Maria Carolina Foi, Full Professor of German Literature at the Department of Humanities of the University of Trieste, has been elected a member of the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung (German Academy for Language and Literature).

Founded in 1949 and based in Darmstadt, the Academy brings together writers, scholars, and intellectuals who have made outstanding contributions to German-language culture. Its membership also includes jurists and scientists distinguished by their literary sensitivity. Among its members have been figures such as Hannah Arendt, Jürgen Habermas, Ingeborg Bachmann, and Elias Canetti. The Academy also awards the Georg Büchner Prize, the most prestigious lifetime literary award for authors writing in German.

After beginning her academic studies in Law at the University of Padua, Maria Carolina Foi graduated in German Literature from the University of Trieste under the supervision of Claudio Magris.

She subsequently received prestigious research fellowships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts and Culture, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She also served as an External Senior Fellow at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies. Since 2008, she has been Full Professor of German Literature at the University of Trieste. Her main research interests include the relationship between literature and law, Viennese Modernism, and Italian-German cultural transfer. She has translated and edited Italian editions of classics by authors including Heinrich Heine and Friedrich Schiller.

From 2020 to 2024, she served as Distinguished Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Berlin, appointed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In 2025, she joined the jury of the Deutscher Buchpreis, Germany's most prestigious annual award for the best German-language novel.

Her election to the Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung confirms Professor Foi's international standing and represents a source of particular pride for the University of Trieste, whose excellence in research has been recognised by one of Europe's most prestigious cultural institutions.

The University of Trieste was represented by Stefano Parolai, Director of the Department of Mathematics and Geosciences, at the meeting "Seismic Risk Prevention in Italy", held at the Italian Senate.

During the event, which brought together institutional representatives, experts, and members of the National Civil Protection System, Professor Parolai presented the contribution of the scientific community to the Italian National Civil Protection Service. He highlighted the essential role of research in advancing the understanding of seismic phenomena, assessing seismic risk, and supporting decision-making to protect communities.

Professor Parolai's participation reflects his role as Deputy Representative for the Seismic Risk Sector of the National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks, the technical and scientific advisory body to the Italian Civil Protection Department. The Commission brings together leading experts from universities and research institutions and provides scientific assessments of the country's major natural and human-induced risks, supporting activities related to forecasting, prevention, and emergency management.

Professor Parolai's appointment to this Commission is an important recognition of the expertise developed at the University of Trieste in the fields of geosciences and seismology. The involvement of a UniTS faculty member in a strategic national advisory body underscores the valuable contribution that university research can make to public institutions in shaping effective policies for risk reduction and the safety of communities.

Which mammals live within the municipal territory of Trieste? Where are they concentrated? How numerous are they? For the first time, these questions can now be answered thanks to research coordinated by Alessio Mortelliti, Professor of Ecology at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Trieste.

The study represents the first systematic survey ever conducted in the Municipality of Trieste on the presence, distribution and abundance of medium- and large-sized mammals. It fills a significant gap in knowledge about the city’s natural heritage and provides essential data for biodiversity conservation and land-use planning.

The research was carried out between November 2025 and February 2026 using a fully non-invasive methodology based on camera trapping. A total of 156 camera traps were installed across 78 monitoring sites distributed throughout the Municipality’s natural and peri-urban habitats, amounting to more than 2,300 observation nights. The cameras, automatically triggered by the passage of animals, made it possible to document wildlife presence without interfering with animal behaviour.

Overall, 18 mammal species were recorded, confirming the high naturalistic value of the Trieste area. Among the most widespread species were roe deer, wild boar and golden jackal. Of particular interest were the detections of the wildcat and European polecat, species of conservation relevance whose presence in an area so close to the city represents a finding of considerable scientific value.

In addition to compiling a checklist of the species present, the researchers used advanced statistical models to produce the first maps showing the probability of occurrence and abundance of the different species across the various environments of the municipal area, from forests and karst landscapes to agricultural and peri-urban zones. This information will make it possible to better understand the relationship between wildlife and habitat and to identify the areas where certain species are most concentrated.

“The results show that Trieste hosts a particularly rich and diverse mammal community,” explains Alessio Mortelliti. “This is not a phenomenon linked to climate change, but rather to the distinctive position of the Trieste area, which is closely connected from an ecological point of view with the Karst and the natural areas of Slovenia. This environmental continuity, together with the expansion of woodland across the Karst in recent decades, has favoured the presence of numerous wild species even close to the city.”

The data collected provide a valuable tool for updating knowledge of the fauna within the municipal territory and may support future activities related to biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, and urban and environmental planning by the Municipality of Trieste.

The first edition of Tenebris vitae, a course in applied biospeleology, has come to a close. The initiative was organised by the Adriatic Speleological Society in collaboration with the University of Trieste and the Trieste Civic Museum of Natural History, with the patronage of the Italian Speleological Society and the Municipality of Duino Aurisina – Občina Devin Nabrežina.

The course was fully booked, with all available places filled within the maximum number set to ensure the quality of the field activities and the safe management of the group during the descent into the Trebiciano Cave, at a depth of more than 300 metres. This result confirms the growing interest in a discipline that brings together speleological exploration, scientific research and the protection of underground environments.

The course proposed an innovative format, creating a direct link between university research and the speleological community. Alongside the traditional approaches to collecting, observing and identifying cave-dwelling organisms, the programme introduced specific training in sampling techniques for molecular research, with a particular focus on environmental DNA, or eDNA.

This was one of the course’s most distinctive features: participants were trained not only to recognise and document underground fauna, but also to collect samples for genetic analysis, following the procedures needed to avoid contamination, including contamination with their own DNA. This is a crucial step in ensuring that fieldwork can support increasingly advanced studies on the biodiversity of underground environments.

The contribution of the University of Trieste focused in particular on the most innovative aspects of biospeleological research. Chiara Manfrin, researcher in Zoology at the Department of Life Sciences and scientific coordinator of the course, spoke about biodiversity monitoring and molecular identification methods based on eDNA. Marco Gerdol, professor of Genetics at the Department of Life Sciences, explored the adaptations of organisms to life underground, including at genomic level. PhD student Raffaele Bruschi addressed emerging issues linked to the pollution of underground environments, with a focus on hydrocarbons and microplastics.

The programme therefore integrated taxonomic and systematic approaches with tools that are becoming increasingly important for the study of biodiversity, such as DNA barcoding, metabarcoding and eDNA. Considerable attention was also devoted to the regulatory aspects concerning the protection of underground fauna in Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Slovenia, underlining the need to view underground ecosystems not only as places of exploration, but as fragile, complex and scientifically valuable environments.

The course brought together speleologists and speleo-researchers from several Italian regions, with a wide range of profiles: university researchers, students, UniTS speleology students and experienced speleologists interested in placing their skills at the service of scientific projects. This participation confirmed how the relationship between speleological expertise and academic research can open up new perspectives for data collection and the monitoring of underground environments.

The practical activities were led by Chiara Manfrin and Marco Restaino, president of the Adriatic Speleological Society, in the Trebiciano Cave and in the Isonzo area. Participants were able to apply directly the main sampling techniques used in biospeleological research, gaining practical skills in the collection, preservation and documentation of biological samples according to scientific protocols.

One day of the course was dedicated to fieldwork in the cave, with the descent into the Trebiciano Abyss, where a section of the Timavo River flows at the bottom. One of the most significant moments was the encounter with the olm (Proteus anguinus), the only troglobitic vertebrate found in Italy. For many participants, this was their first opportunity to observe this remarkable amphibian live in its natural environment: a symbol of the biodiversity of underground waters and of the need to preserve subterranean ecosystems.

The success of Tenebris vitae confirms the value of collaboration between speleologists and researchers: an increasingly strategic relationship for studying environments that are difficult to access, collecting scientific data in complex settings and contributing to the protection of a natural heritage that still remains largely unexplored.

The project "Generazione Impresa – Young Entrepreneurs of Confcommercio Trieste Meet the Innovators Community Lab (ICL)", developed through the collaboration between the Young Entrepreneurs Group of Confcommercio Trieste and the University of Trieste's Innovators Community Lab, has been selected among the winners of the second edition of the "Best Practices GGI 2026" award, promoted by the National Young Entrepreneurs Group of Confcommercio.

The award, presented by a national evaluation committee on the basis of the quality and impact of the submitted projects, recognizes initiatives capable of transforming ideas and expertise into tangible opportunities for local communities, businesses, and society.

The project was created with the aim of building a lasting bridge between academia and the business world through an innovative Business Speed Dating format. Starting in September, students, PhD candidates, early-career researchers, and entrepreneurs will take part in a series of short, structured meetings followed by networking sessions.

The initiative is designed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among younger generations, encourage the development of entrepreneurial skills, and create meaningful opportunities for dialogue between innovative ideas and market needs. Entrepreneurs will share their experience and strategic vision, while students will have the opportunity to present their projects, test solutions, and receive valuable feedback to support their professional and entrepreneurial development.

The University of Trieste's Innovators Community Lab will contribute to the implementation of the project by providing its facilities, engaging students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers, and supporting both the design and facilitation of the meetings. The ICL will also bring expertise in innovation, prototyping, design thinking, and business modelling, fostering cross-fertilization between research, education, and industry.

The initiative is fully aligned with the mission of the Innovators Community Lab to promote structured collaboration between the University and the local business ecosystem, highlighting the role of entrepreneurs as mentors and students as drivers of innovation. This national recognition confirms the value of a collaborative model aimed at generating new skills, meaningful connections, and sustainable development opportunities for the local community.

Three PhD candidates from the University of Trieste, Ruben Viduli, Davide Zennaro and Edoardo Insaghi, have won the “Overall” award at the ninth edition of Stats Under the Stars – SUS 2026, the scientific hackathon promoted as part of the SIS-FENStatS 2026 Joint Meeting, which brought together in Rome the 53rd Scientific Meeting of the Italian Statistical Society and the first Conference of the Federation of European National Statistical Societies.

The competition, held at Sapienza University of Rome with the support of Anas as partner and data provider, challenged young researchers to apply statistical analysis to a real-world problem. Participating teams were given access to a dataset covering reports recorded on the road network between 2016 and 2023, including accidents, potholes, critical issues and other anomalies reported by road users.

The goal was to build a model capable of predicting, for each road and each month, the number of reports expected in 2024 and 2025. Anas already had access to the data for those two years, but these figures were withheld from the participants: once the teams submitted their forecasts, the organisers compared them with the actual values to assess the accuracy of each model.

The UniTS team received the “Overall” award, assigned to the group achieving the best balance between forecasting accuracy and quality of technical analysis. The competition also included awards for the best prediction and the best report.

The challenge took place over the course of one night: participants worked from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m., before returning to Sapienza for the presentation of the results and the award ceremony, held before the official opening of the conference.

From a methodological point of view, the task involved predicting count data, namely the expected number of events. The UniTS team chose a probability distribution suitable for modelling this type of data and introduced an extension to make it more flexible and better able to capture the characteristics of the dataset.

Alongside this approach, the PhD candidates also tested more complex machine learning and deep learning models. During the evaluation phase, however, the simpler statistical model proved to be the most effective. The result highlights how, in some applications, the decisive factor is not the complexity of the algorithm, but the ability to choose the model that best fits the problem.

“It was an intense challenge, completed in just a few hours and based on real data,” the three PhD candidates commented. “The most interesting outcome was seeing how a well-chosen statistical model could compete with much more complex approaches. The differences between the top teams were extremely small, down to the fourth or fifth decimal place, which made the recognition even more meaningful.”

The team brought together skills developed through different academic backgrounds, spanning statistics, mathematics and data science. This combination of perspectives enabled them to integrate methodological insight and applied expertise, producing a forecast that was particularly close to the real data according to the statistical metric defined by the organisers.

Applications of this kind can have very concrete implications for infrastructure management. In the case of the road network, being able to predict in advance where reports are likely to increase could help plan inspections and maintenance more effectively, improving service management and helping to prevent critical situations. More broadly, data-driven predictive models can support strategic decision-making in many other areas, from public services to industrial applications.

The award assigned to the UniTS team has a value of 1,000 euros.

Identifying rare genetic diseases in the first days of life, before symptoms appear, and enabling more timely access to targeted care and clinical pathways: this is the perspective at the heart of the study conducted by the Medical Genetics group at the University of Trieste, led by Paolo Gasparini, Professor of Medical Genetics at UniTS and Director of the Medical Genetics Unit at the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo.

The work, carried out in collaboration with Stefania Zampieri, senior biologist in Medical Genetics at the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, assessed the clinical and economic impact of integrating genomics into newborn screening programmes. The study takes Friuli Venezia Giulia as a model and compares the traditional approach with a “genomic-first” scenario based on whole-exome sequencing (WES) as the first-line investigation.

Newborn screening is now one of the most effective tools for prevention: it enables the early identification of a number of treatable conditions and allows interventions to take place before they can lead to severe complications, disability or irreversible damage. The traditional model, however, is largely based on the analysis of biochemical markers and can therefore detect only those diseases for which known and measurable signals are already available.

“Newborn screening is highly effective today, but it can identify only conditions associated with specific biomarkers,” explains Paolo Gasparini. “With a genomic approach, we can detect genetic diseases at their root, even in the absence of clear early signals.”

The difference concerns not only the technology used, but the entire diagnostic pathway. In the traditional model, screening begins with a biochemical test, followed, in the event of a positive result, by further genetic investigations where appropriate. In the genomic model, by contrast, whole-exome sequencing becomes the first step of the investigation, followed where necessary by targeted biochemical tests or additional diagnostic confirmation. In this way, genomics broadens the scope of screening to include conditions that are not currently covered by traditional panels.

The study examined the 2023 newborn cohort in Friuli Venezia Giulia, comprising 7,543 children. In that year, screening identified one case of spinal muscular atrophy, one case of cystic fibrosis and eleven cases of metabolic diseases. Applying the comparison between the two models to this cohort, the analysis estimates a direct cost of €131 per newborn for traditional screening and €183 per newborn for genomic screening, an increase of €51 per newborn.

Against this initial increase, however, the genomic model shows a positive cost-effectiveness profile. According to the estimates, in Friuli Venezia Giulia the “genomic-first” approach could generate overall savings of around €2.2 million, taking into account the economic benefits associated with earlier diagnosis, fewer complications and the reduction of longer and more complex care pathways. Genomic screening could also make it possible to identify a further 7–8 cases of rare diseases each year that cannot be diagnosed through traditional biochemical tests.

“Investing in early diagnosis means making the system more sustainable in the medium to long term,” adds Gasparini. “It is an approach to healthcare that is oriented towards prevention.”

The value of genomics applied to newborn screening is therefore measured not only by the number of conditions that can be identified, but also by its potential to reduce the so-called “diagnostic odyssey” that many families face before receiving a diagnosis. Earlier diagnosis can support timely access to more effective therapies, improve clinical and functional outcomes, reduce the care burden and contain the social impact of disability.

The study also underlines the need to define carefully which conditions should be included in any newborn genomic screening programme. The main criteria include the availability of a therapeutic intervention, the clinical validity of the test, age of disease onset, severity of the clinical presentation, penetrance and the technical feasibility of genetic analysis. The perspective, therefore, is not the indiscriminate use of genomics, but an application guided by clinical, scientific and ethical criteria.

Another central issue is the relationship between genomic screening and metabolic screening. The two approaches should not be regarded as alternatives, but as complementary. Genomics makes it possible to identify genetic variants associated with disease; metabolic screening can help validate their functional effect, distinguishing between pathogenic variants, findings of uncertain significance and different clinical forms, including late-onset forms.

The decreasing cost of sequencing, the growth of gene and cell therapies and the identification of new therapeutic targets are making genomics an increasingly important tool for preventive and personalised medicine. Key issues remain open, from the management of variants of uncertain significance to the protection of newborns’ genomic data, as well as the need for adequate bioinformatics infrastructure and pilot studies shared across laboratories and health systems.

UniTS remembers David Clyde Snelling, an extraordinary teacher and humanist, a lover of history and languages, art and music, who has recently passed away.

Having moved to Trieste from England in the early 1970s, he soon joined the then School for Interpreters (SSLMIT) as a lecturer in simultaneous interpretation.

He would remain there for more than 40 years, leaving an indelible mark on the School, of which he also served as Director, and on generations of interpretation students, many of whom went on to become conference interpreters and, thanks in part to his teaching, reached the highest levels of the profession.

His versatility, intellectual vitality, analytical precision, teaching rigour, generosity in his relationships with colleagues and students, and his extensive international network made a fundamental contribution to the life of the institution, helping to consolidate and enhance its prestige worldwide.

Four women and one man, five books exploring science from invisible microorganisms to the sense of touch. Antonella Fioravanti takes readers into the unseen world of microorganisms that sustain the planet's delicate balance (Journey into the Invisible World). Vincenzo Levizzani shows how fog, wind and storms have shaped the course of human history (The History of the World in Ten Storms). Daniela Minerva gives voice to women's knowledge that remained on the margins of mainstream medicine for centuries (Plural Women's Medicine), while Beatrice Mautino explores the uncertainty and vulnerability of those who turn to science at one of life's most fragile moments—illness—in Vertigo. Completing the shortlist is Marta Paterlini's The Thinking Skin, which brings touch—the oldest and perhaps most overlooked of our senses—back to the heart of what makes us human.

These are the five finalists for the fourth edition of the Trieste Next – Science Book of the Year Award, promoted by ItalyPost and the Municipality of Trieste – Department of Education, Schools, Universities, Research, Employment and Innovation, under the scientific leadership of the University of Trieste. Presented as part of the Trieste Next festival, the award celebrates the most significant recent publications that explore and interpret the world of science.

The shortlist was selected by the Award's Scientific Jury, which chose five titles from more than 60 books submitted by publishing houses. The shortlisted authors will take part in the fifteenth edition of Trieste Next, entitled "The Shape of Thought. Interactions between Brains and Intelligences," taking place in Trieste from 25 to 27 September. Throughout the festival, each finalist will present their book in a dedicated event introduced by a member of the Scientific Jury. The winner will be chosen by the Readers' Jury, made up of more than 200 science enthusiasts from across Italy, and will be announced during the award ceremony on Sunday, 27 September at 11:30 a.m. on the Trieste Next main stage.

The Scientific Jury is chaired by Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste, and includes: Gabriele Beccaria (Tuttoscienze, La Stampa), Fabrizio Brancoli (Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Gruppo Nem Nord Est Multimedia), Maurizio De Blasio (Councillor for Education, Schools, Universities, Research, Employment and Innovation, Municipality of Trieste), Leonardo De Cosmo (ANSA and Le Scienze), Paola Del Negro (Director General, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS), Fabio Pagan, Marco Panara (la Repubblica Affari & Finanza), Nicla Panciera, Paola Pica (Corriere della Sera Innovazione), Caterina Petrillo (President, Area Science Park), Nico Pitrelli (SISSA, Trieste), Davide Re (Avvenire), Fabio Sottocornola (Corriere della Sera), and Camilla Valletti (Managing Editor, L'Indice della Settimana).

"Once again this year, the science books competing for the award reflect a wide range of fields of knowledge that have a profound impact on society. Bringing them to the attention of the ever-growing audience of Trieste Next is precisely our goal: fostering greater awareness of the role science plays in everyday life is essential," said Donata Vianelli, Rector of the University of Trieste.

Silvia Marchesan, Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DSCF) of the University of Trieste, has been elected a Member of the Chemistry Division of the European Academy of Sciences (EurASc).

This prestigious recognition acknowledges Professor Marchesan's pioneering contributions to the field of nanomaterials science, particularly her research on the role of chirality in peptide self-assembly, which has provided fundamental insights for the design and development of functional peptide-based nanomaterials. Her election also recognizes her commitment to promoting interdisciplinary research, science communication, and dialogue across disciplines, cultures, and genders.

"I am deeply honoured to join the Chemistry Division of EurASc," said Silvia Marchesan. "This recognition marks an important milestone for my research group and for our commitment to building collaborations that transcend the boundaries between disciplines and scientific communities. I am delighted to contribute to the Academy's mission of promoting scientific excellence and international cooperation."

The European Academy of Sciences (EurASc) is an independent international organization that brings together some of Europe's most distinguished scientists and engineers to promote excellence in fundamental and interdisciplinary research, strengthen international scientific cooperation, and advance science and technology for the benefit of society. EurASc works alongside and complements the activities of national academies and the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC).

Professor Marchesan joins EurASc's Chemistry Division alongside several distinguished colleagues from the University of Trieste already serving in the Academy: Professors Paolo Fornasiero and Federico Rosei, members of the Materials Division from the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Maurizio Prato, Professor Emeritus at the University of Trieste.