Andreina Contessa, former Director of the Historical Museum and Park of Miramare Castle and member of the Board of Directors of the University of Trieste since November 2022, has been appointed Director of the new museum complex uniting the Galleria dell’Accademia and the Bargello Museums in Florence.

An accomplished museum curator, art historian, and expert in digital cataloguing and sustainability in museums, Contessa led the profound transformation and enhancement of the renowned cultural site in Trieste, which saw its visitor numbers double. Since 2020, she has also headed the Regional Directorate of Museums in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

In her new prestigious role, which also includes the Medici Chapels, Orsanmichele, Palazzo Davanzati, and Casa Martelli, Contessa will oversee the preservation of some of Italy’s greatest artistic treasures, from Michelangelo’s David to masterpieces by Donatello, Giotto, Cellini, and Ghiberti.

The Rector, Roberto Di Lenarda, and the General Director, Luciana Rozzini, on behalf of the entire academic community, congratulate Dr. Andreina Contessa on this significant appointment, which highlights her outstanding professional and scientific profile and is a source of pride for the University, which has long valued her contribution as a Board member.

The University of Trieste is hosting the second edition of the international Summer School "Sustainability and Digitalization in the Blue Economy", organized by the University as part of the iNEST – Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem (funded by the PNRR – NextGenerationEU) and Interreg Italy–Croatia MareSkill projects.

The initiative involves the Departments of Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics “Bruno de Finetti” (DEAMS), Engineering and Architecture (DIA), and Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences (MIGe), with the support of OGS – National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, and the Port Network Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea.

Entirely held in English, the Summer School welcomes 28 participants, including master’s and doctoral students, from Iran, Croatia, Serbia, Pakistan, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, Moldova, and Italy. The initiative offers multidisciplinary training on sustainability and digitalization in the Blue Economy, with a focus on port systems, shipbuilding, maritime transport, and marine resource management.

The program includes lectures, workshops, group activities, and technical visits to the Port of Trieste, the Groupe Beneteau Italia shipyard, the Fincantieri SpA shipyard in Monfalcone, the San Giovanni di Duino water system, and the wastewater treatment plant managed by AcegasApsAmga.

These visits give participants the opportunity to explore technologies, processes, and sustainable strategies adopted by leading industrial and infrastructure centers in the Blue Economy.

Lectures are delivered by professors and experts from the University of Trieste and OGS on topics such as digital innovation in ship design, port intermodality, decarbonization in maritime transport, marine Digital Twins, and artificial intelligence applied to the Blue Economy. The week will conclude with a project workshop, where participants will present innovative ideas inspired by the topics addressed.

This initiative is a tangible example of international cooperation, networking, multidisciplinarity, and the connection between academia, industry, and institutions, which are at the core of the iNEST project.

The INEST Summer School is funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.5 – Creation and strengthening of “Innovation Ecosystems for Sustainability,” project iNEST – Interconnected Nord-Est Innovation Ecosystem, Cross-Cutting Activity CC4 “Education & Lifelong Learning” – CUP J43C22000320006 – Funded by the European Union, NextGenerationEU.

The University of Trieste has signed a four-year Framework Agreement with the ‘Mattador’ Association to acquire, preserve and promote the cultural works created over its first 15 years of activity in the audiovisual and creative fields.

The association is the creator of the International Mattador Screenwriting Award dedicated to Matteo Caenazzo, aimed at young screenwriters, directors and concept designers aged between 16 and 30, both Italian and international. Over the years, this Trieste-based initiative has gained international recognition and prestige.

Through UniTS Museum Services (smaTs), the University of Trieste will gradually acquire the screenplays, short films, backstage videos and published books, overseeing their restoration, preservation, digitisation and promotion. A dedicated multimedia archive will be established – the Matteo Caenazzo fund and Mattador Award – which will serve as the foundation for cultural activities, public and social engagement initiatives designed to involve young people and the university community in the audiovisual and creative sectors.

The ‘Mattador’ cultural association has, over the course of its work, awarded more than 130 young authors, 80% of whom have found employment in the film industry. It has also granted over 80 scholarships and organised 15 Artist Prizes.

The initiative is dedicated to Matteo Caenazzo, a talented and eclectic young artist from Trieste, who graduated in decorative painting at the city’s art school and was awarded an honorary degree in film by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. He expressed himself through painting, photography, video and writing, eventually embracing screenwriting. His artistic and professional dream was tragically cut short by his premature death at just 23 years old. By fostering creativity, research and outreach in the audiovisual sector, the University of Trieste will contribute to enabling new young talents to flourish in the spirit of Matteo’s poetic vision and passions.

Matteo Parenzan, UniTS student and Paralympic table tennis champion, adds another gem to his extraordinary sporting career by winning the Para Showcase in Las Vegas, an invite-only tournament that brought together the world's top eight athletes in class 6 Paralympic table tennis. 

It was a flawless victory, with five wins in as many matches, topped off with a perfect final against the American Ian Seidenfeld, who was defeated 3-0.

The triumph in the glittering Orleans Arena reaffirmed the talent and even more so the mental strength of the young champion from Trieste, who delivered a polished performance throughout the tournament, particularly in the final. ‘It was tough mentally,’ he said, ‘but I managed to stay focused and defuse my opponent's game. Even if it doesn't count in the rankings, this win gives me confidence, because I competed against all the strongest players and they were all highly motivated.’

At 22, Parenzan has already won everything and will be called upon to prove himself again: after becoming world champion in Granada in 2022, European champion in Sheffield in 2023 and Paralympic gold medallist in Paris in 2024, he is now defending his leading role on the international scene. But it is through his daily determination and desire to improve that he continues to build his career.

A student of Political and Administrative Sciences at the University of Trieste, Matteo is a prime example of the illustrious dual student-athlete career: dedicating the same care, concentration and passion to both sports competitions and his university studies. From Las Vegas, to Paris, to Piazzale Europa.

Seven student-athletes from the University of Trieste will represent Italy at the upcoming FISU World University Games, scheduled from 16th to 27th July in the German region of Rhine-Ruhr. 

The top international competition dedicated to university sports, heir to the historic Universiade, will see one of the largest Italian contingents ever, with 219 athletes from 57 universities competing in 15 disciplines.

UniTS will contribute with Ilaria Corazza (Political and Administrative Sciences), already a gold and silver medallist in Chengdu in 2023, who will compete in single scull (solo rowing), while Tommaso Vianello (Strategy, Consultancy and Business Logistics) will take to the water in the mixed quadruple sculls (mixed rowing). The national water polo women’s team will be counting on the goals scored by Pallanuoto Trieste's members Giorgia Klatowski (Law), Emma De March (Science and Technology for the Environment and Nature) and Guya Zizza (Psychology). In compound archery, Elisa Bazzichetto (Biology) and Antonio Brunello (Naval Engineering) will take to the platform.

The competitions will take place in six cities, including Bochum, Duisburg and Essen, with Italy determined to prove its leading role in world university sport after finishing fourth in the medal table at the previous edition.

For many students, participation in the World University Games represents the pinnacle of a route that combines academic commitment and sporting ambition, against the backdrop of a veritable university Olympics. 

The University of Trieste, which strongly supports the dual careers of its student-athletes by providing support that allow them to balance the demands of both competitive sport and university education, is preparing to enthusiastically follow the adventures of the ‘magnificent 7’ at the upcoming World University Games.

A new international study, coordinated by Francesca Malfatti, Professor of Microbiology at the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Trieste, has revealed how black carbon can significantly influence microbial communities in the marine environment, with important implications for the global carbon cycle and the functioning of ocean ecosystems. The research, published in the journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research, involved a team of researchers from the Oceanography Department of the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), Elettra and several French and Austrian research institutions.

Black carbon, the focus of the study, is a residue resulting from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, wood, biomass or biofuels. It makes up a significant fraction of atmospheric particulate matter and can reach the ocean through rain, wind or river runoff. Due to its ability to absorb heat, it also contributes to global warming.

Through experiments carried out in the Ligurian and Adriatic Seas, the researchers simulated high concentrations of black carbon (24 mg per litre) to observe how marine microbial communities reacted to its presence. The results showed that black carbon can stimulate the growth of heterotrophic prokaryotic microorganisms, which feed on organic matter in the water, and increase the production of organic carbon, making it available to other marine organisms.

However, the same experiments showed a decrease in enzymatic activity, which normally promotes the degradation of organic matter, and a reduced presence of viruses. This suggests that black carbon alters the microbial balance, creating environmental micro-niches in which microorganisms with specific metabolic functions proliferate.

These results help to better understand the functioning of the so-called ‘microbial carbon pump’ (MCP), a mechanism that transforms organic matter into more stable forms, capable of remaining in the ocean for long periods and thus contributing to carbon storage. Studying the role of black carbon, especially that of anthropogenic origin, is therefore essential for improving climate change models and developing effective mitigation strategies.

The Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo hosted a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral agreement between Italy and Egypt on scientific and technological cooperation, on the occasion of Italian Research Day in the World (giornata della ricerca italiana nel mondo).

The University of Trieste was represented by Vice-Rector Valter Sergo, who spoke during the session dedicated to opportunities for collaboration between universities and industry.

In his speech, Sergo presented Trieste as ‘a city with one of the highest densities of researchers in relation to its population’, emphasising the role of the University as the central hub of an integrated scientific system, open to international engagement and strongly oriented towards innovation.

It is not only an ideal learning environment for students and researchers, but also an attractive environment for high-tech companies interested in investing in research and development.

The event was promoted by the Italian Embassy in Cairo in collaboration with the Science, Technology and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF), the department of the Egyptian Ministry of Research responsible for implementing the three-year executive programme provided for in the agreement.

In addition to presenting the projects in progress in the period 2024–2026, the celebration fostered discussion on strategic issues between universities and companies from both countries: from artificial intelligence to space technologies, and from cultural heritage to medicine, the global challenges of climate and the water-energy-food nexus.

The University of Trieste's participation is part of the broader framework of the University's international relations, which for years has promoted scientific and academic cooperation with partners in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Middle East.

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.

Federico Rosei, Professor of Industrial Chemistry at the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Trieste, has been appointed Full Member of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (ITATEC), an institution that brings together outstanding figures in the fields of engineering, technology and applied sciences.

Founded in 2022 with the support of the Lincean Academy and currently in the process of official recognition, the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology aims to promote technical and scientific culture at both national and international level.

ITATEC currently has 122 members, including founding members, full members (appointed on the basis of outstanding scientific merit), junior members (researchers under 40) and councillors (from companies, organisations and institutions operating in relevant sectors). Among its key objectives are the exchange of knowledge between universities, research bodies and industry, the development of shared positions on strategic issues, the provision of advice to public and private decision-makers, and the representation of the Italian technical-scientific community at European level.

The Academy also aspires to serve as Italy’s official representative within the European Council of Applied Sciences, Technologies and Engineering (Euro-CASE), an organisation that brings together national academies from 23 European countries and provides high-level scientific and technological advice to European institutions, governments, businesses and organisations.

Professor Rosei adds his membership of ITATEC to a distinguished list of affiliations with international academies and scientific societies, including the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Materials Research Society, as well as honours awarded by the Canadian Association of Physicists, the American Vacuum Society and the International Conference on Nanoenergy and Nanosystems.