Trieste once again takes centre stage as hub of science communication, with the local selections of FameLab 2025 taking place. The competition, which challenges students, researchers and research fellows to introduce a scientific topic in their field of study in just three minutes, will take place on Friday 4th April 2025, from 9:00 to 13:00, in Sala Luttazzi (Warehouse 26, Trieste Old Port). 

Participants will have to capture the attention of a non-expert audience without the aid of projections or videos, relying solely on their own talent and perhaps with the addition of supporting objects that do not require complex set-ups. Each contestant will present two speeches of a three-minute duration: one during the pre-selection phase and, if they qualify, one during the final selection. At the end of the day, the jury will elect the two winners who will go on to the next stage of the competition.

The initiative also includes a free seminar, held on 24th March in the Polo Giovani Toti (Via del Castello 1, Trieste), where science communicator Donato Ramani and actress Daniela Gattorno will offer advice on narrative structure and stage performance. 

Next steps

The winners of the local selection will be invited to Perugia from 13th to 15th June 2025 to take part in the FameLab Masterclass, an intensive workshop where international experts will guide them in refining their communication skills. Afterwards, the two contestants will take part in the national final, also in Perugia, and scheduled for 27th September 2025. Finally, the winner of FameLab Italia 2025 will represent the country in the international final at the end of November, where they will compete against talents from all over the world.

Requirements

The competition is open to researchers, research assistants, research and development professionals (with a master's degree) or post-graduate students born after 1st January 1990. 

Applicants must come from a STEM field, medical or humanities background (e.g., anthropology, archaeology, economics, philosophy, geography, law, linguistics, literature, psychology, political science, sociology, history and art history). 

In addition, people who have already participated in the national final or masterclass in previous editions or who have worked professionally in the field of science communication are not permitted to enter.

Prizes

The winner of the local selection will be awarded a cash prize of € 400 and will have the opportunity to participate in the national final and masterclass. In addition, they will be able to attend a course of the Master in Science Communication ‘Franco Prattico’ at SISSA in Trieste. 

The runner-up will also receive a cash prize of € 200 and attend both the national final and the masterclass.

Registration

Registration is done through an online form, and is open until Thursday 27th March 2025. 

Info on www.immaginarioscientifico.it; info@immaginarioscientifico.it. 

The local selection is organised by Immaginario Scientifico Science Museum, the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, SISSA – International School of Advanced Studies and the Municipality of Trieste, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding ‘Trieste City of Knowledge’.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the United Nations in 2015 and observed on 11 th February, recognises the crucial role women play in the global scientific community.

The aim of this day is to promote full and equal participation of women in science, overcoming historical and cultural barriers that have often hindered their access to STEM careers.

According to recent UNESCO data, only 33% of researchers worldwide are women, with even lower figures in key fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics. Furthermore, women are less likely to receive research funding or hold leadership positions in scientific institutions.

The European Commission’s "SHE Figures" report reveals that women make up just 24% of senior positions in universities and research centres across Europe. This gap is even wider in the private sector and industry, where women in leadership roles related to science and innovation remain a minority.

Promoting gender equality in science is not just a matter of social justice; it means valuing diverse talents and perspectives, fostering a more inclusive and innovative scientific community, and improving our ability to tackle global challenges effectively.

UniTS in numbers (Source: Italian Ministry of Universities and Research - MUR)
The majority of students at our university are women, accounting for 60% of enrolments.
In the field of Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction, women make up 28%, while in Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, they account for nearly 50%.
In both areas, the presence of women has increased significantly compared to a decade ago.

 

The loss of genetic diversity exposes many species to a higher risk of extinction, making them more vulnerable to ongoing environmental changes. However, the good news is that effective strategies can be implemented to counteract this phenomenon, and we can all play a role in supporting them.

This is the key finding of a study conducted by a team of 57 scientists from 20 countries, who analysed over 80,000 scientific papers published in the last thirty years. Their research synthesises evidence of genetic diversity loss in 628 species (including animals, plants, fungi, and chromists) across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature (read the article), highlights a concerning decline in genetic variability across many species: a crucial factor for their resilience and ability to adapt to environmental changes.

Among the study’s authors is Chiara Manfrin, a zoologist and researcher at the University of Trieste’s Department of Life Sciences, who contributed to the analysis of genetic variability loss in aquatic species. ‘This was a meticulous process of data collection and filtering, as many studies did not meet the minimum requirements for genetic information and were therefore excluded from the dataset,’ explains Manfrin. ‘My role involved analysing the selected articles using a keyword-based approach.’

‘Each researcher,’ she continues, ‘contributed their dataset to a global collection of genetic data essential for assessing genetic diversity loss. Specifically, I focused on studies concerning aquatic fauna.’

The study revealed that genetic diversity loss is more pronounced in species facing significant environmental pressures. Habitat destruction, urban expansion, intensive agriculture, the introduction of new diseases, the effects of natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, and direct human activities (including hunting and deforestation) are among the primary drivers. Populations with reduced genetic variability are more vulnerable and less able to adapt to new environmental conditions, increasing their long-term extinction risk.

However, the research also shows that conservation strategies can not only mitigate genetic diversity loss but even promote its recovery. Protecting natural habitats and maintaining connections between populations enable genetic exchange between different groups, strengthening their resilience. Targeted restocking with individuals from genetically diverse populations has already yielded positive results in numerous conservation projects.

Advances in genetic monitoring technologies, such as DNA sequencing and advanced data analysis, are providing increasingly precise tools for understanding biodiversity trends and implementing targeted conservation efforts.

The study also emphasises the importance of everyday actions that can help preserve genetic diversity. Protecting biodiversity starts locally, for example, by planting native species in gardens to support habitat connectivity and provide resources for pollinators, choosing traditional agricultural varieties to maintain genetic richness in the food system, or collaborating with conservation groups to protect endangered species. Even small actions, such as avoiding the unintentional transport of plants, seeds, or soil to new areas to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.

For a broader, public-oriented overview of the study, The Conversation has published an in-depth article (read the article) explaining the research findings and their implications for biodiversity conservation.

World Cancer Day is observed on 4th February, promoted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness of the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and scientific research in the fight against cancer. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the scientific community’s dedication to tackling a disease that remains one of the greatest global health challenges.

This year, we want to highlight that cancer research is not limited to the medical and clinical fields but involves a vast network of multidisciplinary expertise. Biologists, chemists, engineers, and computer scientists also contribute their knowledge to develop new prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies.

From studying the biological mechanisms behind tumour transformation to developing new drugs and biomarkers, and applying computational models to analyse genetic data and identify targeted therapies—science is exploring multiple avenues to combat cancer.

On this occasion, we share the diverse and complementary approaches in oncology research through the voices of UniTS researchers.

Giannino DEL SAL – Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences

‘We study how cancerous cells communicate with the surrounding tissue, both in the early stages of the disease and during metastasis. We analyse how the signals exchanged in this communication promote tumour growth and enable cancer cells to resist therapies, helping us identify weak points to target.

In this project, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the early phases, when a competition arises between transforming cells and healthy ones in an otherwise normal tissue. Understanding these dynamics will help us develop strategies to intervene earlier and more effectively against cancer.

Our goal is to provide tools to halt cancer in its earliest stages, or even prevent it entirely, as well as to improve treatment strategies for advanced disease and therapy-resistant cases.’

Sabrina PRICL – Chemical Engineering, Department of Engineering and Architecture

‘From high-performance computational design to in vivo experimentation, we collaborate with several international research teams to develop nanomedicines and nanocarriers for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and imaging.

Thanks to funding from AIRC, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the European Commission, and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), we integrate in silico techniques with experimental validation to study oncogenes: altered genes that can drive uncontrolled cell growth and contribute to cancer development. This approach opens new avenues for the creation of more effective and targeted treatments.

Our next challenges? Enhancing treatment selectivity, reducing side effects, and translating our discoveries into widely accessible clinical solutions.’

Giulio CARAVAGNA – Computer Science, and Alice ANTONELLO – PhD in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Geosciences

‘In collaboration with the Aviano Cancer Research and Treatment Centre and San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, we have developed computational models to study the behaviour of certain leukaemias. The results we are finalising are highly promising, helping us clarify molecular mechanisms that drive disease progression over time.

This project, funded by an AIRC grant for researchers under 40, has also sparked new research questions: Can these tools be applied to other cancers? Can we use a systematic approach to characterise disease evolution over time and uncover vulnerabilities?’ (G. Caravagna)

‘In November 2024, I was awarded a three-year AIRC Italy Post-Doc Fellowship for PhD researchers. My project applies artificial intelligence methods to genomic data from DNA to study the relationship between specific mutations and exposure to mutagens—substances or factors that can cause DNA alterations.

This is a crucial first step in identifying risk factors linked to certain diseases and developing strategies to counteract their effects.’ (A. Antonello)

Backed by a PR FESR FVG research and development grant of nearly one million euros, the WINDS, Wing-Implemented Navigation for Decarbonized Shipping project has officially commenced, with the University of Trieste among its key participants.

What is the project about?

WINDS aims to design and implement an innovative system that integrates wind power into maritime propulsion, reducing fuel consumption and lowering pollutant emissions in the shipping industry.

The mareFVG cluster will lead project management and oversee the dissemination of results.

The role of UniTS

The University will conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the vessel involved in the project, following the ISO 14040 standard. LCA is a methodology used to assess the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle.

With UniTS’s contribution, the project will:

• Optimise material selection and production phases wherever possible, reducing the system’s overall impact through a circular ecodesign approach.
• Demonstrate that the developed system complies with international regulations and sustainability targets for the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
• Identify inefficiencies within the life cycle to lower operational costs and environmental impact, making the system even more attractive to industry operators.
• Lay the groundwork for future development of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) at the European level, alongside industry-specific certifications and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) – a third-party certification that allows for direct comparison of the environmental impact of similar products. In this case, the Wing Sail Module will be assessed against competing systems.

Finally, as one of the first LCA studies in the maritime sector, and certainly the first focused on wind propulsion technologies for decarbonisation, the research carried out by UniTS is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the entire industry.

A research group from the University of Trieste has been actively participating in the Steering Committee Meeting of the Innovablue research project in Portorož, Slovenia. The Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences (DEAMS) is a partner in this initiative.

The Innovablue project, funded by the Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic Ionian (ADRION) program, aims to support the development of the blue economy in the Adriatic-Ionian area by promoting innovative marine technologies and fostering a transnational collaboration network.

With a planned duration from July 2024 to December 2026 and a total budget of over €1.7 million, the project focuses on strengthening innovation capabilities through cooperation among key industry players.

DEAMS is actively involved in Work Package 1 – Innovation in the Blue Economy – and Work Package 2 – Regulatory Frameworks for Innovation. The department is currently working on updating the Map of Excellence from the Innovamare project and expanding it to include centers of excellence in the ADRION region. This involves integrating new blue economy stakeholders and testing sites for marine technologies such as underwater robotics and sensors.

The research team, comprising Guido Bortoluzzi (DEAMS), Alberto Dreassi (DEAMS), Rubina Romanello (DEAMS), Chiara Marinelli (DEAMS), Alberto Marinò (DIA), Vittorio Bucci (DIA), and Serena Bertagna (DIA), also provides support for the comparative analysis of existing regional and national regulations on blue technologies. Their goal is to identify regulatory obstacles and propose solutions to accelerate development and experimentation.

"After excellence projects like Innovamare and Blueair," comments Guido Bortoluzzi, professor of Business Economics and Management and coordinator of the Trieste working group, "UniTS is once again engaged in an international project on the blue economy. This highlights the role of our research in contributing to regional sustainable development and strengthens our relationships with key partners in the Balkan area."

The partnership network includes major institutions from the Adriatic-Ionian region, which spans 10 countries (only four of which are part of the European Union). Key partners include the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the Innovation Fund of Montenegro, Unioncamere Veneto, Technology Park Ljubljana Ltd., Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies), the Region of Crete, and the Innovation Center of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade.

During the meeting in Portorož, the partners engaged with the Faculty of Maritime and Transport at the University of Ljubljana and the Marine Biology Station in Piran to explore new research synergies. Additionally, discussions with project stakeholders took place to identify common priorities and initiatives.

Friuli Venezia Giulia maintains the positive trend of post-pandemic recovery as regards the flow of foreign researchers and lecturers from institutions and incoming ones: this is what emerges from the annual survey ‘Mobility of Knowledge’ carried out by Area Science Park, which has been collecting the main data on students, researchers and lecturers of SiS FVG partner research institutions since 2005.

The survey reveals that there were a total of 36,925 students enrolled in the academic year 2022/2023, 7% of whom were foreign nationals (in the academic year 2021/2022, there were 36,459 students enrolled, of whom 6% were foreigners). Female students account for 56% of those enrolled (a 1% increase over the last survey) and mainly attend degree courses in the Humanities or Social Sciences.

The number of incoming students, 707 in total, is finally approaching pre-pandemic figures. Of this target group, 75% have European citizenship, 53% are women and 47% belong to the areas of Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth and Universe Sciences. On the other hand, there are 1,104 students enrolled in outgoing mobility: EU countries are the destination of 93% of this target group, 53% of whom are students enrolled on courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences.

As far as researchers and lecturers working in scientific institutions that are part of the Scientific and Innovation System - SiS FVG are concerned, in 2023 their presence reached 3,641. Although up by about 280 compared to 2022, the overall number nevertheless remains far from the numbers recorded before the pandemic (they were 6,960 in 2019). As for the foreign component in force at SiS FVG institutions, 2023 saw the largest increase in the last four years, rising from 636 to 804, although the numbers still remain far from pre-pandemic levels.

In contrast, incoming mobility of researchers and lecturers increased by almost 4,000 to 7,854. Outgoing mobility also saw an increase in 2023, with 75 trips abroad, mainly to EU European countries (43%) but also to Asian countries (20%, excluding India and China).

Adding up all the foreigners present in the institutions of the FVG Science and Innovation System, there is a further strong increase compared to the previous year, from 7,597 to 11,934 presences, a figure that is close to that recorded before the pandemic (about 14,000).

See the complete survey, available in Italian and English. https://www.areasciencepark.it/pubblicato-il-report-mobilita-della-conoscenza-2024/

A study carried out by the University of Trieste in collaboration with Yale University, published by Nature Npj Digital Medicine, has entered the top ten of the most cited articles in 2024 in the prestigious scientific journal, coming eighth in the ranking drawn up by the publisher.

The article entitled ‘Optimization of hepatological clinical guidelines interpretation by large language models: a retrieval augmented generation-based framework’ saw the contribution of an interdisciplinary UniTS research team, consisting of Simone Kresevic, PhD student in Biomedical and Clinical Engineering, Miloš Ajčević and Agostino Accardo from the Department of Engineering and Architecture, and Lory Saveria Crocè, gastroenterologist from the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences.

The study benefited from the collaboration between the group of researchers from the University of Trieste and the Yale School of Medicine, in particular the Human+Artificial Intelligence in Medicine centre in New Heaven (Connecticut, USA), with contributions from Dennis L. Shung, director of the research laboratory, and Mauro Giuffrè, co-authors of the paper.

The researchers explored the use of generative AI systems capable of understanding and generating human language by processing large amounts of data, Large Language Models (LLM), to optimise clinical decision support in the field of medicine.

In this study, a digital infrastructure (framework) based on LLM was therefore developed which, through the correct formatting of clinical guidelines, could improve their consultation and application in clinical practice.

The research focuses, in particular, on the integration of these Artificial Intelligence models to improve the interpretation of medical guidelines relating to the management of chronic infections caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

This system, using Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) techniques, a method of extracting relevant information from clinical guidelines, reprocessing it using LLM and, through the generative process, providing answers to guideline-related questions in a clear and accurately structured manner.

The research activity now continues to expand the functioning of the framework on different liver diseases. This strand of research could offer a system capable of supporting physicians with decisions based on the best available scientific evidence.

‘With this approach,’ explains Dr Simone Kresevic, first author of the article together with Mauro Giuffrè, ‘we are laying the foundation for using artificial intelligence in everyday clinical practice. Evidence-based medicine, a fundamental pillar of modern medicine, aims to integrate the best available scientific evidence with clinical experience and patients' needs. However, the complexity and volume of clinical guidelines often represent a significant barrier in their application.'

'Through this framework,' Kresevic concludes, ‘we can offer a tool to support the clinician and thus support evidence-based and personalised medicine, bridging the gap between high-quality research and practical healthcare, especially in complex areas such as hepatology.’

The objective of KNIGHT (Knowledge base for Nile Geo-Hazards Tackling) is to strengthen resilience to geo-hazards and climate challenges along the Nile corridor, increasing the capacity to manage emergencies. It is a project promoted by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) that sees participation from the Department of Engineering and Architecture (DIA) at the University of Trieste.

The project, co-financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, was officially launched on 20th January. It will last two years and counts among its partners the Municipality of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Cooperative Shoreline, the Faculty of Science at the Damietta University (Egypt) and the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG, Egypt).

KNIGHT is aimed at natural disaster mitigation and emergency management. More specifically, it aims to strengthen the resilience of the natural, economic and cultural heritage along the Nile River and its delta. It does so by supporting the review of the national plan for natural hazard mitigation with data, models and innovative technologies.

Within this highly multi-disciplinary project, a research team from the University of Trieste composed of Chiara Bedon (DIA), Marco Fasan (DIA) and Fabio Romanelli (MIGe) will focus on advanced structural and seismological analysis, also using innovative methods and technologies. Their goal is to characterise and assess the seismic risk and vulnerability of some case-study buildings that will be identified along the course of the Nile. All this will contribute to drawing up natural risk exposure maps, the identification of optimal strategies for the prevention of natural disasters, and the establishment of emergency management procedures.

The collaboration between the partners will allow for the sharing of data that will be analysed, standardised and integrated into a database using a GIS platform, making it possible to identify the areas most subject to anthropic and/or natural stress (and therefore most vulnerable), and to assess natural hazards and possible cascading risks in order to mitigate them.

‘There are three main activities that will be carried out. First of all, work will be done to develop a data and knowledge base for the integrated assessment of geological and environmental risks at selected sites along the Nile, the delta and the surrounding coastal areas. At the same time, new methodologies for integrating multi-hazard scenarios and environmental monitoring will be tested at key sites along the course of the Nile, ranging from the Aswan Dam to the coastal areas of the delta, with a special focus on the area of Damietta, a city of significant economic and social interest. Finally, specialised training, technology transfer, citizen-science and awareness-raising activities will also be carried out,' says Antonella Peresan, seismologist at OGS and coordinator of the project.

‘These activities,’ concludes Peresan, ’will over the 24 months of the project lead to concrete and useful products for the future: the creation of an archive of data and knowledge and the development of shared guidelines to improve the resilience of the natural and environmental heritage in the area of intervention, an area where natural events and climate change can significantly affect socio-economic growth.’

Giuseppe Grimaldi, a research assistant in Cultural Anthropology at the Department of Humanities of the University of Trieste, has been awarded the 2024 prize of the Italian Society of Applied Anthropology (SIAA) for the best collaborative and applied research with the project O.S.A.RE. - Osservatorio Sfruttamento Agricolo e Resistenze (Observatory on Agricultural Exploitation and Resistance).

The objectives achieved by O.S.A.RE. contribute to combating the exploitation and illegal brokerage of workers, providing data on the spread of the phenomenon and best practices for systemic projects that support the fight against these social scourges. According to the SIAA judging committee, the project, which focused on sensitive areas in Campania, stood out for ‘its significant social impact and multi-level interaction, as well as the high degree of visibility and recognition of the anthropological contribution.’

The project presented by the UniTS research assistant demonstrates, according to the SIAA, ‘how the production of ethnographic knowledge can contribute to generating concrete impacts on public and institutional culture, fostering virtuous local policies that are more respectful of fundamental human rights.’

This motivation aligns with the core mission of the Italian Society of Applied Anthropology, active since 2013 with the aim of promoting the social use of anthropological knowledge and practices in the public sphere, the world of work, decision-making processes, and participatory democracy in Italy and abroad.

‘O.S.A.RE – explains Dr Giuseppe Grimaldi – was made possible thanks to the support and synergy between public institutions, such as the Campania Region and the University of Salerno, activist groups in Campania – particularly the Ex Canapificio social centre, which was the lead organisation of the project – and a diverse group of residents from the area where the intervention took place, who contributed decisively to its realisation.’

O.S.A.RE involved territories such as the Piana del Sele and the Volturno Castle area, which face challenges related to the fragility of their economic fabric, exacerbated by the presence of criminal organisations that cause poverty and social distress.

The project sought to shed light – through a combination of quantitative analysis and ethnography – on the systemic nature of exploitation in the agricultural sector. Throughout its implementation, it was grounded in co-research (a collaborative method where creating knowledge also builds organisation and autonomy), demonstrating how the experience of those subjected to exploitation is crucial for defining effective countermeasures, both in specific territories and in interactions with institutions.

Over the course of the project, more than 500 people were interviewed. Of these, based on the exploitation indicators outlined in the law against the illegal brokerage of workers, nearly 70% were found to be in conditions of ‘severe worker exploitation.’ The data was presented to institutional forums addressing the illegal brokerage of workers, and the methodology underlying O.S.A.RE was recognised as a best practice used in systemic initiatives to tackle worker exploitation.

‘O.S.A.RE – concludes Grimaldi – highlighted, in particular, how ineffective any approach to combating worker exploitation is if it does not address the legal, economic, and social systems upon which it is founded. A phenomenon that, albeit in different forms depending on the degree of vulnerability, affects all agricultural labourers, regardless of nationality.’