays at universities and laboratories in North America, hosted by ISSNAF members who generously made their expertise and facilities available.  


These mobility opportunities have provided outstanding research and training environments, fostering international academic collaboration and professional development.


Participants’ accounts highlighting the program’s impact on their thesis or doctoral research can be found in the Testimonials gallery.


Three mobility calls were opened in collaboration with leading Italian institutions: Politecnico di Torino, Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati Sapienza—open to all PhD candidates at Sapienza Università di Roma, thereby extending participation beyond the School itself-, and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna di Pisa.


Looking ahead, additional calls are planned for early 2026, including new rounds with Università di Pisa and Politecnico di Torino, reflecting continued demand and institutional commitment to the program.


From an institutional perspective, 2025 marked a significant strengthening of ISSNAF’s university partnerships. The agreement with the Università di Pisa was renewed, while new cooperation agreements were signed with Scuola Galileiana di Studi Superiori (Padova), Scuola Normale Superiore (Pisa), and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa).


On May 14, ISSNAF brought together a wide audience of representatives from Italian universities at an event held at Scuola Superiore di Studi Avanzati Sapienza with the participation and support of the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI). The meeting served as an important platform to present the results, impact, and future objectives of the ISSNAF Mobility Programs, and played a crucial role in fostering new institutional collaborations.


Leadership 

Appointments 

  • Clarissa Ceruti has been appointed Executive Director. In this role, she oversees the Foundation’s operations and strategic initiatives

  • The ISSNAF Scientific Council elected Andrea Alù, Einstein and Distinguished Professor at CUNY, as its new Chair 


Board Transitions

Alberto Salleo and Marcello Romano have completed their five-year tenure on the ISSNAF Board of Directors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for their dedication, leadership, and impactful contributions.


Thank You to Our Volunteers 

ISSNAF is deeply appreciative of the invaluable work of our volunteers whose dedication and commitment are essential to the success of our mission.


Our volunteers embody the spirit of collaboration and generosity that defines ISSNAF, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions, whether supporting Chapter activities, overseeing the ISSNAF Awards, or helping implement our programs across North America.


Visit the Volunteer Opportunities page to learn how you can help.


Support ISSNAF - Donate Today 

ISSNAF depends on the generous support of its members and friends to sustain its program, as there is no membership fee to join.  


We are very grateful to our donors, whose contributions make it possible to deliver and grow our programs.


Every gift—of any size—truly makes a difference. Thank you for standing with us and for believing in the importance of our work.



You can choose how your donation is allocated to support the areas that matter the most to you.


ISSNAF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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