We regret to inform readers of the sudden passing of Professor Maurizio Fermeglia, Professor of Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Architecture, and former Rector of the University of Trieste. He sadly passed away yesterday, 25th February, due to an unexpected illness while hiking in Val Rosandra.

Maurizio Fermeglia, who would have turned 69 in October, will universally be remembered as an exceptional and talented individual, who excelled and made a significant impact not only across a range of fields in academia but also in all areas into which he ventured.

Having graduated in Chemical Engineering from the University of Trieste in 1979, he conducted research at the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, from 1980 to 1981. He subsequently returned to UniTS in 1983 as a researcher, eventually becoming an associate professor in 1992 and a full professor in 2002.

In addition to serving as Rector from 2013 to 2019, Professor Fermeglia held numerous managerial roles at the University of Trieste, including Head of Department and Director of the Doctoral School in Nanotechnologies. He also held various roles at a national level, including, most recently, as the National Coordinator of the Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering Group and as the President of the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) Committee for selections in his academic area.

His scientific activity was both prolific and varied, with over 250 articles published in peer-reviewed international journals, over 200 presentations at international events (including dozens of invited, plenary, and keynote lectures), and the management of numerous national and European projects as a principal investigator. His research areas included experimental studies on phase diagrams and transport properties, theoretical studies on thermodynamic aspects of chemical engineering as well as process engineering, nanomaterials research, and database and computer network studies. Over the last two decades, he contributed to the development of multiscale molecular modelling with his work and vision. In recent years, he focused on Life Cycle Assessment, introducing the innovative idea of integrating and improving the data required for this technique using computer modelling.

His entire scientific career was inspired and permeated by sustainability issues, particularly focusing on the sustainability of processes and systems in the field of energy transition. In addition to his research activities, he served as a consultant to the United Nations agencies UNIDO and UNEP.

Professor Fermeglia was a passionate and highly esteemed lecturer in various chemical engineering courses, contributing to the education of several generations of professionals and consistently advocating for the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to education to tackle the challenges awaiting humanity in the future. He also engaged in extensive and highly regarded scientific communication and outreach activities, primarily in the field of sustainability, with dozens of talks, seminars, and conferences delivered to the general public, which were always characterised by his originality and vision. In 2010, he founded the Summer School on Energy, later dedicated to his ‘hero’ Giacomo Ciamician, the Trieste chemist who theorised harnessing the power of the sun for sustainable development in the early twentieth century.

Regarding these topics especially, Maurizio Fermeglia was very active on various fronts of civic engagement, including his role as regional delegate of WWF, driven by the idea of using his academic expertise for the benefit of the community.

Professor Fermeglia passed away while hiking in Val Rosandra. For him, being a native of Trieste, he was as at home in his ‘Valley’ as he was in the mountains. Outside of academia, he had a great passion for mountains and the spirit and discipline associated with them. Mountain activities often permeated his academic life. He was an alpinist, ski mountaineer and a member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) as well as being an instructor in these disciplines and participating in various mountaineering expeditions within Europe and beyond. He was also the head of the Alpine Rescue Service’s Trieste station, once again demonstrating his motivation and drive to selflessly offer his skills and knowledge for the service of others. In the profound loss felt by those who knew him, this is perhaps the most important lesson we can draw from Professor Fermeglia’s character and professional legacy.

Professor Fermeglia's departure while on that trail has left a significant void not only within the academic community but also beyond. The University community wishes to extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to Maurizio’s wife, son and daughter.