A total of 66 active researchers affiliated with UniTS are featured in the latest annual edition of the “World’s Top 2% Scientists” ranking, compiled by Stanford University in collaboration with the Elsevier publishing company. The ranking, which covers approximately 9 million scholars included in the Scopus database in 2025, identifies the most highly cited researchers worldwide across 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields, according to the standard Science-Metrix classification. In addition to these researchers, the ranking also includes contributions from emeritus and retired colleagues.

The following is a list of currently active UniTS researchers featured in the ranking for the single-year 2025 and/or career-long impact categories, grouped by department (researchers ranked among the top 100,000 worldwide are shown in bold):

DF: Angelo Bassi, Fabio Benatti, Stefano Borgani, Pierre Thibault

DEAMS: Giuseppe Borruso

DSV: Alberta Bergamo, Marco del Giudice, Andrea Nardini, Monia Renzi, Lucia Muggia, Maria Chiara Passolunghi, Alessandro Tossi, Mauro Tretiach, Aurelia Tubaro

DIA: Fulvio Babich, Sylvio Barbon Junior, Chiara Bedon, Alois Bonifacio, Gabriele Bulian, Alberto Carini, Natalino Gattesco, Massimiliano Gei, Mario Grassi, Vanni Lughi, Alessandro Massi Pavan, Thomas Parisini, Gianni Pedrizzetti, Sabrina Pricl, Valter Sergo, Giorgio Sulligoi, Alberto Tessarolo

DISPES: Mattia Zulianello

DSCF: Enzo Alessio, Massimiliano Pio Di Cagno, Paolo Fornasiero, Silvia Marchesan, Michele Melchionna, Tiziano Montini, Federico Rosei

DSM: Rocco Barazzoni, Michele Bertolotto, Gianni Biolo, Paolo Boscolo Rizzo, Milena Cadenaro, Luca Cegolon, Marco Confalonieri, Adamo Pio D'Adamo, Mario D'Oria, Stefano di Bella, Giacomo Emmi, Paolo Gasparini, Mauro Giuffrè, Daniele Generali, Valerio Iebba, Francesca Larese Filon, Paolo Manganotti, Marco Merlo, Giuseppe Ricci, Barbara Ruaro, Gianfranco Sinagra, Giancarlo Tirelli, Iris Zalaudek

MiGe: Luca Bortolussi, Alberto D’Onofrio, Stefano Parolai, Alex Rodríguez

Among the emeritus professors, honorary professors, and researchers affiliated with UniTS who are included in the ranking are Giovanni Alessandrini, Massimo Bovenzi, Francesca Matteucci, Giuliano Panza, Fulvio Parmigiani, Maurizio Prato, and Gianni Sava.

“While it is important to remember that this is a purely bibliometric ranking,” comments Paolo Fornasiero, Vice-Rector for Research, “and that it should be regarded as a statistical tool rather than an absolute measure of scientific merit, I can only congratulate our colleagues in bibliometric research fields who feature among the world’s most influential scholars and who, through this recognition as well, help showcase the high quality of the research conducted at our University.”

The University of Trieste is among the 84 Italian centres of excellence selected for “Technological Humanism: Italian Excellence in Artificial Intelligence”, a volume produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and scientifically curated by AIRI – the Italian Association for Industrial Research.

The volume brings together experiences from universities, research centres, companies and startups, highlighting Italy’s role in developing Artificial Intelligence solutions for research and industry.

At UniTS, the contribution stems from the Naval Engineering Degree Programme, thanks to its collaboration with Fincantieri. The volume features a case study on the integration of computer vision systems and Artificial Intelligence algorithms for the inspection and assessment of welds in shipyards. The aim is to systematically monitor welded joints and collect structured information to support defect analysis, contributing to innovation in inspection processes.

Alongside this project, the volume also features SIPEOM, a spin-off of the University of Trieste established to develop advanced digital tools for shipping companies. Its solutions support fleet operating cost management and forecasting, financial planning and decision-making, helping to reduce the financial risks associated with changes in international environmental regulations.

The volume will be distributed internationally through the network of Italian Embassies, Consulates and Italian Cultural Institutes, with the aim of promoting Italian expertise and excellence in research, innovation and Artificial Intelligence abroad. The project will also be presented at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico, as part of the 2026 edition, in which Italy is the Guest of Honour.

In the photo: Luca Braidotti, Serena Bertagna and Vittorio Bucci, lecturers in the Naval Engineering degree programmes and co-founders of SIPEOM.

The rain did not stop the excitement of the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge, organised by CUS Trieste in collaboration with the University of Trieste, CUS Venezia and the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, with the support of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The third edition of the challenge between dragon boats — boats featuring a dragon’s head and tail — saw all four participating CUS teams take to the water: Bari, Padua, Trieste and Udine. Each crew consisted of eight female rowers and eight male rowers, plus a drummer setting the pace of the strokes.

On the 180-metre race course, laid out between the beginning of the Molo Audace and the breakwater of the Porto Vecchio, the home team, CUS Trieste, took centre stage, dominating the round-robin qualifying stage with three wins from three races. In the final standings, CUS Bari finished second, securing a place in the final thanks to its head-to-head victory over CUS Padua, which finished third in the group. CUS Udine finished fourth without a win.

After a short break, the two finals were held, with the three podium places at stake. In the third-place playoff, CUS Padua defeated CUS Udine to take third place. In the final for first and second place, CUS Trieste left no chance for CUS Bari, taking control of the race from the very first strokes and crossing the finish line with arms raised in celebration ahead of the team from Puglia.

“Seeing so many young people from different universities rowing together is a tangible demonstration of the strength and beauty of university sport,” said Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste. “Sport teaches us that no important achievement can be reached alone: it requires trust, listening, commitment and the ability to put our energy at the service of the team. These are values that are also deeply rooted in university life, and this event expresses them particularly effectively. The Barcolana Dragon Boat Challenge is an opportunity for competition, but above all for meeting, friendship and sharing, bringing students and different universities together through a common language.”

“Now in its third edition,” added Michele Pipan, President of CUS Trieste, “the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge has once again proved to be a celebration that our entire university community feels particularly connected to. The participants have the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of the Barcolana from the front row and to bring onto the water the idea of a community without barriers.”

UniTS at the Barcolana Village

Until 11 October, UniTS will be present at the Barcolana Village in Piazza della Borsa with its stand, themed “From the Deep Sea to Space”, which will host a series of free talks covering topics ranging from the depths of the sea to the surface, from the Earth to the atmosphere and into orbit.

Up to 156,600 workers will need to be recruited by 2029 in the transport, logistics and warehousing services sector, while the market is already struggling to find the necessary skills. This was the picture that emerged at the Italian Chamber of Deputies during the event “Logistics: Growing Demand for Labour, but Skills Are Lacking”, which focused on the mismatch between labour demand and supply and on the need to develop training pathways that are more closely aligned with companies’ needs. The meeting also featured the presentation of the University of Trieste’s Advanced Training Course in Logistics Management, developed with the aim of training professionals capable of responding to the transformation of the sector and strengthening the links between universities, businesses and institutions.

According to Unioncamere-Excelsior (the report Forecasts of Employment and Professional Needs in Italy in the Medium Term (2025–2029), produced by the Excelsior Information System, Unioncamere and the Italian Ministry of Labour), more than 90% of the projected employment needs in the sector are related to staff replacement. Furthermore, in the professional fields of logistics, transport and vehicle repair, against a demand for between 13,600 and 14,900 workers per year, the supply amounts to approximately 6,600 young people. The skills required are also changing. Seventy-five per cent of warehouse managers sought by companies are required to have digital skills, while 74% of planned hires in logistics services concern green jobs. Digitalisation, sustainability, data management and the integration of different transport systems are therefore reshaping logistics professions. This issue is particularly relevant to the blue economy as well. According to SRM (Italian Maritime Economy Report 2026), Italian ports handle 511 million tonnes of goods, while Italy ranks first in Europe in short-sea shipping, with 304 million tonnes transported, equivalent to 15.6% of the European market.

“Logistics is not just about infrastructure and technology, but above all about human capital. To attract the best talent and enhance the value of those already working in the sector, we need a comprehensive training model: solid university programmes, short and targeted upskilling opportunities, and a strong focus on transversal skills. The growth of the sector inevitably depends on the quality and continuity of training at every level,” said Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste.

It is precisely from the need to bring education and training closer to the concrete requirements of the labour market that the University of Trieste’s new programme was created.

“Fully aware of this context, the University of Trieste has included the Advanced Training Course ‘Logistics Management – Law, Finance and Business Management’ in its educational offering. The programme consists of 120 hours of classroom-based training divided between legal topics and economic subjects related to transport and logistics. It is aimed both at students — recent graduates and final-year students — and at those who, although they do not hold a university degree, are already working in the sector. The classes will not only have a theoretical focus, but will also be strongly practice-oriented, and the programme has been developed together with partner companies to ensure that it is as closely aligned as possible with the type of training required by the labour market. Alongside the 120-hour core programme, optional specialised modules will be offered in collaboration with the private-sector companies participating in the initiative,” said Massimo Campailla, Director of the University Advanced Training Course in “Logistics Management”.

Dialogue with businesses becomes even more important in a sector where not only the skills required of workers are changing, but also the risks they must address. An increasingly interconnected and technology-driven supply chain exposes companies to new complexities, from goods handling and business continuity to challenges related to infrastructure, sustainability and emerging technologies.

“Logistics is much more than the transportation of goods: it is a strategic factor in companies’ competitiveness. To address the challenges of the future, we need skills, prevention and a strong risk culture. Insurance is a fundamental tool, but true value comes from the quality of people and organisations,” added Claudio Chiti, Commercial Specialty Director, Marine, at Howden S.p.A.

In this context, the insurance sector does not merely provide risk coverage; it can also contribute to risk prevention by offering specialised expertise, knowledge of processes and the ability to identify vulnerabilities throughout the entire logistics chain.

“Insurance policies transfer risk; skills reduce it. That is why investing in people is the first form of prevention and the best guarantee of safer, more competitive and more attractive logistics,” said Giorgio Beretti, Technical Specialty Director, Marine, at Howden S.p.A.

However, the ability to build appropriate skills requires ongoing dialogue between those responsible for training professionals and those who work in the sector every day. This highlights the importance of cooperation between universities and businesses.

“Investing in skills is a strategic pillar for the development of logistics. In this context, public-private synergy is the key to creating truly effective training pathways, as demonstrated by the Advanced Training Course in Logistics Management promoted by the University of Trieste,” said Fabrizio Ossani, General Manager of Gruppo Federtrasporti.

Such cooperation must also be accompanied by an evolution in business models, which are increasingly required to combine competitiveness, quality of work and the ability to attract new professionals.

“The logistics sector in Italy accounts for 9% of GDP, and it is possible to run a business based on ethics, transparency and social responsibility without sacrificing efficiency and competitiveness. When it comes to attracting and retaining talent, companies are called upon to build a reliable and responsible transport network based on respect for the rules, worker protection and the enhancement of the entire supply chain,” said Luca Ceccarelli, President of Ceccarelli Group.

The ability to attract people, help them develop and retain them over time is now one of the key challenges facing logistics companies.

“Corporate welfare is now a fundamental lever for the future of logistics, which will also depend on companies’ ability to recognise and develop people and their skills. The best skills are those we are able to develop, but above all those we can help grow and retain over time through tools such as welfare programmes capable of fostering employee loyalty,” said Francesca Tabacco, Senior Client Manager at Howden S.p.A.

A new clue could help reconstruct the layout of one of the most important residential complexes in ancient Aquileia. This is what has emerged from the 2026 excavation campaign conducted under a ministerial archaeological concession by the Department of Humanities of the University of Trieste at the House of the Dancing Putti, one of the city’s largest and most luxurious Late Antique residences.

The investigations led to the identification of what appears to be the perimeter enclosure wall of the Ritter-Zàhony House, a structure discovered in the 1930s by Giovanni Brusin and subsequently reburied. At present, this remains a hypothesis that will need to be verified during future excavation campaigns, but it could shed light on the relationship between the earlier dwellings and the large residence built from the mid-4th century AD onwards.

Research by the University of Trieste, which began more than twenty years ago under a concession from the Ministry of Culture, through the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for Friuli Venezia Giulia, in collaboration with Fondazione Aquileia, has gradually revealed a residence of exceptional dimensions. The evidence currently available makes it possible to estimate its extent at approximately 10,000 square metres.

The monumental scale of the House and the richness of its decorative features – from mosaics and wall paintings to the extensive use of marble and the discovery of a precious dichroic glass diatretum, decorated using a highly refined technique reproducing a “net” pattern – point to an exceptionally high-status patron.

One of the main objectives of the 2024–2026 campaigns has been to reconstruct the organisation of the insula before and after the construction of the House of the Dancing Putti and to identify its various building phases.

This research framework also includes an important recent rediscovery, funded by Fondazione Aquileia under the scientific direction of the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for Friuli Venezia Giulia. At the end of 2025, the “Floral Carpet” mosaic was uncovered again in the area adjacent to the Cassis estate archaeological site and the House of the Dancing Putti. Its dating to the 4th century AD appears to support the hypothesis of a possible connection with the same patron who commissioned the House.

This year’s excavation campaign by the University of Trieste involved 15 students, including two from the University of Rijeka, with which UniTS has maintained a long-standing collaboration. The excavation site provides an important training opportunity for students, postgraduate students and PhD candidates, who are able to engage directly with the methods and tools of archaeological research.

“It was a demanding experience, but ultimately fully rewarding, thanks to the curiosity that drove every strike of the pickaxe and the excitement of standing before a reality that had remained hidden for such a long time,” comments Irene Padova, a Classics student at UniTS who took part in the excavation campaign.

Eighteen years after the first study, the follow-up phase of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Genetic Park project is getting underway. The initiative will involve the communities of Erto e Casso, Sauris, San Martino del Carso, Resia, Illegio and Clauzetto. Activities will begin in Sauris on October 12, followed by Illegio in November, San Martino del Carso in January, and subsequently the other municipalities involved.

The project was established to investigate the genetic and environmental factors underlying diseases and complex traits. In its first edition, it involved more than 2,200 people across the six areas. Thanks to the data collected, researchers have been able to carry out numerous studies over the years, resulting in the publication of more than 60 scientific papers in prestigious journals and the establishment of collaborations with major international consortia.

The follow-up further strengthens the collaboration between IRCCS Burlo Garofolo and the University of Trieste, with the valuable support of the Casali Foundations and BeneficentiaStiftung. The initiative also involves numerous young medical residents and researchers, who will contribute to research activities, data collection and engagement with local communities.

The meetings will provide an important opportunity to share the results achieved, collect new information and maintain an ongoing dialogue with local populations. The direct involvement of citizens will make it possible to further explore aspects related to the history, culture and genetic characteristics of residents in each area. The follow-up will also allow researchers to update the data collected, assess the project's evolution and strengthen collaboration among researchers, local authorities and residents.

“Returning to the communities involved after so many years is an essential step in ensuring continuity for the project and giving back to local communities the value of the information collected,” the project promoters emphasize. “Citizen participation remains at the heart of this initiative.”

The full schedule of events and information on how to participate will be announced through the official channels of the local authorities involved.

A fascinating and still little-known discipline, a spectacular setting, an afternoon of thrilling challenges, and the value of teamwork growing with every stroke.

Following the great success of the first two editions (2024 and 2025), the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge returns on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, as part of the 58th edition of Barcolana. The event is organised by CUS Trieste in collaboration with the University of Trieste, CUS Venezia, and the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, with the support of the Regional Council of Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., the 180-metre race course set between the Trieste waterfront (Molo Audace) and the Old Port Breakwater will come alive with head-to-head races between the dragon-shaped boats — the famous Dragon Boats — representing the four participating CUS clubs: Bari, Padua, Trieste and Udine.

“The Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge,” said Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste, “will once again be an important opportunity for our community. Through CUS Trieste, our students will be able to experience sport, competition and social interaction, putting into practice the values of collaboration, inclusion and teamwork. This race will bring UniTS ‘onto the water’. From October 8, meanwhile, the University will welcome visitors to its stand in Piazza della Borsa, ‘From the Deep Sea to Space – A Journey Through Innovation in Extreme Environments’, with a series of events combining sport and scientific research.”

“Now in its third edition,” added Michele Pipan, President of CUS Trieste, “the Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge has become a celebration that the university community feels is truly its own: an opportunity to experience Barcolana as protagonists and to bring onto the water the idea of a community without barriers, where everyone works together and the opponent is a friend who helps us grow. This year, the challenge has a special significance: there are eight months to go before the 2027 Italian University Championships, which in May will bring thousands of athletes from universities across Italy to our region, competing in a wide range of disciplines, including water sports. It is a major event that we are organising together with our friends and partners at CUS Udine, with the essential support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. This is why we are delighted to renew the Dragon Boat celebration: more than a competition, it is an opportunity to celebrate with the city and with Barcolana guests the values of commitment and cooperation that the University and CUS promote every day.”

“Dragon Boat,” commented Mitja Gialuz, President of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, “has something deeply connected to the spirit of Barcolana: to go fast, the strength of an individual is not enough; you have to find the rhythm of the others. It is a simple gesture, but it tells us a great deal about what it means to be a crew and, ultimately, what ‘Be Barcolana’ means: taking part, challenging yourself and building together something that would not be possible alone. The Barcolana Dragon Boat University Challenge brings all of this to the heart of the event, involving young people and the university community in a spectacular challenge that combines sport, energy and a sense of togetherness. We are delighted to see this experience continue to grow: watching students take to the water, compete and work as a team is one of the most beautiful ways to portray Barcolana as a meeting place, open to different sports and communities.”

The day’s programme

On Wednesday, October 7, the event will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the arrival of the Dragon Boats at Molo 0 in the Old Port, followed by their transfer to the San Giusto Basin (in front of Piazza Unità), where an training session will take place until 1:00 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., the Barcolana InfoPoint in Piazza Unità will host the unmissable Blessing Ceremony of the Dragon Boat Heads, held according to traditional rites and intended to bring good luck, prosperity and protection to the crews and the boats themselves.

From 2:00 p.m., the 180-metre race course between the Trieste waterfront (starting from the tip of Molo Audace) and the Old Port Breakwater will host the races on the water, featuring crews of 16 competitors (8 female rowers and 8 male rowers), plus 1 drummer.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., the Award Ceremony will take place at the InfoPoint in Piazza Unità or, alternatively, at Sala FiloXenia on Riva 3 Novembre.

An important milestone for the Audace Sailing Team, the student team of the University of Trieste: its 2025 project, BAI – Flax Bandit, has officially been included in the ADI Design Index 2026, the annual selection by ADI, the Association for Industrial Design, which showcases excellence in Italian design and innovation.

The project was selected by the ADI Permanent Observatory of Design in the Research for Business category, an award recognizing the best process experiments, new sustainable materials, and methodologies applied to the production sector.

The publication in the ADI Design Index represents the first and fundamental volume of the two-year cycle that identifies the products and research projects eligible to compete for the ADI Compasso d’Oro Award 2028, the world’s oldest and most prestigious award in the field of design. Established in 1954 and managed by ADI since 1956, the Compasso d’Oro celebrates Italian design and manufacturing excellence, contributing to the creation of the Historical Collection, which has been declared a “national asset of cultural interest” by the Italian Ministry of Culture.

“Receiving this recognition is a major achievement for the entire team. It rewards our daily commitment to ‘making research a goal for business’ and to applying advanced research and sustainable materials to the marine industry,” comments former Audace Sailing Team Leader Pietro Miani.

Pictured: Giuseppe D’Orsi, Vice President of the ADI FVG Delegation and coordinator of the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional committee of the ADI Permanent Observatory of Design; former Audace Team Leader Pietro Miani; Simone Taglialatela, designer of the award-winning boat; Arianna Guacci, former Team Secretary General; and Nicla Indrigo, President of the ADI FVG Delegation.

The Court of Assizes of Rome has sentenced three Egyptian agents accused of abducting, torturing and killing Giulio Regeni in Cairo in 2016 to 10 years in prison: Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif and Colonels Uhsam Helmi and Athar Kamel Mohamed.

The fourth defendant, General Tariq Sabir, was acquitted.

UniTS, one of the 76 “Universities for Giulio Regeni” that, throughout the ten-year struggle for justice, has supported the Regeni family in their fight to obtain justice, wishes to echo the words of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella:

“Truth and justice must not be subject to compromise, not only to protect the legitimate expectations of the family members, but also to safeguard the fundamental principles of our constitutional order. Today, these words have been given concrete expression in a judgment issued in the name of the Italian people, which therefore serves as a safeguard for all the Giulios and Giulias of the world.”

“Today’s judgment marks an important step in the long journey towards truth and justice for Giulio Regeni and his family. It is a day that brings with it the awareness that the search for truth must never be abandoned,” emphasizes the Rector of the University of Trieste, Donata Vianelli. “As the University of Trieste, we will continue to remember him and to uphold those values of freedom, research and respect for human rights that underpin our community.”

With deep sorrow, the University of Trieste remembers Professor Franco Cucchi, an esteemed lecturer and researcher who devoted his long and distinguished academic career to the study of geomorphology and applied geology, with a particular and passionate focus on karst phenomena and processes.

After graduating in Geology in 1972, Franco Cucchi began his scientific research career, first as a scholarship holder and contract researcher and, from 1981, as a researcher at the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences of the University of Trieste. In 1988, he became Associate Professor at the Institute of Geography and Oceanography of the University of Messina, before returning to Trieste in 1991, where from 2002 he served as Full Professor in the scientific-disciplinary field GEO/04 – Physical Geography and Geomorphology.

Throughout his scientific career, he devoted particular attention to the study of karst phenomena, a field of research he pursued with rigour, enthusiasm and deep passion, contributing significantly to the understanding of geomorphological processes and karst landscapes. A pioneer of geological-technical mapping, he was among the first to recognise the importance of detailed knowledge of the territory, actively encouraging the sharing and dissemination of public data.

A highly respected lecturer and internationally recognised scholar, he was able to convey his enthusiasm for study and research to his students, guiding them throughout their education with expertise and dedication. In the same way, he generously shared his knowledge and experience with the many colleagues with whom he collaborated, contributing to the education and training of entire generations of professionals and researchers.

For many, Franco Cucchi was not only an authoritative scholar and a point of reference in the fields of geomorphology and karst studies, but also a mentor in both academic and personal life. His passion for research, his scientific curiosity and his ability to engage those around him left a profound mark on the academic community. His teaching and his contribution to research will remain part of the scientific and human heritage of the University of Trieste.

We remember him with our deepest affection and sincere gratitude.