The University of Trieste has inaugurated the new ‘Antonio Longinelli’ Stable Isotope Laboratory, dedicated to the analysis of stable isotopes and their applications in environmental, geological and interdisciplinary research. Located in the basement of Building ‘O’ at the San Giovanni Campus, Via Weiss 6, the laboratory falls under the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences (MIGe) and is coordinated by Professor Stefano Covelli, with Daniele Karlicek as the technical lead.

The new scientific facility is equipped with a next-generation Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IR MS), an instrument that enables the analysis of stable isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in solid, liquid and gaseous samples. The acquisition of the equipment was made possible thanks to a special funding call issued by the university in 2022 for the purchase of scientific instruments, with a total allocation of 4 million euros. The proposal was the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration involving academic staff from the MIGe, DSV and DSCF departments.  

Stable isotopes – atoms of the same element that differ in the number of neutrons and therefore in mass – are invaluable tools for studying a wide range of natural phenomena. In Earth Sciences, for instance, stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon are used to reconstruct past temperatures and climate changes by analysing rocks, sediments and ice. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes help to investigate the origin and movement of surface and groundwater, providing key insights into the water cycle and interactions between water and soil. Isotopes are also used to identify sources of pollution and to monitor the degradation processes of pollutants. In Environmental Sciences, the analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotopes allows for a deeper understanding of ecosystem functioning, nutrient sources and plant growth mechanisms. In archaeology, the study of isotopes in human and animal remains provides information about diet, mobility and ancient cultural contexts. Isotopes also play a key role in verifying the origin and authenticity of food products such as wine and extra virgin olive oil, helping to detect fraud, adulteration and counterfeiting.

The laboratory is named in memory of Professor Antonio Longinelli, a pioneer of isotopic geochemistry in Italy and Full Professor at the University of Trieste from 1983 to 1998. A leading figure in the international scientific community, Longinelli established isotopic geochemistry laboratories in Pisa, Palermo, Trieste and Parma. His extensive body of research covered fields ranging from palaeoclimatology to hydrogeology, from oceanography to environmental science and biomedicine. A member of the European Academy and the Lyncean Academy, he is remembered not only for the value of his scientific contributions, but also for his charismatic personality and enduring influence on the scientific community. 

The collaboration agreement between the U.S.-based company Performance Medical Technology (PMT) and the University of Trieste was signed at the Palazzo della Regione, with the involvement of the Central Health Directorate of the Regional Administration.

"The agreement involves three departments of the University of Trieste (Department of Life Sciences; Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences), which will conduct research, analysis, and pilot clinical studies aimed at developing a new drug for Parkinson’s disease,” explained the Rector of the University of Trieste, Roberto Di Lenarda. “The scientific activities carried out at the University, in collaboration with PMT (Performance Medical Technologies), will serve as the foundation for the NDA (New Drug Application) required for the drug’s commercialization. We are at the beginning of a stimulating scientific challenge with great social impact, which we will pursue using the skills and outstanding facilities at our disposal.”

The agreement paves the way for PMT’s establishment in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, PMT specializes in developing new therapeutic options for neurodegenerative diseases—particularly early-stage Parkinson’s—and will launch a series of joint activities in the field of medical research.

A journey through centuries of Byzantine history takes digital form: the University of Trieste has officially presented the Nomismata Database, a research project of excellence and a significant advancement in the field of Digital Humanities. 

The database, which currently includes more than 210,000 data entries from around 5,000 sites, represents the first large-scale, systematic effort to catalogue finds of Byzantine coins minted between 498 and 1453, both within and beyond the borders of the Empire.
Developed with the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Department of Humanities, the UniTS International Relations Office and the 2022 PRIN (Research Projects of National Interest) programme, the project is the result of collaboration among numerous internationally renowned scholars and researchers, including Cécile Morrisson, Vivien Prigent, Gheorghia Alexopoulou, Vujadin Ivanišević, Ermanno Arslan, Stefan Krmnicek, Alessia Rovelli, Erika Trbojević, Stoyan Mihaylov, Nikolaus Schindel, Luca Zavagno, Andrea Gariboldi, Giulio Carraro, Cristiano Rossetti and Kateryna Sorochan.

Equally fundamental was the IT contribution of Giorgio Donato, Jordan Piščanc and Davide Franch, along with the communication design curated by Pamela Theodotou and Giulia Basso.

During the presentation, a prestigious new donation was also announced: Giorgio Conetti, Professor Emeritus at the University of Insubria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Trieste (1984–1992), has donated his personal collection of coins from medieval Serbia, the Latin Empire and 19th-century Balkan states to the University. This enriches the numismatic heritage available for research and public engagement.

A section dedicated to the study of Byzantine seals from archaeological excavations will also be integrated into the database, in collaboration with the Research Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Art of the Academy of Athens, represented by Olga Karagiorgou.

The database, which is part of the University Museum Services (SMATS), will be accessible online at www.smats.units.it, where it will be maintained, continuously updated and further developed, also through the application of artificial intelligence tools.

More than 1,500 prospective students registered for the Open Day for Master’s Degrees, where they attended presentations of the University of Trieste’s second-cycle academic programmes.

Three new master’s degrees will be launched in the next academic year:

• Rehabilitation Sciences for Health Professions
• Applied Social and Cognitive Psychology
• Political Science – Integration and Governance, based at the Gorizia campus

The orientation event opened with a talk titled ‘The University of Trieste and the Importance of Choice: Becoming Drivers of Change Through a Solid and Interdisciplinary Education in a Unique City,’ featuring university professor Andrea Segrè and radio host Massimo Cirri.

Further information about UniTS Master’s Degrees.

The International Day of Human Space Flight falls on 12th April, commemorating the day in 1961 when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to cross the boundaries of Earth’s atmosphere and travel into space. The Space Race had begun four years earlier with the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth. But it was Gagarin’s historic flight that ushered in what came to be known as the ‘fourth dimension of geopolitics’, as Cold War rivalries extended beyond Earth into outer space.

While the first human venture into space occurred in a period marked by intense geopolitical tension, today, the presence of men and women beyond our planet aspires to embody peace and international cooperation, exemplified by major joint ventures such as the International Space Station. This is the spirit behind the Day’s celebration.

Current developments point towards new trends, particularly regarding the use of satellites. Professor Fabio Spitaleri, lecturer in European Union Law and International Law, offers his insight:

‘We are witnessing a true revolution in the use of space resources. In the past, space was initially a domain of political and technological competition between major powers, and later, a field of cooperation for scientific and industrial initiatives. In recent years, a new phase has begun: alongside governmental agencies, private groups have become increasingly active. By creating constellations of satellites, they are able to provide internet access from virtually any point on the planet. There is an urgent need for international regulation of these new developments, in order to preserve the peaceful use of space, steer and support investment, safeguard scientific research, and ensure equitable access to limited resources, such as low Earth orbit.’

Further reading:

• UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
• Draft Bill on ‘Provisions for the Space Economy’

The University of Trieste and the University of Udine signed a new Framework Agreement together with AUSIR – the Authority for Water and Waste Services in Friuli Venezia Giulia and the region’s leading water and environmental service providers. In addition to AUSIR, the agreement includes the following partners: AcegasApsAmga, Acquedotto del Carso – Kraški vodovod, CAFC, HydroGEA, Irisacqua, Livenza Tagliamento Acque, A&T 2000, Ambiente Servizi, GEA – Gestioni Ecologiche e Ambientali, Isontina Ambiente, MTF, and NET.

The agreement, signed today by all partners in the Predonzani Room of the Regional Government Building in the presence of the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, renews and expands the earlier protocol signed in 2019. It reaffirms the shared commitment to collaborate on sustainability and innovation in the management of the integrated water and waste cycle.

The new framework promotes applied research projects, joint advanced training initiatives, participation in competitive funding calls, and the valorisation of shared data, experience, and technical infrastructure.

The University of Trieste brings a strong interdisciplinary approach to the partnership, represented by Professor Paolo Bevilacqua (Department of Engineering and Architecture) and Professor Fabio Barbone (Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences), who serve as the University’s scientific coordinators. The agreement also supports inter-university masters already launched in collaboration with public service providers, including those in ‘Technology and Management of the Integrated Water Cycle’ and ‘Circular Economy and the Integrated Waste Cycle.’

‘This agreement,’ said Roberto Di Lenarda, Rector of the University of Trieste, ‘offers a concrete opportunity to launch new multidisciplinary research capable of addressing the challenges of sustainable resource management in innovative ways. Collaboration will range from the study of aquifer systems and infrastructure networks to wastewater and sludge treatment, from the economic and regulatory analysis of public services to the reuse of waste within a circular economy framework. Just as crucial is our commitment to communication and training, which are strategic levers for raising awareness and driving change at both the technical and societal level.’

A previously unknown and extraordinary glacial melt event dating back to the Medieval Warm Period has left striking evidence on a glacier in Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. The discovery is detailed in an international study published in the prestigious journal Communications Earth and Environment, titled "A warming pulse in the Antarctic continent changed the landscape during the Middle Ages." For the first time, the study reconstructs the impact of a sudden climatic warming that occurred between 900 and 989 years ago and significantly altered the Antarctic landscape.

The research, coordinated by Emanuele Forte (University of Trieste) and Mauro Guglielmin (University of Insubria and Centre for Climate Change Research), in collaboration with Maurizio Azzaro (Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council – CNR-ISP), Nicoletta Cannone and Alessandro Longhi (University of Insubria and Centre for Climate Change Research), and Ilaria Santin (ETH Zurich), documents a phenomenon never before observed. The study identifies intense fluvial erosion and sediment transport across the glacier’s surface, caused by meltwater runoff that carved a channel at least four kilometres in length.

The findings show that the water left a lasting imprint on the glacier, creating a break in the stratigraphy and forming a graded sediment deposit – clear evidence of a gradual slowing of the water flow. Unlike current melt events observed in East Antarctica and on the Nansen Ice Shelf, the medieval event stands out as an exceptional case. It occurred during a naturally occurring phase of global warming, yet the same glacier today remains permanently snow-covered with no signs of surface melting. This contrast further highlights the uniqueness and significance of the discovery.

The research offers a new perspective on the stability of Antarctic glaciers and demonstrates that even short-lived episodes of climatic warming – often undetectable through traditional palaeoclimatic analysis – can lead to profound and lasting changes in glacial landscapes. The results underscore the sensitivity of Antarctic glaciers to sudden climate shifts and point to the potential impact of extreme events linked to ongoing climate change.

The study was conducted as part of the National Antarctic Research Programme (PNRA), funded by the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and implemented through the National Research Council (CNR) for scientific coordination, ENEA for the planning and logistical support of activities at Antarctic bases, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) for the technical and scientific management of the research vessel Laura Bassi.

For the first time in its history, the University of Trieste will be led by a female rector: upon the closing of applications, the candidacies of Ilaria Garofolo and Donata Vianelli have been officially submitted. One of these two professors will assume the highest academic position for the next six years.​

The elections will be held—for the first time electronically—with a first round scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. If neither candidate achieves an absolute majority of eligible votes, a runoff will take place on Tuesday, May 13.​

Approximately 1,500 members of the academic community, representing all its components, are entitled to vote. This electorate includes tenured professors and researchers; technical-administrative staff (both permanent and temporary) with weighted voting (20% of the eligible votes of tenured professors and researchers); student representatives elected to the Academic Senate, Board of Directors, University Sports Committee, ARDIS Student Committee, and the ten Department Councils; and research fellows elected to the Academic Senate and the ten Department Councils.​

The new rector will take office on August 1, 2025, and will serve until July 31, 2031.​

The Candidates

Ilaria Garofolo is a Full Professor of Architectural Technology in the Department of Engineering and Architecture, which she directed from 2017 to 2019. Previously, she led the Department of Architectural and Urban Design (2002-2005), served as the Rector's Delegate for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (2015-2017), and was the Rector's Advisor for Building and Energy from 2019 through 2024.​

Donata Vianelli is a Full Professor of Business Economics and Management and, since 2021, Director of the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences, as well as a member of the Academic Senate. She was the Rector's Delegate for Orientation and Job Placement from 2013 to 2019.

Making green hydrogen a more efficient, safe and accessible energy source is the goal of the E4H2 – Efficiency for Hydrogen project, launched by the University of Trieste in collaboration with the University of Udine. The initiative is one of several funded by the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia through its regional call for proposals to support the creation and modernisation of research infrastructure in the field of renewable hydrogen.

Thanks to funding of €2 million from the regional government, the UniTS project will establish a network of four laboratories distributed across the region. Each lab will focus on a strategic stage in the hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to end use.

Researchers will work to improve the efficiency and durability of electrolysers, devices that produce ‘green’ hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources. The project will test innovative storage systems, including cryogenic tanks – specialised containers capable of storing hydrogen in liquid form at extremely low temperatures (down to -252°C) – and high-pressure solutions designed to reduce energy loss during storage and transport.

Significant efforts will also be devoted to the development of more efficient and longer-lasting fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity without releasing pollutants, as well as to the definition of operating protocols aimed at improving the overall efficiency of the process. Another key objective will be safety, with the new network enabling researchers to identify critical issues and propose solutions to ensure increasingly reliable hydrogen use.

‘The infrastructure,’ explains Rodolfo Taccani, Professor of Machinery at the University of Trieste and scientific lead of the project, ‘will allow for the testing of devices at various levels, from individual components to pilot-scale systems. It will combine experimental research with advanced simulation models, including those based on artificial intelligence. The data collected will support better maintenance, lower costs and greater sustainability across the system.’

E4H2 represents a major step in building a regional green hydrogen supply chain, fully integrated into the broader cross-border framework of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley. It will foster connections between universities, research centres and businesses in support of the energy transition and decarbonisation.

As part of the wider regional funding programme for renewable hydrogen research infrastructure, the University of Trieste is also participating as a partner in three additional projects. The research teams are led by Rodolfo Taccani (Department of Engineering and Architecture), Alessandro Baraldi (Department of Physics) and Lorenzo Bonini (Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences). The total funding awarded to these projects amounts to €3.5 million out of the 11 million allocated by the regional authority, making the University of Trieste the leading research institution in Friuli Venezia Giulia in this area of energy transition.

Agorai Innovation Hub’ was presented in Trieste as an ecosystem of centres of excellence, created with the aim of establishing one of the most important hubs in Italy and Europe for both applied and basic research in advanced Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI), as well as for cutting-edge education at European level.

‘The University of Trieste, having initially promoted the initiative, is now one of the founding members of Agorai Innovation Hub. Thanks to its pioneering role in AI education in Italy, the University will be able to make a significant technical and scientific contribution,’ said Rector Roberto Di Lenarda. ‘We were the first university to offer a complete set of degrees in Artificial Intelligence – from the bachelor’s degree to the PhD – aimed at preparing future professionals in the field. Our next goal is to develop interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary applications of the subject across other degree programmes. Thanks to support from Generali, a new course in Responsible and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence will also be introduced as part of the Master's Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. This will equip students with new tools to understand and address the social and ethical implications of AI technologies.’

THE STRUCTURE OF ‘AGORAI INNOVATION HUB’

The ecosystem will consist of a Foundation, primarily responsible for basic research, and a joint stock company named ‘Agorai Innovation Hub’, which will focus on applied research through the implementation of case studies in various sectors. It will develop innovative solutions that leverage advanced AI algorithms and the potential of big data. Based on these solutions, the Hub will promote start-up support and development, attract talent, and foster a digital culture, showcasing the region’s excellence within an international context.

An ‘open academy’ will also be established – a centre for providing training and outreach services to both members and third parties. It will draw on the expertise and networks of academic institutions and corporate training schools, such as the Generali Group Academy. 

HEADQUARTERS AT PALAZZO CARCIOTTI

Agorai Innovation Hub will be based in Palazzo Carciotti, an iconic Trieste building and the original headquarters of Generali, which will once again embody the city’s spirit of innovation. Acquired by Generali in early 2025, Palazzo Carciotti will undergo extensive renovation and restoration by Generali Real Estate.

To bring the vision of Agorai Innovation Hub to life, architect, engineer and urban planner Carlo Ratti (Director of the MIT Senseable City Lab and curator of the 2025 Venice International Architecture Exhibition) has been appointed.

While Palazzo Carciotti is being restored, the Hub will be temporarily based in the neighbouring Palazzo Berlam. 

WHY AGORAI INNOVATION HUB

The name ‘Agorai’ reflects a fusion of past and future, combining the concept of the Greek ‘agorà’ – a place of exchange and collective growth – with innovation as the engine of tomorrow. This link resonates with the history of Palazzo Carciotti as a crossroads of economic and social exchange. 

AN ECOSYSTEM OF OUTSTANDING PARTNERS 

The initiative brings together key players from the Italian and international landscape, divided across three sectors:

• Private: In addition to the Generali Group – including Assicurazioni Generali, Banca Generali and Generali Italia – leading companies such as Fincantieri and illycaffè are involved. Goldman Sachs joins as a research partner in the Finance & Capital Markets Union area. Deloitte is the business partner supporting the implementation and go-to-market strategy for the Hub’s assets and services. Google Cloud is a strategic innovation partner, providing advanced AI technologies, infrastructure optimised for artificial intelligence, and training courses on the use of cutting-edge AI models.
• Public: The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region is a key institutional partner, actively supporting the initiative and recognising its strategic value for the area.
• Academic, research and training: A network of prestigious institutions – including the Universities of Trieste and Udine, the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), the Italian Institute of Technology, MIB Trieste School of Management, and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) – ensures the project’s strong scientific foundation.

‘HUMANAIZE THE FUTURE’: THE MISSION OF THE SCIENTIFIC HUB

The ecosystem’s goal is to place the major challenges facing humanity and the planet at the centre of scientific and technological research. The motto ‘Humanaize the Future’ expresses the ambition to foster a form of intelligence that is not only artificial but also culturally transformative.

The ecosystem’s activities will be structured around three main areas:

• Basic Research: carried out by scientific institutions to explore the frontiers of AI and its applications;
• Applied Research: conducted by companies in partnership with Agorai Innovation Hub to translate scientific discoveries into practical, innovative solutions;
• Open Academy: an academic initiative focused on talent development, knowledge transfer, and start-up creation.

Ethics and the measurement of technological impact will be fundamental guiding principles across all areas of activity.

KEY RESEARCH AREAS TO ADDRESS FUTURE GLOBAL CHALLENGES

The research centre will initially focus on four key areas, with the possibility of expanding further. Drawing on the expertise of its partners, the Hub aims to generate new business models that have a positive impact on people’s lives:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Regenerative Agriculture and Nutrition
• Mobility and Transport
• Finance & Capital Markets Union