On Thursday 17th July, the Universities of Trieste and Udine will welcome to their Gorizia campus the 32 participants of the 31st edition of the Bovec Summer School, representing seven universities from the Alpe-Adria region. This year, the school, organised by the University of Klagenfurt, focuses on the theme ‘Nation and narration in Europe: language, culture and identity in the pursuit of Europeanisation’. The initiative is international, interdisciplinary and multilingual, held in German, Slovenian, Italian, Friulian and Croatian, and involves students and lecturers from the universities of Udine, Trieste, Koper, Klagenfurt, Ljubljana, Rijeka and Osijek. The day will provide an opportunity to reflect on the role played by Gorizia and Nova Gorica, as European Capital of Culture 2025, in promoting the values of European citizenship.

The first session, at 14:00, will take place at the University of Trieste campus, in via Alviano, featuring an interactive seminar on science diplomacy led by Simone Arnaldi, Professor of Sociology in the Department of Political and Social Sciences.
‘Science diplomacy,’ explains Professor Arnaldi, ‘is a field of study that defines the bidirectional relationship between science and diplomacy, each with its own clearly defined role. In this context, diplomacy acts as a tool to facilitate scientific progress, while science becomes a resource supporting international policy.’

The University of Trieste is a national reference point in the field of science diplomacy, having recently published a strategic policy document on the subject. Within this framework, the interactive seminar will invite participants to explore the crucial role of international scientific cooperation in tackling the major global challenges facing our societies. They will also reflect on the changing institutional, economic and political landscape in which today’s scientific community operates, and on the enduring value of the universal principles science upholds in overcoming divisions and conflicts that continue to affect Europe.

At 16:00, the summer school will move to the Santa Chiara campus of the University of Udine. The session will open with remarks from Renata Kodilja, Coordinator of the degree programmes in Public Relations and Integrated Communication for Business and Organisations. Patrizia Artico, Gorizia’s Councillor for Go!2025, will bring greetings on behalf of the Municipality. 

Participants will take part in interactive activities inspired by the brain writing technique and in a multilingual focus group – a communication-based approach that fosters European citizenship. The exercise will gather and highlight the perspectives emerging from the discussion and use them to generate further insights. The workshop aims to promote informed European citizenship among young people by strengthening critical thinking and the ability to analyse contemporary social and political challenges, with particular attention to defending democratic values and encouraging active participation.

‘Universities,’ explain Professors Iris Jammernegg and Renata Kodilja, who coordinate the session at the University of Udine, ‘play a key role in promoting research and education that strengthen human rights, diversity and European citizenship. The Bovec Summer School is an opportunity to inspire awareness and active participation among students within the European community.’ 

The Bovec Summer School

This year, the summer school aims to critically examine the role of national narratives in shaping European identity, with a focus on the intersections between language, culture, memory and belonging. In an era marked by the increasing fragility of the European project, the programme offers a space for interdisciplinary and cross-cultural dialogue, exploring how public discourse and collective representations influence democratic cohesion, social inclusion and the safeguarding of fundamental rights.

Drawing on contributions from scholars across multiple disciplines, the programme addresses key issues such as the relationship between language and power, memory politics, the construction of otherness and the current resurgence of identity-driven narratives.

‘The geographical and cultural context of the Alpe-Adria region, historically characterised by linguistic diversity and a dense network of cross-border relations, provides particularly fertile ground for reflecting on the potential of the European project,’ notes Cristina Beretta, Professor at the University of Klagenfurt and Scientific Director of the Summer School.

‘In this respect, the example of Gorizia and Nova Gorica, united by a fruitful and collaborative relationship, epitomises this complexity and richness,’ adds Fiorenza Ninin, Project Manager of the initiative. ‘The Summer School is therefore not only an educational experience but also,’ Ninin stresses, ‘a critical laboratory where participating students can develop intellectual and civic tools to face the challenges of our time with greater awareness.’

A strategic architectural and functional redevelopment project is taking shape within San Giovanni Park, breathing new life into the F1 and F2 buildings. The University of Trieste is undertaking a major urban regeneration initiative, fully respecting the historical heritage of the former psychiatric hospital complex, with the aim of enhancing its cultural significance and giving it a renewed scientific purpose.

The works, awarded in 2021, began in 2022 following an initial structural revision made necessary by the severe state of deterioration of the buildings. Further design amendments became necessary over time, including after asbestos-containing materials were discovered and removed in parts of the buildings that had not been visible during the planning phase.

F1 and F2: between history and innovation 
Originally built in the early 20th century as pavilions of the former Provincial Psychiatric Hospital, the F1 and F2 buildings bear witness to a chapter in the healthcare history of Trieste. F1, known as the ‘Pavilion for Tranquil Men’, housed male patients in stable condition, while F2 served as the complex’s kitchens. After the closure of the psychiatric hospital and a long period of abandonment, these spaces were acquired by the University of Trieste to accommodate teaching, research and service activities in support of the academic community, while also returning to the city an important piece of Trieste’s 20th-century history.

F1: a space for research and innovation 
With a surface area of approximately 2,100 m², the F1 building will host advanced education activities, research and inter-institutional collaboration. The pavilion is currently awaiting connection to the fire prevention water supply system, as well as clearance from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for works on the external areas. Once these are obtained, the University will quickly move on to the interior fit-out and relocation of offices.

The work, now substantially complete, already showcases highlights such as the reconstruction of the canopy over the main entrance and the restoration of floral decorative motifs on the façade, which enhance its eclectic style.

Inside, there will be offices for teaching staff and innovative psychology laboratories, along with a spacious two-level study area incorporating the striking veranda overlooking the greenery of the park. The goal of this project is to create a stimulating environment for students and researchers, fostering interaction and engagement with the outside world.

F2: a centre for services and inclusion 
With an area of around 1,980 m², the F2 building is being repurposed mainly for teaching activities, communal spaces and initiatives aimed at the university community and beyond. The plans include a modern Great Hall and four large classrooms.

At this stage, work is underway in collaboration with Acegas to install the medium-voltage electrical substation. Here too, final clearance from the Superintendency is awaited to determine the colour scheme for the façade, the window frames and certain artistic details, such as the frieze under the roof ledge. Completion of the works is expected by spring 2026.

An investment in the future The total cost borne by the University of Trieste for these works exceeds €10 million, €7 million of which comes from the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Progress to date has been significantly influenced by the timelines required by the Superintendency, with the University acting promptly to comply with the body’s directives.

San Giovanni Park: a resource for the city and the University 
The redevelopment of buildings F1 and F2 marks an important step in the revitalisation of San Giovanni Park, which is being transformed into a hub of culture, research and wellbeing for the entire community. The University of Trieste is renewing a historical asset, preserving the memory of the past while looking to the future with interventions designed to meet the needs of accessibility, innovation and openness to the local area.

The next steps will involve the restoration of pavilion F3, for which full funding has already been approved, and the Gregoretti 2 building, for which the call for the final design phase will be published shortly.

These projects are part of a broader strategy to enhance the Park as a space of connection between the University, culture and the city, promoting staff wellbeing, social responsibility and the attractiveness of our university.

Last night, a packed Piazza Verdi hosted the University of Trieste's Graduation Day, held in the heart of the city for the first time ever. The academic ceremony celebrating 170 new PhD graduates from UniTS turned into a public event open to the public, featuring science outreach, music and other university proceedings. 

Included in the official Triestestate calendar, the evening also marked the last public event for Rector Roberto Di Lenarda, who chose to end his term alongside young researchers and fellow members of the public. 

‘We wanted to bring Graduation Day to the city centre,’ said Di Lenarda, ‘to once again emphasise the strong bond between the University and Trieste, which we have consolidated thanks to the University’s 100th Anniversary celebrations. I am both delighted and honoured to conclude my services to the academic community alongside the young people who represent the excellence of our education system and our fellow citizens, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of our research. I end my rectorship with the message that knowledge must be implemented, shared, communicated and, above all, sustained, because only by investing in the education of young people and research will we ensure a prosperous future for our country.’

The keynote speaker was Rosario Rizzuto, former rector of the University of Padua and now president of the National Centre for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology, one of the strategic infrastructures of the NRRP promoted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. His speech, entitled ‘RNA and gene therapy: new technologies for personalised medicine’, offered a glimpse into the challenges and potential of the biotechnological revolution that is transforming contemporary medicine. At the heart of his reflection was the need to accelerate the transfer of scientific research results to clinical applications through the development of new platforms capable of generating innovative RNA-based drugs and gene therapy treatments. This perspective will require significant investment in research, interdisciplinary collaboration and industrial innovation to make personalised medicine increasingly advanced, sustainable and accessible.

The ceremony highlighted the international atmosphere and vitality of the University's doctoral programmes. The 170 new PhD graduates represent the highest number in the history of the University of Trieste, with an increase of 28% compared to the previous year. The students’ origins, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa and America, also include researchers from countries affected by serious international crises, testimony to the role of science as a resource for building spaces for dialogue and peace.

During Roberto Di Lenarda's term as rector, the University's PhD programmes have seen significant growth in scholarship numbers, total enrolments and the appeal of the programmes on offer. 'Between 2019 and 2024,' says Prof. Alessandro Baraldi, Deputy Rector for Scientific Research and Doctorates, 'the number of places available has increased from 138 to 185 (up by 34%), the total number of enrolments in doctoral programmes has grown from 348 to 549, an increase of 57.8%, while the number of candidates for admission tests has increased from 667 to 1,268, an increase of 90.5%.’

This growth has come alongside a strengthening of employment prospects. One year after graduation, 85% of UniTS PhD graduates are employed, with 26% in the private sector and 15% engaged in industrial innovation. And while 17% of graduates have started their careers abroad, 68.2% are currently contributing to the economic and social growth of Italy’s North-East.

Hosted by journalist Marinella Chirico, the evening went from institutional speeches – with greetings from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Municipality of Trieste and Fondazione CRTrieste – to educational proceedings and musical interludes with Ben & the Soul Sisters, composed of Joy Jenkins, Michela Grilli and Sara Roversi, accompanied on piano by Marco Ballaben. The event concluded with the traditional cap toss, a symbol of the end of one’s studies and obtaining a PhD degree.

Graduation Day was organised with the contribution of Fondazione CRTrieste and was part of the Triestestate summer festival, promoted by the Municipality of Trieste – Department of Culture and Tourism, with the collaboration of the Department of Education and Family Policies, the Department of Territorial Policies, PromoTurismoFVG and the Trieste Convention & Visitors Bureau.

This morning saw the presentation of the progress of the restoration works on Villa Sevastopulo – also known as the "Castelletto di Monte Valerio" – located within the university grounds of the University of Trieste. The event was attended by Roberto Di Lenarda, Rector of the University of Trieste, and Massimo Paniccia, President of Fondazione CRTrieste. They were joined by Paco Ferrante, Director of Works.

The restoration, which began in 2023 and is scheduled for completion by spring 2026, involves the conservative rehabilitation of the building, the upgrading of facilities to current regulations, and the restoration of its decorative and historical features. The project goes beyond conservation, representing a significant opportunity to enhance the cultural and educational value of one of Trieste’s architectural treasures. Each element recovered, each fresco brought back to light, reopens a page of history to be shared with future generations.

Closed since 2010, Villa Sevastopulo’s restoration also strengthens the long-standing collaboration between the University and the Foundation, already active in scientific, medical and technological fields. This partnership once again demonstrates how institutional cooperation can generate cultural, social and educational value for the wider community.

The presentation also served as a reflection on the deep relationship between the Foundation and the University in view of the upcoming handover of leadership on 1st August from Roberto Di Lenarda (Rector since 2019) to Donata Vianelli, elected as the University’s first female Rector in May. Between 2019 and 2025, resources totalling €11,649,746.00 have been made available.

Fondazione CRTrieste remains strongly committed to supporting projects in the arts and cultural heritage sector, in the belief that preserving historical memory enriches the territory and strengthens its collective identity. It is within this framework that the Foundation has contributed €800,000 towards the restoration of Villa Sevastopulo, in addition to the building’s total project budget of €5,000,000.

Project Details: “Castelletto” Restoration

The full restoration plan includes structural rehabilitation, asbestos removal, installation of accessibility features, fire safety upgrades, and the integration of new service and technical systems.

The specific restoration works focus on the ground and first floors, targeting original ceilings, frescoed and painted walls, wood and mosaic flooring, and original stone slabs. Historical windows and external decorative finishes will also be carefully restored.

Villa Sevastopulo: A Historic Residence

Villa Sevastopulo was built in 1862 to designs by architect Feliciano Vittori. It is a prime example of the eclectic neo-Gothic style that flourished in late 19th-century Europe, especially among the emerging bourgeoisie seeking to express their status through architecture reminiscent of medieval nobility, yet equipped with the comforts of modern life.

Originally the private residence of industrialist and patriot Angelo Valerio, the villa spans five levels with a total floor area of approximately 550 square metres. Its asymmetrical layout features battlements, octagonal towers, turrets, buttresses, rounded arch windows and sharp corners – a dynamic, jagged composition with strong Lombard-Venetian Gothic influences.

The interiors are richly decorated. The main floor includes a frescoed salon featuring painted panoramic views of Trieste and Monte Valerio, reflecting the romantic taste for landscape and historical memory.

Acquired in 1962 by the University of Trieste, the villa subsequently housed the Biological Institutes of the Faculties of Science and Pharmacy.

Statements

“The restored Castelletto will be returned to our university in all its original splendour, highlighting both its history and its potential for future use,” said Rector Roberto Di Lenarda. “Thanks to the invaluable support of Fondazione CRTrieste – a testament to UniTS’s strong ties with the local area – the Piazzale Europa campus will once again host a true gem, one in which not only our university community, but the entire city, can take pride.”

“The Foundation is proud to contribute to the revival of a place so steeped in history and beauty,” commented Massimo Paniccia, President of Fondazione CRTrieste. “This is not merely a restoration, but an investment in knowledge, culture and the education of future generations. Our collaboration with the University of Trieste demonstrates how institutional synergy can generate meaningful value for the community.”

The eleventh edition of the Summer Learning Modules, the orientation initiative promoted by the University of Trieste for students in their third and fourth year of high school, officially opened today.

Topics explored in this first session’s 17 modules range from mental health to the design of human-centred spaces, from analysing the world through a gender lens to uncovering engineering transformations, from the mysteries of matrix calculus to biomedical analysis, and from global economic forecasts to the shaping of biographical and autobiographical narratives.

The Summer Learning Modules offer high school students an immersive experience of academic life, helping them explore their interests and make a more informed choice about their future university studies. Participation may also be recognised as PCTO (transversal skills and orientation activities) by students’ home schools.

Following last year’s success, the initiative has once again attracted a large number of students, with 700 taking part, and continues to attract students from beyond the regional borders. Participants come not only from Friuli Venezia Giulia but also from Veneto (Treviso, Venice, Belluno), Lombardy (Milan, Bergamo), Emilia-Romagna (Bologna), Tuscany (Florence, Grosseto), and from further afield, such as Puglia (Bari) and Calabria (Cosenza, Crotone, Reggio Calabria). There are also a number of international attendees.

The Summer Learning Modules will continue throughout the week. A second session is scheduled for September, before the start of the school year.

As part of UniTS’s summer orientation programme, prospective students can also take part in guided tours of Piazzale Europa Campus led by student tutors. These tours offer a valuable opportunity to gather information and explore the university's setting, spaces and facilities. To take part in a guided tour, booking in advance is required.

Enrolment is now open for degree programmes at the University of Trieste for the 2025/2026 academic year. Prospective students can register online at: https://portale.units.it/it/studiare/immatricolarsi.

With over 80 active degree programmes, including bachelor’s, master’s and single-cycle degrees, UniTS stands out on the national stage for the breadth and diversity of its academic offering. Covering all major fields of knowledge such as science, technology, healthcare, economics, law, humanities, social sciences and languages, the University continues to see steady growth in student enrolments, in contrast to national trends, thanks to the high quality of its teaching and services.

NEW DEGREE PROGRAMMES

The upcoming academic year will see the launch of four new degree programmes, designed to meet the evolving demands of the job market and to train highly qualified professionals in key sectors such as environmental sustainability, healthcare, applied psychology and European political science.

In addition, the existing Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene, currently available in Trieste, will also be offered at the Pordenone campus. This decision responds to strong and consistent demand in recent years, with applications regularly more than double the number of available places.

New programmes launching in 2025/26:

Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development
Language: English 
Location: Trieste

This Bachelor’s Degree provides a solid foundation in geosciences with an innovative focus on georesources and geological risk in the context of global sustainability. The

programme includes extensive lab work and field activities, with a limited intake of 50 students to ensure a high-quality learning experience. Unique in Italy for both its language of instruction and thematic content, the course qualifies graduates to sit the State Examination for Junior Geologist and to continue on to master’s or doctoral studies.

Rehabilitation Sciences of Healthcare Professions
Language: Italian 
Location: Trieste

This Master's Degree trains professionals with advanced skills in teaching, management and research in the field of rehabilitation. Aimed at graduates in rehabilitation-related healthcare professions, the course prepares students for leadership roles, university-level teaching and research pathways. It features innovative teaching and research content, including tele-rehabilitation, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics and sustainable healthcare models. The curriculum is aligned with the latest developments in the profession and the modern healthcare landscape.

Applied Social and Cognitive Psychology
Language: Italian (with some modules in English) 
Location: Trieste

This Master's Degree trains professionals to work in non-clinical psychology settings, integrating social and cognitive expertise with a strong applied orientation. Students can tailor their learning by choosing from four application areas: community and wellbeing, work and organisations, ergonomics and technology, and people–environment–animals–society. The degree qualifies graduates to practise as psychologists and prepares them for roles across the public, private and third sectors. It stands out for its integrated approach and its focus on topical issues such as sustainability, inclusion and psychosocial wellbeing.

Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG)
Language: English 
Location: Gorizia

PoSIG is an international Master’s Degree taught entirely in English for graduates in political and international studies. Developed by a consortium of thirteen European and Balkan universities, it requires students to attend at least two partner institutions and awards a joint degree. The curriculum covers areas such as comparative politics, European integration, international relations and political theory. The University of Trieste hosts the second semester of the first year, with courses focused on conflict mediation, democracy and European identity. The programme includes policy-making activities and offers opportunities for internships and international mobility.

EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OUTCOMES: STRONG RESULTS FOR UNITS GRADUATES

The effectiveness of UniTS’s academic offering is reflected in graduate employment figures, as shown in the latest AlmaLaurea survey.

One year after graduation, nearly 85% of bachelor’s graduates who do not continue their studies are employed — a rate above the national average of 78.6%. The University also performs well in terms of salary, with a net monthly average of €1,522, higher than both the Italian (€1,492) and Friuli Venezia Giulia (€1,497) averages.

Results are even more striking for master’s graduates: the employment rate one year after graduation reaches 87%, versus 78.6% nationally. The average net monthly salary is €1,607, compared to €1,488 nationally. After five years, the employment rate rises to 93%, exceeding both the regional (92.7%) and national (89.7%) averages. Graduates earn an average of €1,988 per month, with figures reaching €2,014 for two-year master's graduates and €1,949 for those in single-cycle programmes.

STUDENT SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL AID

For the 2025/2026 academic year, UniTS reaffirms its strong commitment to supporting the right to education. It remains one of just nine Italian universities to raise the no-tax area to an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) threshold of €30,000, well

above the national benchmark of €22,000. This ensures full tuition fee exemption for a broader range of students.

Full exemption also continues for recipients of scholarships awarded by ARDiS, the Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education, which are granted to 100% of eligible applicants.

Merit-based financial aid is also confirmed, accounting for around half of all exemptions and reductions, reflecting both the high calibre of the UniTS student body and the University’s commitment to rewarding academic achievement.

GUIDANCE AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

UniTS provides comprehensive support to help future students make informed decisions about their academic path. The Orientation Office offers personalised advice, information sessions and dedicated initiatives — both in person and online — to assist students at every stage of the decision-making process. 

Contacts: +39 040 3473 787 - orientamento@units.it 

A multicentre study by the University of Trieste, conducted by Luca Cegolon (Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine) and Francesca Larese Filon (Department of Occupational Medicine), has just been published in the scientific journal Vaccines. The study examined sensitisation to Thimerosal in 31,948 patients who underwent patch testing between 1997 and 2023 for suspected allergic contact dermatitis, across four centres in the Triveneto area: Trieste, Pordenone, Padua and Trento-Bolzano.

Thimerosal (also known as Merthiolate) is a mercury-based compound consisting of ethylmercury and thiosalicylic acid. It was developed in 1927 as a preservative with antimicrobial properties and widely used from the 1930s onwards in vaccines and various medical products, including topical antiseptics, ointments, nasal sprays, eye drops, and more.

Immune-mediated reactions to mercury-containing products are well documented, the most common being allergic contact dermatitis. Thimerosal was named “Allergen of the Year” in 2002 by the American Contact Dermatitis Society, due to the high prevalence of sensitisation combined with its low clinical relevance.

Most clinically relevant allergic reactions to Thimerosal occur through exposure to cosmetics or ophthalmic preparations, often resulting in facial dermatitis. For this reason, Thimerosal sensitivity is more frequent in women, due to cosmetic use, and in occupational groups such as healthcare workers, who may be exposed through vaccination.

Concerns over potential neurological side effects of Thimerosal began to emerge in the early 1980s, leading to its removal from vaccines in Denmark (1992) and Sweden (1993). Thimerosal-containing vaccines were alleged to impair children's neurodevelopment, increasing the risk of autism, attention deficit disorder and language delay.

In 1999, several major U.S. bodies – in particular the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) – recommended that Thimerosal be removed from all vaccines as soon as possible on a precautionary basis, out of concern for exceeding the cumulative exposure limits to methylmercury set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Although no scientific evidence confirmed these concerns, both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) aligned with these recommendations. In the early 2000s, many EU member states, including Italy, removed Thimerosal from vaccines. On 24th June 2005, the Council of the European Union recommended its removal from all vaccine preparations and medicinal products, as part of the European Commission's Mercury Strategy of 28th January 2005.

As a result of these restrictive policies, both the prevalence and clinical significance of positive Thimerosal reactions in patch testing have declined sharply in Europe. For example, a European study conducted between 2015 and 2018 reported a Thimerosal patch test reaction rate of 2.5%. In the United States, however, Thimerosal sensitisation remains much higher (10–20%), likely due to its continued use as a preservative in certain vaccines, including influenza vaccines.

The University of Trieste study shows a decreasing trend in Thimerosal sensitisation, from 8.13% in 1997 to 0.95% in 2023, with an average rate of 8.41% between 1997 and 2015, and 4.01% during the period 2010–2023.

Sensitisation to Thimerosal was significantly more frequent in patients born between 1981 and 1990, when the substance was still widely used in pharmaceuticals and childhood vaccines. The higher prevalence of positive patch test reactions in healthcare workers likely reflects greater adherence to influenza vaccination in this occupational group compared to others. In fact, until at least 2008, many vaccine formulations authorised in the European Union still contained Thimerosal.

However, patch test reactions to Thimerosal detected after 2000 are likely to be of little or no clinical relevance.

The DNA of a freshwater jellyfish of non-native origin, specifically Asian (Craspedacusta sowerbii), has been detected in the underground waters of the Timavo River inside the Luftloch cave, recently discovered by the Adriatic Speleological Society.

This significant scientific discovery is the result of collaboration between the University of Trieste, the Adriatic Speleological Society (SAS), and the Trieste Civic Museum of Natural History.

The sampling and analyses were carried out by the research group coordinated by Chiara Manfrin of the Department of Life Sciences at UniTS, as part of a project aimed at monitoring biodiversity in subterranean environments through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA). This innovative technique makes it possible to detect genetic traces left by organisms in their habitat, allowing the identification of species that are not easily observed.

‘This method allows us, by filtering water, to detect genetic traces left by organisms in the surrounding environment, thus enabling the identification of species that are difficult to observe directly,’ explains Manfrin. ‘The results revealed the presence of Craspedacusta sowerbii DNA, a non-native species originating in China, harmless to humans but whose effects on Karst ecosystems are under study.’

The discovery follows on from previous observations of the jellyfish in the Slovenian section of the Reka-Timavo since 2016, conducted by the Trieste Civic Museum of Natural History and published in a scientific note by Nicola Bressi and Andrea Colla. The genetic confirmation obtained now further strengthens the hypothesis of the species’ presence in the underground waters of the Karst.

The creation of a new professional profile specialising in climate risk modelling and its correlation with financial markets is the aim of a 15-year agreement signed by the University of Trieste, Generali, and ModeFinance, a TeamSystem Group company and spin-off of the University.

The project, Climate and Financial Risk Analysis in the Market Ecosystem, will support, starting from the next academic year, the recently launched curriculum in Physics of Complex Systems, Climate and Finance within the Master’s Degree in Physics – a programme that is entirely new in the national landscape.

Thanks to the contribution of these three organisations, an additional teaching post will be created within the programme, and a doctoral scholarship in Physics on the topic will be funded. An initial chair has already been funded by the University, as it is considered strategic within the activities of the Department of Physics, recognised as a Department of Excellence.

The new lecturer will join the academic staff at UniTS, bringing innovation to the crucial area of quantitative risk assessment associated with climate change. This will make it possible to train new modelling experts capable of assessing critical issues (markets, finance, damage, floods, rainfall, etc.) linked to the rapid evolution of the climate. The collaboration between the University of Trieste and these two major business players will be further strengthened through their involvement in teaching activities with lectures and seminars, providing students with specific and practical skills, as well as in project and research activities.

The curriculum also already benefits from the active involvement of other institutions and businesses in the Trieste System, including ARPA FVG and List SpA, through various forms of collaboration in teaching.

Roberto Di Lenarda, Rector of the University of Trieste, stated:
‘The creation of this new programme is one of the brightest examples of the innovative character and alignment with labour market needs of our master’s degrees. Together with Generali, who support us in various teaching and research projects, and ModeFinance, we have succeeded in enhancing the skills offered by the Master’s Degree in Physics with an operational approach closely tied to today’s challenges. Our students will benefit from the close relationship with two top-level business partners.’

Carlo Ferraresi, Group Chief Risk Officer of Generali, commented:
‘This initiative is not simply an academic agreement, but the realisation of a shared vision: to build the skills of the future to tackle one of the most complex and urgent challenges of our time. At Generali, we want to contribute to the resilience of communities and businesses, not only through compensation but by anticipating risks, guiding behaviours, and promoting sustainability through mitigation and adaptation to climate change. This requires professionals capable of understanding the complexity of environmental, social, and financial phenomena, and that is precisely the objective of the curriculum and doctoral scholarship we are announcing today. It is no coincidence that this initiative is taking place in Trieste, a city with a world-class scientific ecosystem and home to our historic headquarters.’

Valentino Pediroda, Co-Founder and CEO of ModeFinance, a TeamSystem Group company, concluded:
‘ModeFinance was founded as a spin-off of the University of Trieste and has maintained a solid and continuous relationship with the academic world since its inception. We are particularly proud to launch this collaboration, which aims to train a new highly qualified and multidisciplinary professional profile. The integrated theoretical-practical educational path, with project and research activities, represents a concrete opportunity to respond to current and future market challenges. We believe that professionals trained through this programme will make a significant contribution to climate risk analysis and management and credit rating, in a context where sustainability and financial resilience are increasingly central and interconnected.’

PHOTO: Valentino Pediroda, Co- founder e AD Modefinance; Roberto Di Lenarda, Rettore Università di Trieste; Carlo Ferraresi, Group Chief Risk Officer Generali; Giuseppe Della Ricca, Direttore Dipartimento di Fisica UniTS.

A research team from the University of Trieste and Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital has developed an innovative strategy for preserving fertility in paediatric cancer patients. The strategy involves applying integrated bioengineering and cell therapy techniques to the autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue. This procedure consists of extracting a portion of the ovary before cancer treatment, freezing it, and re-implanting it in the same patient once they have recovered.

In particular, the researchers demonstrated that adding autologous cells derived from blood vessels, isolated from the same sample, to the ovarian tissue can encourage faster revascularisation of the graft, thereby improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients. This approach could make a significant contribution to preserving fertility in affected patients.

The study is the result of collaboration with two major regional research institutions: the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), under the guidance of Prof. Serena Zacchigna (head of the Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory and a lecturer at the University of Trieste), and the international research centre Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste.

The results of the study, conducted on animal models, were published in the prestigious scientific journal Bioactive Materials.

The research group is led by Chiara Agostinis, doctor and researcher at Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital; Roberta Bulla, lecturer at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Trieste; and Giuseppe Ricci, lecturer at the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences at the University of Trieste and Director of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic at Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital.

‘This work lays the groundwork for a follow-up preclinical study,’ explains Chiara Agostinis, ‘in which we plan to explore in more depth the potential and efficacy of our experimental approach, including its possible benefits for the endocrine function of the autotransplanted ovary.’

 ‘Although international guidelines have recently upgraded this procedure from experimental to clinical,’ adds Prof. Giuseppe Ricci, ‘several aspects of the protocol still need to be optimised; this would allow more hospitals and research institutes to adopt it as part of routine clinical care. At present, in Italy, very few centres offer this treatment, making access difficult for patients.’ 

The experimental protocol was developed by Dr Mariagiulia Spazzapan as part of her PhD research and represents a significant innovation in the field of fertility preservation. Dr Lorella Pascolo, a researcher at Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital, carried out post-transplant tissue assessment using X-ray microtomography. The analyses were conducted on the SYRMEP beamline at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste by Dr Elena Longo.

Scientific research has made great strides in the treatment of paediatric cancers, which in most cases are now curable. However, the challenge remains to improve quality of life after treatment, which may involve chemotherapy or radiotherapy that can impair normal sexual development and fertility. 
In recent years, for prepubescent patients, autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue has offered a tangible hope of fertility restoration. Nevertheless, this procedure still has a low success rate due to the lack of oxygen in the transplanted tissue before it becomes connected to the local blood supply. This condition causes stress that leads to the loss of many oocytes, drastically reducing the functionality of the transplanted tissue.

The success achieved by the research team in Trieste offers promising prospects for the development of new clinical solutions capable of giving young cancer patients a better long-term outlook for their health and fertility.

The study was funded by the Italian Ministry of Health (projects RC 23/18 and 20/23 Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital), the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) – Next Generation EU (CUP J53D23001020006 assigned to RB), and the PON Research and Innovation programme, REACT EU 2014–2020.

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Full study published in Bioactive Materials

Endothelial cell supplementation promotes xenograft revascularization during short-term ovarian tissue transplantation

Mariagiulia Spazzapana, Silvia Pegorarob, Roman Vuericha,c, Gabriella Zitob, Andrea Balduitb, Elena Longod, Lorella Pascolob, Miriam Toffolie, Giorgia Meshinie, Alessandro Mangognab, Gloria Rosf, Francesca Buonomob, Federico Romanob, Letizia Lombardellig, Giovanni Papae, Marie-Pierre Piccinnig, Serena Zacchignac,e, Chiara Agostinisb,*, Roberta Bullaa,1, Giuseppe Riccib,e,1.

1. Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
2. Institute for Maternal and Child Health, Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital, Trieste, Italy
3. Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Trieste, Italy
4. Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste SCpA, Basovizza, Trieste, 34149, Italy
5. Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
6. Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy