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Francesco Maisano, MD , is Full Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan) since 2021, where he also serves as Director of the Cardiac Surgery Clinic and of the Valve Center at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital. From 2014 to 2020 he held the Chair of Cardiac Surgery and directed the Department at University Hospital Zurich. Education & Training 1990 – MD, Catholic University of Rome 1994 – Clinical Fellowship, University of Alabama at Birmingham 1995 – Specialization in Cardiac Surgery, La Sapienza University of Rome Research Interests Professor Maisano’s work centres on innovative therapies for heart-valve disease, spanning surgical reconstruction, catheter-based interventions (TAVI, MitraClip, transcatheter tricuspid devices), and hybrid approaches. He leads translational programmes in biomedical engineering, multimodality cardiac imaging, and artificial-intelligence-guided interventions, with emphasis on the multidisciplinary “Heart Team” model for complex cardiovascular disease. His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate intense activity in transcatheter mitral and tricuspid repair, long-term durability of surgical mitral repair, AI-driven procedural guidance, and renal protection strategies during mechanical circulatory support. A dominant theme is translating imaging innovations and device concepts into first-in-human studies and large-scale registries. Scientific Awards & Recognitions European Society of Cardiology Silver Medal (2018) ICI Lifetime Achievement in Research & Teaching (2018) ICI Best Technology Parade Presentation (2010) C. Walton Lillehei Young Investigator Award (1999) Leadership & Grants He directs multiple postgraduate programmes, including Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) tracks at the University of Zurich in multimodality imaging, aortic valve, and mitral–tricuspid interventions. He is principal investigator on investigator-initiated grants, coordinates industry-partnered device trials, and mentors numerous doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. His team has filed >24 patents and spun off several cardiovascular start-ups. Labs & Teams At IRCCS San Raffaele he leads the Valve Science Center , a multidisciplinary hub integrating cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, imaging specialists, biomedical engineers, and data scientists focused on next-generation valve repair/replacement technologies and personalised cardiovascular medicine.

• Cardiac Surgery
• Heart Valve Disease
• Transcatheter Valve Interventions
• +7 more

DE BONIS MICHELE is a Professor at San Raffaele Vita-Salute University , where he serves as the Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery School. He is also the Chief of the Advanced and Research Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit at Ospedale San Raffaele , actively contributing to clinical and academic advancements in cardiovascular surgery since 2017. Research Interests : His work focuses on complex cardiac surgical techniques, including mitral and tricuspid valve repair, transcatheter interventions, and management of complications like pseudoaneurysms and thrombotic events. His recent publications highlight innovations in cardioplegia delivery, CT imaging for endocarditis, and outcomes of surgical and transcatheter approaches. Scientific Awards and Leadership : He has received notable awards such as the Premio "Eccellenze Lucane" (2018), Premio Nazionale Ciociaria (2005), and Premio di Medicina "Prof. Potito Petrone" (1995). He has held key roles in international societies, including President of the European Society of Cardiology's Cardiovascular Surgery Working Group (2014-2016) and Scientific Director of ESC/EACTS guidelines task forces. Teaching and Editorial Contributions : He supervises internships in surgery and cardiovascular diseases for the 6-year Master's Degree in Medicine and Surgery. He also serves as Editor-in-Chief and editorial board member for the International Journal of Cardiology .

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Heart Valve Repair and Replacement
• Cardiac Imaging
• +3 more

Giuseppe Banfi is a Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, where he has held a full academic position since 2006. His career spans over three decades, combining clinical laboratory leadership with academic contributions in aging, musculoskeletal health, and nutritional biochemistry. Graduated Medicine (1984, University of Pavia) Specialized in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine (1988, University of Milan) His research focuses on clinical biochemistry applications in geriatrics, musculoskeletal disorders, and immuno-nutrition. Recent publications highlight innovations in laboratory medicine value-based models, sarcopenia tele-rehabilitation platforms, and aging-related fall prevention strategies. Journal collaborations span Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine and Endocrine Reviews . Current work involves multidisciplinary integration of oral health in orthopedic surgery, telemedicine effectiveness for musculoskeletal conditions, and vitamin D supplementation guidelines. His leadership in scientific research programs at Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute and San Donato Foundation Hospital Group demonstrates ongoing translational science engagement. Management roles include directorships at Fondazione Centro San Raffaele and Istituto Insubrico Ricerca per La Vita Foundation.

• Clinical Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Geriatrics
• +4 more

Montorfano Matteo is an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan since March 2023. He serves as Director of the Second-Level Master's Degree in Interventional Cardiology and has been Head of the Interventional Cardiology Unit and Hemodynamics at San Raffaele Hospital since 2018. His academic career spans roles as Director of the Percutaneous Cardiac Treatment Unit and Head of the Interventional Cardiology Laboratory. He holds an H-index of 59 with over 450 publications and 15,000 citations, focusing on structural heart disease and percutaneous valve interventions . Education: Specialization in Cardiology, La Sapienza University of Rome (2000) Degree in Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan (1991) Research Interests: Pioneering transcatheter structural heart interventions including TAVI , MitraClip , and left atrial appendage closure . Developed the LIRA sizing method for bicuspid aortic valve interventions and founded start-ups like Cephea Valve Technologies and Viv-Heart . Major contributions to valvular heart device innovation , with numerous international patents. Publications: Over 450 works in Circulation , JAMA , and JACC Cardiovascular Intervention , emphasizing transcatheter valve therapies , complex coronary interventions , and device development . Industry Collaborations: Faculty member at major conferences: TCT , PCR , GISE Consultant/Advisory Board member for Edwards Lifesciences , Medtronic , and Boston Scientific

• Interventional Cardiology
• Structural Heart Disease
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• +3 more

Daniela Carnevale is a Full Professor at Sapienza University of Rome, where she serves in the Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies within the Faculty of Medicine. She directs the Laboratory of Neuro and Cardiovascular Immunology at the Department of Molecular Medicine, based at IRCCS Neuromed in Pozzilli. Her academic career spans over a decade with a permanent position as Assistant Professor since 2012, progressing to her current role as Full Professor. Education: PhD in Neuroscience (2010) - Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome Professional qualification in Biology (2006) - Sapienza University of Rome Degree in Biological Sciences (2005) - Sapienza University of Rome, final mark 110/110 cum laude Daniela Carnevale's research primarily focuses on the intersection of cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience, and immunology. She investigates neuroimmune mechanisms in hypertension, exploring how the nervous and immune systems interact to influence blood pressure regulation and organ damage. Her work encompasses biotechnologies and translational approaches to understand arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure, Alzheimer's related dementias, and adaptive immune responses. She has pioneered research on brain-spleen communication pathways in hypertension, demonstrating how neural signals prime immune responses that contribute to cardiovascular pathology. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces, with particular focus on hypertension-induced cognitive impairment, cerebrovascular remodeling, and organ damage mechanisms. Her work increasingly integrates advanced imaging techniques, genetic analyses, and immune profiling to uncover novel therapeutic targets for cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. Scientific Awards: Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) (2016) Council on Hypertension Mid Career Award for Research Excellence (2019) International Patent in medical technology (2010) Multiple research awards from the Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension Research Award from the Foundation "Roberto Cornelli" (2009) Professor Carnevale has secured significant research funding as Principal Investigator, including grants from Sapienza University, Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, and the Italian Ministry of Health. She has supervised numerous PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, and undergraduate students across various biomedical programs. Her laboratory collaborates internationally with leading researchers from Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, University of Glasgow, and University of Munich. At IRCCS Neuromed, Professor Carnevale directs the Laboratory of Neuro and Cardiovascular Immunology, where her team investigates the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroimmune interactions in cardiovascular diseases. Her research facility includes advanced preclinical imaging capabilities, including a 7Tesla MRI for small animal research, which she secured through competitive grant funding.

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• +4 more

Alessandro Castiglioni is an Associate Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and Head of the Cardiac Surgery Unit at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital. He specializes in structural heart disease surgery, particularly mitral valve repair and transcatheter aortic valve interventions (TAVI). His roles include leadership in the Aortic Team Project and TAVI Project, and he serves as Secretary and Associate Professor in the University's Cardiac Surgery School of Specialization. Affiliations: IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital (Cardiac Surgery Unit Head), Humanitas Mater Domini (Consultant Cardiac Surgeon), and Guido Salvinii Public Hospital (Consultant). Education: MD from University of Milan (1993), Specializations in Thoracic Surgery (1998) and Cardiac Surgery (2007), National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor (2017). Research focuses on valve disease management, surgical innovation (e.g., ReverseTWO cardioplegia system), and multidisciplinary aortic aneurysm care. He actively reviews for the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery and participates in major professional associations. Teaching includes courses on hybrid myocardial revascularization, cardiac surgery in elderly patients, and ischemic cardiopathy techniques at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University.

• Cardiac Surgery
• Heart Valve Surgery
• Structural Heart Disease
• +6 more

Chessa Massimo is a Professor at Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, specializing in Cardiovascular Diseases within the field of Congenital Heart Disease. His work spans clinical research, interventional cardiology, and medical education, with a particular focus on adult congenital heart disease and transition care for adolescents. Research Interests Dr. Chessa's research explores: Interventional catheterization techniques for congenital heart defects Transition strategies for adolescent CHD patients 3D printing and mixed reality applications in cardiac anatomy Heart failure management in CHD populations Hypertension in pediatric and adult CHD patients Scientific Awards Fellow, European Society of Cardiology (2015-2018) Fellow, Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (2014-2017) Fellow, ERN GUARD-Heart European Reference Network Teaching Activities Current teaching roles include: Cardiovascular System Diseases 3 (International MD Program, 2025) Keep Calm and Be Systematic: Practical Approach to Cardiology (2025)

• Congenital Heart Disease
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• +5 more

Michele De Bonis is an Associate Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the Medical School of Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, Italy. He serves as Chief of Cardiac Surgery Innovation and Research at San Raffaele University Hospital, Director of the Training School in Cardiac Surgery, and Head of the Heart Failure Surgery Unit and Mechanical Circulatory Support Programme. He holds visiting professorships at Plymouth NHS Trust (UK) and Cape Town University (South Africa). His clinical expertise includes mitral/tricuspid valve repair, mechanical circulatory support (LVAD/ECMO), and transcatheter interventions. He has pioneered the Star-Tric System for tricuspid regurgitation and is a certified proctor for HeartMate devices. Education: MD cum laude from Rome’s Catholic University (1993), postgraduate training in Belgium/UK, and a fellowship in mechanical support at Berlin’s German Heart Institute. He is a Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) and European Society of Cardiology (FESC). Research focuses on valvular heart disease and mechanical circulatory support, with over 466 publications (H-index>20, 3000+ citations). He co-authored European guidelines on valvular disease and infective endocarditis. Teaching roles include courses at the European School for Cardiothoracic Surgery and mentorship of over 20 theses. He leads funded projects like the €980k PNRR-MAD-2022 lung frailty study and the €500k ECMO outcomes project. Awards include the 2005 Ciociaria Medicine Prize and 1995 Petrone Award. He chairs EACTS task forces and serves on international committees for the American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology.

• Cardiac Surgery
• Mechanical Circulatory Support
• Valvular Heart Disease
• +3 more

Melissano Germano is a Full Professor of Vascular Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. He holds leadership roles including Director of the School of Specialization in Vascular Surgery and the II Level Master in Aortic Surgery. His career spans over 30 years in vascular surgery, including roles as Deputy Chief and Senior Staff Surgeon at San Raffaele Hospital. Education includes a B.A. in Humanities (1977–1982), followed by a Medical Degree (1982–1988) and surgical specializations in General Surgery (1988–1993) and Vascular Surgery (1993–1999). He has extensive international collaborations and guest professorships at institutions like Stanford University and Baylor College of Medicine. Research focuses on endovascular techniques, aortic surgery, and surgical outcomes. He has organized over 20 international courses and congresses, including the annual 'Aortic Surgery: How to do it.' Awards include the 'Distinguished Visiting Professor' title at Stanford and the 'Young Vascular Surgeons’ Award.' He has authored over 700 publications and serves on editorial boards of journals like the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. His surgical experience exceeds 12,000 cases, specializing in complex aortic interventions.

• Vascular Surgery
• Endovascular Surgery
• Aortic Surgery
• +3 more

Cianflone Domenico is an Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Diseases at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan, Italy. He serves as Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at San Raffaele Hospital and has held various clinical and academic positions throughout his distinguished career in cardiology. His educational background includes: Medical Degree with Honors, University of Milan (1980) Specialization in Cardiology, University of Milan (1982) Research Fellow, Cardiology Division, Royal Post-Graduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London (1983-1986) Honorary Fellowship, Duke University Medical Center, USA (1986) Professor Cianflone's research focuses on the causal mechanisms and precipitating factors of myocardial infarction and other coronary syndromes, innovative patient stratification models, and the development of Health IT/telemedicine solutions for cardiovascular care. His work bridges clinical cardiology with digital health technologies to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and management, with particular emphasis on cardiac rehabilitation, coronary artery disease mechanisms, and cardiovascular applications of health information systems. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on cardiac rehabilitation, postoperative cardiac complications, and the application of emerging technologies in cardiology. There's a clear trend toward exploring the intersection of traditional cardiology with digital health solutions, rehabilitation protocols, and personalized approaches to cardiovascular disease management, with numerous publications in high-impact journals like the International Journal of Cardiology. Professor Cianflone has held significant editorial positions including: Deputy Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Cardiology (2016-present) Deputy Editor, International Journal of Cardiology: Hypertension (2018-present) Editorial Board, Italian Heart Journal (1998-2000) Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Italia Cardiologia (1999-2001) Professor Cianflone has supervised 24 degree theses and 12 specialization theses at UniSR, with four of these theses leading to Young Researcher awards and international recognitions from organizations like SISA, GICR, and the American College of Cardiology. He has coordinated or participated in 15 research projects funded by the European Commission, European Social Fund, European Space Agency, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of University and Scientific Research. Additionally, he has served as principal investigator in 15 international clinical trials related to cardiovascular disease and held numerous positions in international commissions at the European Society of Cardiology, American College of Cardiology, International Heart Health Society, and NIH. As Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at San Raffaele Hospital, Professor Cianflone leads a multidisciplinary team focused on high-intensity rehabilitative care for patients following advanced cardiac surgery, structural heart procedures, and complex coronary syndromes. His unit provides comprehensive cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation services with a focus on reducing global cardiovascular risk, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes management.

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Cardiology
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
• +5 more

Prof. Abele Donati is a full professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM) within the School of Medicine and Surgery , specifically in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health . His clinical practice is based at Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I - Clinica di Anestesia e Rianimazione Generale Respiratoria e del Trauma Maggiore in Ancona, Italy. Research Focus: Critical care medicine, sepsis, microcirculation, anesthesia, and respiratory failure Key Contributions: Expertise in hemodynamic monitoring, antibiotic resistance, ECMO, and perioperative medicine Publications Trends: Recent work emphasizes antimicrobial therapy for multidrug-resistant pathogens, microcirculatory dysfunction in sepsis, critical care pharmacogenetics, and advanced monitoring techniques during surgeries. His studies frequently involve multicenter collaborations and clinical trials. Contact: Email available at a.donati@univpm.it

• Critical Care Medicine
• Anesthesiology
• Sepsis Management
• +3 more

Gianluca Zitti is a Researcher at the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, School of Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM), Ancona. His work spans fluid dynamics, biomedical engineering, coastal systems, and renewable energy technologies. Role: Researcher in Scientific Sector CEAR-01/A (Hydraulics) Location: DICEA - Hydraulic Section, Via Brecce Bianche 12, Ancona Contact: g.zitti@staff.univpm.it Research focuses include: Cardiovascular fluid mechanics Wave energy converters Hydrokinetic turbines Coastal sediment transport Aquaculture structure dynamics Flood impact modeling His scientific contributions include studies on: Coronary artery blood flow Archimedean turbine optimization Avalanche-generated impulse waves Hydrodynamic interactions Human stability in floodwaters

• Fluid Dynamics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Coastal Engineering
• +3 more

Valentina Bugelli is an Associate Professor at the Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Parma. She teaches Forensic Medicine, Forensic Histopathology, Patient Safety, and Sensitive Communication in Health across Medicine and Surgery, Dental Medicine, Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, and allied health programs since 2019/2020. Her research centers on forensic pathology applications including age estimation, sudden death analysis, and trauma biomechanics. She investigates high-altitude cardiac events, pediatric forensic cases, and skydiving-related injuries through case reports and systematic reviews, bridging clinical practice with legal medicine in Italian contexts. Recent publications (2024-2025) emphasize practical forensic methodologies for age progression, sudden unexpected pediatric death, altitude-related cardiac mortality, and parachute trauma. Her work consistently addresses medicolegal challenges through empirical case studies and literature reviews, highlighting Italy-specific forensic practices.

• Forensic Medicine
• Forensic Pathology
• Histopathology
• +3 more

Thierry-Sainclair Njougouo is an Assistant Professor at the IMT School of Advanced Studies Lucca , affiliated with the NETWORKS Research Unit. His work bridges computational modeling with clinical applications in cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Institution: IMT School of Advanced Studies Lucca Research Unit: NETWORKS Research Focus: Dr. Njougouo specializes in thermoelectric and electromechanical modeling of biological systems, with particular emphasis on: Cardiac action potential dynamics Intestinal motility mechanisms Temperature-dependent physiological responses Digital twin development for surgical prediction Myocardial microstructural analysis Clinical translation of computational models Publication Trends: Recent work reveals a progression from foundational bioheat models (2022) to advanced applications in surgical prediction (2024) and multi-organ thermoelectric systems (2025). The research demonstrates increasing integration of clinical parameters like body temperature variations and laser tissue soldering effects.

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Biology
• Cardiology
• +3 more

Castiglioni Alessandro is a Professor in the Department of Heart, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the Università Vita Salute San Raffaele. He has held this position since January 2005 as a contract professor. His research focuses on advanced cardiac surgical techniques, transcatheter valve interventions, and clinical outcomes in valvular heart diseases. He actively contributes to teaching cardiovascular surgery principles in both undergraduate and graduate medical programs. Key research areas include mitral and aortic valve diseases, low-flow aortic stenosis management, and the development of innovative surgical methods like the ReverseTWO cardioplegia system. His work emphasizes translational research bridging echocardiographic diagnostics with surgical decision-making. Recent studies highlight the prognostic value of hemodynamic parameters and cardiac imaging biomarkers in predicting patient outcomes. Teaching responsibilities include master's lectures on asymptomatic aortic stenosis management and hybrid revascularization techniques. He has maintained continuous academic engagement since 2005 with no indication of emeritus status or part-time employment.

• Cardiac Surgery
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Heart Surgery
• +3 more