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 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)

Improving disaster response capacity to environmental disasters and climate change through cooperation between local authorities and rescue teams: this is the goal of the IN4SAFETY project, funded by the European Union under the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Program. The initiative, led by the Municipality of Ajdovščina (Slovenia) and supported by a budget of nearly 750,000 euros, will conclude on September 30, 2025, involving a broad cross-border partnership.

Project partners include the University of Trieste, with the Department of Engineering and Architecture, the Geodetic Institute of Slovenia, the Metropolitan City of Venice, the International Institute of Sociology in Gorizia, and the Firefighters of Nova Gorica. Associated partners include the Association of Slovenian Firefighters, the Health Center of Ajdovščina, the Municipality of Nova Gorica, the Civil Protection of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Municipality of Gorizia, and the Municipality of Duino Aurisina.

The project addresses the need for more coordinated action in managing climate and environmental emergencies in the cross-border area, particularly highlighted by the wildfires that affected the Carso in 2022. Through two joint action plans, the integration of territorial data into WebGIS geoportals, and joint training sessions for rescue units, IN4SAFETY aims to improve prevention and risk management at the regional level.

Among the most innovative solutions foreseen by the project is the creation of an emergency plan for aerial rescue, which integrates digital data on terrain and obstacles with existing WebGIS territorial platforms. The goal is to ensure faster and more efficient interventions in the event of natural disasters.

On January 30, a workshop for the IN4SAFETY project was held at the University of Trieste, bringing together project partners to present objectives and ongoing activities. After an introductory session, attended by the Italian Consul General in Koper, the afternoon featured a practical session dedicated to using QGIS software and analyzing Sentinel satellite images from the ESA COPERNICUS Project. Participants were able to deepen their knowledge of territorial monitoring techniques, thematic map creation, and emergency management using advanced digital tools.

UniTS continues to invest in the well-being of its student community by creating environments that better meet learning and study needs. A major refurbishment has just been completed in several classrooms in the H3 and H2bis buildings, making them more modern, accessible, and comfortable. This was achieved without disrupting teaching activities, thanks to careful planning of the work during break periods.

The renovations focused particularly on classrooms 1A and 1B, each with a capacity of 250 seats, which are used by first- and second-year Medicine and Dentistry students. These spaces have been partially refurbished and upgraded with new technology. Classroom 1C, which accommodates 81 students, has also undergone improvements.

To enhance accessibility and convenience, the electrical system has been restored to ensure the proper functioning of power sockets along the seating bars, allowing students to use their electronic devices easily during lectures.

At the same time, the refurbishment has had positive effects on other classrooms as well: the reuse of desks in excellent condition has improved the Morin classroom and classrooms 4A and 4B in the H2bis building. As a result, the capacity of the Morin classroom has increased from 144 to 177 seats, adding approximately 30 extra places.

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.

PICOSATS - Space Technologies Solutions, the startup created as a spin-off from the University of Trieste and specialised in the design and production of small, state-of-the-art satellite telecommunications systems, has won the first edition of the Innovative SME Award.

The prize is awarded by InnovUp – the association that has represented and united the Italian innovation sector since 2012 – in collaboration with InValue, with the aim of valorising small and medium-sized Italian companies that stand out for their capacity for innovation, technological impact and contribution to the country's economic and social progress.

Selected by Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico ‘Andrea Galvani’ as the winner of the regional level for Friuli Venezia Giulia, PICOSATS went on to win the title of Innovative SME of the Year in the national competition.

The company, based at the Area Science Park in Padriciano, develops proprietary transponders and antennas - RADIOSAT and BEAMSAT - providing services for space applications dedicated to small satellites. The business is based on strategic partnerships with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI).

In November 2023, PICOSATS' technology was integrated on board D-Orbit's ION satellite carrier in SpaceX's Transponder-9 mission, with a very successful in-orbit validation.

PICOSATS outperformed the competition of four other SME finalists, selected by several Italian technology parks. Aortic Lab, a candidate from Piedmont and supported by the Bioindustry Park with Environment Park, Sigma Ingegneria, representing Tuscany and selected by the Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio, Optoelettronica Italia, a company from the province of Trento recommended by Trentino Sviluppo, and Faba, a company from Veneto.

‘The InnovUp award is a great honour for us, especially because of the stature of the other finalists, innovative SMEs that do exceptional work,’ commented Anna Gregorio, professor of Astrophysics at the University of Trieste, founder and president of PICOSATS.

‘The most important aspect of PICOSATS,’ continued the lecturer from the Physics Department at UniTS, ‘is the team! Working with very young boys and girls is each day more enjoyable and stimulating. Added to this, of course, is the technology, which to be at the cutting edge in the space sector is extremely expensive.’

During the award ceremony, Anna Gregorio also mentioned the role of the investment funds - Liftt, Progress Tech Transfer and Galaxia - and all the partners. She concluded by thanking the University of Trieste - where the PICOSATS story began ten years ago - Area Science Park and Polo Tecnologico Alto Adriatico, emphasising the importance of science and technology parks as places of innovation.
 

As of January, the University of Trieste's Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety has officially joined the European network CONRIS (Cooperation Network for Risk, Safety and Security Studies).

This marks the first time an Italian institution has achieved full membership in the international network.

After two years in the role of provisional partner, this membership recognises the degree programme’s quality. The programme is oriented towards health protection, environmental and food safety and public health.

CONRIS brings together university courses that focus on risk management and assessment. Through collaborations between European universities, it promotes scientific research and the exchange of expertise in the field of health and safety. Enrolling in the Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety offers UniTS students new opportunities for academic and professional growth, including participation in Erasmus programmes and events of international relevance.

‘Joining the CONRIS network and participating in Erasmus programmes,’ comments Prof. Francesca Larese Filon, coordinator of the degree course, ‘will guarantee our students the opportunity to enrich their education with high-level international experiences. By attending international schools, students will be able to confront different approaches and methodologies in the management of occupational safety and prevention, thus broadening their skills and professional perspectives.'

CONRIS promotes scientific events such as the European Students Research Conference for Risk Safety Security (ESRC), an international conference where young researchers from all over Europe can present their studies on topics related to risk, safety and security.

In 2024, the ESRC recognised the excellence of the research conducted by Ambra Lorenzini and Elia Buttolo, two students from the degree course who focused on risk assessment related to exposure to nanomaterials in laboratories.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, offered by the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences (DSM), has been taught for three years at the UniTS Gorizia Campus, where lectures and workshops are held to prepare professionals in the fields of prevention and risk assessment.

This degree course, divided into theoretical and practical lessons, laboratories and internships, ensures the development of cross-disciplinary and specific skills. These skills are essential for conducting prevention, verification and monitoring activities in the field of hygiene and environmental safety in residential and workplace environments, food and beverage hygiene, public and veterinary hygiene and health, in the various public and private, health and biomedical roles and professional fields.

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.’

On the night of 27th January, UniTS will light up its façade in red as a poignant reminder that International Holocaust Remembrance Day, dedicated to honouring the victims of the Holocaust, is commemorated worldwide.

The date was established by the United Nations General Assembly because on 27th January 1945 Soviet Red Army troops, engaged in Operation Vistula-Oder towards Germany, liberated the Auschwitz concentration camp, revealing the horrors of the Nazi regime to the international community.

In order to deepen the knowledge of the Shoah and deportations, on Monday 27th January 2025, starting at 16:00, at the Miela Theatre, there will be the 11th edition of the multidisciplinary conference ‘Living with Auschwitz. The atrocity’. 

PROGRAMME: https://portale.units.it/en/events/multidisciplinary-conference-living-auschwitz-atrocity

The initiative, born from the collaboration between the University of Trieste and the cultural association Stazione Ernesto Nathan Rogers, is part of the Rogers' Forum event, financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The complete calendar of commemorations in Trieste can be consulted here: https://www.comune.trieste.it/it/novita-227102/comunicati-227104/27-gennaio-2025-giorno-della-memoria-cerimonia-commemorativa-alla-risiera-di-san-sabba-e-programma-attvita-culturali-291581

Moreover, from 26th February to 3rd March 2025, about forty students will take part in a trip to the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, part of the project ‘Promemoria_Auschwitz’ promoted by the association Deina APS. Information can be found here: https://www.deina.it/promemoria-auschwitz