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Dr. Silvia VESCO is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, where she specializes in Japanese art history, particularly Edo-period visual culture, ukiyo-e prints, illustrated books, and the works of Katsushika Hokusai. She is actively involved in research, teaching, and cultural curation, with a strong focus on Italian collections of Japanese art and cross-cultural artistic dialogues between Japan and the West. Education: PhD in History of Indian and East Asian Art, Ca' Foscari University of Venice (1999) Master in Art & Archaeology, SOAS, University of London (1995) Degree in Oriental Languages and Literatures, University of Venice (1993, with honors) Her research interests encompass Japanese aesthetics, museum studies, and the global reception of Japanese art. She has led major digitization projects for the Museum of Oriental Art in Venice and contributed to the development of its new museological framework. Her scholarly work reveals a consistent focus on Hokusai, Edo-period print culture, and the philosophical dimensions of Japanese visual forms. The recent publications highlight a deep engagement with Hokusai’s pedagogical works, the aesthetics of emptiness, and contemporary reflections on nature in post-Fukushima Japan. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges art history, cultural studies, and museum practice. Scientific Recognition: Finalist, Premio Nazionale per la divulgazione scientifica 'Giancarlo Dosi' (2020) Japan Foundation Fellowship (1997) Postgraduate scholarship from the University of Venice (1994) She has supervised numerous MA theses, served on PhD committees, and mentored students in Japanese art history. Her research has been supported by grants from the Japan Foundation and institutional collaborations with museums and cultural centers. She is a referee for VQR, Edizioni Ca' Foscari, and international journals, and serves on the scientific committees of several academic and museum publications. Labs and Teams: Scientific Committee, Museum of Oriental Art, Ca' Pesaro, Venice Scientific Committee, Edizioni Ca' Foscari Coordinator, Scientific Committee for Ca' Foscari Japanese Studies, Arts and Literature Member of the editorial board of 'Venezia Arti' and 'Quaderni del Polo museale del Veneto'

• Japanese Art History
• Edo Period Art
• Ukiyo-e Prints
• +7 more

Umberto Eco was a renowned Professor of Semiotics at the University of Bologna and founder of Communication Science studies in Italy. Born in Alessandria (1932), he pursued classical studies before earning his philosophy degree from Turin University (1954). His academic career spanned Turin, Milan, and Florence universities, where he explored semiotics, media studies, and medieval aesthetics. He pioneered interdisciplinary approaches, blending literary criticism with contemporary cultural analysis. Eco's work in publishing (Bompiani, 1959–1975) and media (RAI, L'Espresso) shaped Italian intellectual discourse. The University of Bologna honored him with its highest accolades for his transformative contributions to academia and semiotic theory. Educations: Classical High School in Alessandria Laurea in Literature and Philosophy, University of Turin (1954) His research integrated medieval scholasticism with modern semiotics, analyzing mass media's societal impact through works like Apocalittici e integrati (1964) and the La bustina di Minerva column (1985–2016). Key themes included countercultural movements, communication theory, and the philosophy of aesthetics. His lectures and publications, such as Il costume di casa (1973), became foundational texts for understanding 20th-century intellectual trends. Though no specific scientific awards are listed, his academic legacy was celebrated through institutional recognitions from the University of Bologna. His advisory roles and editorial work fostered avant-garde movements like Gruppo 63, challenging 1950s literary norms. Eco's intellectual reach extended to founding the Scuola Superiore di Studi Umanistici, cementing his role as a pivotal figure in humanistic education.

• Semiotics
• Medieval Studies
• Communication Science
• +3 more

Aglaia McClintock is an Associate Professor of Roman and Ancient Law (IUS/18) in the Department of Law, Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods at the University of Sannio. Her research examines Roman legal institutions through interdisciplinary lenses including anthropology, gender studies, and symbolic analysis. Research Focus: She specializes in archaic Roman criminal law, gender dynamics in legal systems, the evolution of punitive practices, and cross-cultural juridical symbolism. Her work frequently intersects with: Anthropological interpretations of legal concepts Historical analysis of women's rights and social weapons Ritual aspects of justice administration Comparative Indo-European legal traditions Publication Trends: Her recent articles (2016-2024) demonstrate concentrated scholarship on: 1) deconstruction of archaic penal systems and social control mechanisms, 2) gender-focused reexamination of Roman legal anthropology, and 3) symbolic analysis of justice iconography in classical civilizations. Methodologically, she employs textual analysis, linguistic etymology, and socio-legal contextualization. Awards & Recognition: No scientific awards or fellowships are documented in available sources. Academic Service: She has contributed to international conferences on Roman law and authored commemorative works for legal scholars like Francesco Salerno. No information regarding student advising, grants, or laboratory leadership is present.

• Roman Law
• Ancient Law
• Legal Anthropology
• +2 more

Prof. Tiziana Lippiello is a Full Professor and Rector at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, leading the Department of Asian and North African Studies. Her academic career focuses on Chinese literature, ancient civilizations, and Confucian thought. She oversees the university's strategic direction as Rector while maintaining active research in East Asian history, religious practices, and intercultural dialogue. Her work bridges classical Chinese texts with modern interpretations, emphasizing themes like divination, governance, and Jesuit influence in cross-cultural exchanges. Key publications include studies on Prospero Intorcetta’s Latin translations of Confucian texts and analyses of ancient longevity practices. She has edited volumes on Chinese literature and merchant culture, contributing significantly to scholarly discourse on Sinology and early modern history.

• Chinese Literature
• Ancient Civilizations
• Confucian Thought
• +5 more

Gianfranco Anfora is a Full Professor at the University of Trento, affiliated with both the Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering and the Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), where he serves as Deputy Dean. His research focuses on agricultural entomology, biological control, and sustainable pest management. Key expertise areas include integrated pest control, semiochemicals, and viticulture-related challenges. Anfora teaches courses on biopesticides, vine protection, and eco-sustainable management of invasive species. His research emphasizes vibrational communication in pests like Halyomorpha halys and Drosophila suzukii, exploring non-chemical control strategies such as sterile insect techniques and biological control agents. Collaborative projects include classical biological control programs targeting invasive species in vineyards and果园. Anfora’s work often bridges ecology and applied pest management, addressing climate and landscape impacts on agricultural practices. Recent studies highlight innovations in vibrational mating disruption, substrate-borne signaling, and radiation effects on pest behavior. His contributions aim to balance productivity, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance within agri-food systems. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to entomological and agricultural research.

• Agricultural entomology
• Biological control
• Ecological chemistry
• +10 more

Lucia Avallone is an Associate Professor at the University of Bergamo, teaching Arabic language and literature. She holds a PhD in 'Near Eastern and Maghreb Studies. Cultural Specificities and Intercultural Relations' from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' (2011) and graduated from the University of Turin (1989). National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor in Cultures of the Ancient Near East, Middle East, and Africa (2024-2035) Member of AIMA (International Association for the Study of Middle and Mixed Arabic) Advisor for Master's Degree in Modern Languages for International Communication and Cooperation (LM-38) Member of PhD programs in Philological and Linguistic Studies (Bergamo) and Linguistic Sciences (Bergamo-Pavia) Her research focuses on modern and contemporary Arabic language and literature , especially linguistic variation , code switching between standard and vernacular Arabic , and Arabic-European language contact . She analyzes political discourse and develops methodologies for Arabic language teaching, with particular attention to dialect-standard dynamics in literary and pedagogical contexts. Recent publications examine: Linguistic creativity in contemporary Egyptian fiction Sociolinguistic aspects of modern Arabic narratives Translation challenges between Arabic dialects and Standard Arabic Historical connections between Arabic and Mediterranean cultures She supervises master's theses and participates in doctoral committees, emphasizing: Intercultural communication Postcolonial Arabic literature Language pedagogy innovations

• Arabic Language
• Arabic Literature
• Linguistic Variation
• +3 more

Matteo Marconi is a Fixed-term Researcher (Type A) at the Department of Political Science, Sapienza University of Rome since 2020. He serves on multiple academic bodies including the Department Board and Faculty Council of Political Sciences, Sociology, Communication. Marconi teaches geopolitics courses in several degree programs including the Master's in Geopolitics and Global Security. His research employs spatial approaches to political phenomena across three domains: history of geopolitical thought (reconstructing coherent disciplinary history), theoretical geopolitics (scientific problematization), and applied case studies (Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mediterranean geopolitics). Primary research keywords include geopolitics, classical geopolitics, and Mediterranean studies. Recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on maritime geopolitics, Mediterranean regionalization, and theoretical examinations of classical geopolitical concepts like Lebensraum. Works frequently analyze spatial power dynamics through historical and contemporary lenses, with emerging attention to China's geopolitical strategies. Awards: Premio Gaetano Ferro (2012) from Società Geografica Italiana Premio Luigi ed Eufemia Tosti (2004) Special Mention - Premio laurea d'oro (2004) As academic advisor, Marconi has supervised doctoral candidates (37th cycle) and leads the 'Geopolitics of the Sea' research group. Editorial activities include serving on the board of The Review of International Affairs and previously co-directing the journal Geopolitica .

• Geopolitics
• Political Geography
• Mediterranean Studies
• +2 more

Gloria Samuela Pagani is an Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at the University of Salento, Italy. She holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Naples 'L'Orientale' (2000) and has taught since 2005 at the Department of Humanities. Her expertise spans Arabic language pedagogy, classical and modern Arabic literature, and Middle Eastern cultural history. Education: Bachelor's in Islamic Studies (La Sapienza University, Rome, 1994) PhD in Islamic Studies (University of Naples 'L'Orientale', 2000) Research focuses on Islamic mysticism, Arabic literary traditions, and intercultural translation. She has conducted research in Damascus, Cairo, and Paris, and taught at universities including La Sapienza Rome and the Ecole des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (Paris). Teaching responsibilities include courses on Arabic literature, language instruction, and Middle Eastern cultural history. She co-organizes international conferences and collaborates with institutions like the Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale and the University of Tübingen's Islamic Theology Center.

• Arabic Language and Literature
• Islamic Mysticism
• Middle Eastern History and Culture
• +3 more

Carlo Baldassi is an Associate Professor at Bocconi University, where he has served as Director of the BSc in Mathematical and Computing Sciences for Artificial Intelligence (BAI) since 2023/24. He holds a background in Theoretical Physics from the University of Trieste and a PhD in Computational Neuroscience from the University of Turin. His research focuses on applying Statistical Mechanics to Machine Learning and Neural Networks, particularly studying loss landscapes, optimization problems, and the role of quantum annealing in nonconvex learning. He teaches courses in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Computer Science, emphasizing Python and Julia programming. His work bridges theoretical physics and AI, exploring topics like synaptic stochasticity in low-precision neural networks and the efficiency of quantum vs. classical annealing. He has published extensively in top journals such as Physical Review Letters and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , contributing to foundational understanding of neural network dynamics and optimization techniques. Teaching includes Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Computer Science I Machine Learning II Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lab Research emphasizes large-scale inference problems, with a focus on the interplay between statistical mechanics and modern AI architectures.

• Machine Learning
• Computational Neuroscience
• Statistical Mechanics
• +4 more

Lorenzo Geri is an Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Literature and Culture at Sapienza University of Rome's Faculty of Letters and Philosophy. His academic work focuses on Italian literature from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, with particular expertise in Petrarchan studies, humanism, and Baroque literature. He teaches multiple courses including Italian Literature I, Texts and Questions of Italian Literature III, Italian Renaissance, and Italian Culture and Literature across various degree programs. Professor Geri's research spans eight major areas: meta-literary paths in Petrarch's work; Petrarch's relationship with religious culture; Petrarch's courtly connections; Italian lyric poetry from its origins to the 16th century; Baroque literary genres; Lucian's influence in the 15th century; connections between Italian and Northern European humanism; and Guicciardini's political experience. His work demonstrates deep engagement with textual analysis, historical context, and interdisciplinary approaches to literary studies. His recent publications show a strong focus on Petrarch's epistolary works, Erasmian studies, and Italian lyric poetry. The trend in his scholarship reveals increasing attention to the intersection of religious culture with literary production, particularly examining how theological concepts shape poetic expression across different historical periods. His editorial work on collections like 'Paths in Free Will' demonstrates his ability to synthesize complex interdisciplinary topics. Professor Geri has co-edited significant collections including 'Italian Lyric Poetry: A Fundamental Lexicon (13th-14th centuries)', 'Paths in Free Will: Theology, Philosophy and Literature from the Late Middle Ages to the Reformation', and 'Lirica e sacro tra Medioevo e Rinascimento'. His research has been supported by projects such as 'The political poetry in Curia from Avignon to Rome (1334-1513)' and studies on the manuscript circulation of Petrarch's anticurial texts. His office hours are held on Thursdays from 3-4pm, and he conducts exams in Room 1 of the Department of Modern Literature and Cultures on the fourth floor of the Faculty of Letters and Philosophy building.

• Italian Literature
• Francesco Petrarca
• Middle Ages
• +10 more

Stefano PELLO' is a Full Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice , where he specializes in Persian Language and Literature and the History of Iran in the Islamic Era. He also serves as the Director's Delegate for External Communications. His academic affiliations include long-term research positions at Columbia University and SOAS, University of London, reflecting his international scholarly reach. Education: PhD in Oriental Studies, Sapienza University of Rome (2006), thesis: 'Hindu Poets and Persian Intellectual Circles between Delhi and Lucknow (1680–1856).' Degree in Oriental Languages and Literatures, Ca' Foscari University of Venice (2001), with highest honors. High School Diploma, Classical Lyceum 'Carlo Alberto', Novara (1995). He holds advanced certificates in Persian (Dehkhoda Institute, Tehran) and Arabic (Damascus University, Cairo). Research Interests: PELLO' is a leading scholar in Indo-Persian literary culture, focusing on multilingualism, cosmopolitanism, and intercultural exchange in early modern South Asia. His work explores Persian poetry, Sufism, ethnography, and the philosophical dimensions of nature, language, and identity. He investigates how Persian functioned as a cosmopolitan medium across India, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Publications Trends: His recent articles analyze Mīrzā Bīdil’s poetics of nature and imagination, Persian literary representations of Varanasi, and the role of Persian in multilingual societies. The research reveals a consistent focus on textual identity, cross-cultural dialogue, and the philosophical underpinnings of Indo-Persian literary production. Scientific Contributions: Author of major monographs including Tutiyan-i Hind (2012) and Microcosmographies (2024). Translator of key Persian literary and mystical works into Italian (e.g., Hafez, Rumi, Motahhari). Editor of scholarly volumes such as Borders: Itineraries on the Edges of Iran (2016). Contributor to Encyclopaedia Iranica and Encyclopaedia of Islam . Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, PELLO' has directed PhD theses and mentored junior researchers. He has led international research initiatives, including workshops at the European University Institute and Ca' Foscari, often in collaboration with institutions like Columbia and SOAS. His work is supported by national and international academic networks. Labs and Teams: He has organized and convened international workshops such as 'Cultures of tahqiq from the Mughals to the Mediterranean' (2021) and 'Persian Literature in Multilingual India' (2008), fostering collaborative research on Persianate intellectual history.

• Persian Language and Literature
• History of Iran in the Islamic Era
• Indo-Persian Literary Culture
• +12 more

Ida Zilio-Grandi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Asian and North African Studies at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, where she specializes in Arabic Language and Literature (SSD L/OR-12). She also holds teaching responsibilities in Islamic Thought and Theology (SSD L/OR-10) and has been actively involved in multiple interdisciplinary programs, including Master’s degrees in Interfaith Dialogue, Islamic Philosophy, and Mediterranean Studies. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting her deep engagement with cultural diplomacy. Education Graduated in Oriental Languages and Literatures (Arabic) from Ca' Foscari University of Venice. PhD in “Studies on the Middle East and the Maghreb from the founding of Islam to the Present day” at the University of Naples “L’Orientale”. Research Interests Her scholarly work centers on Quranic studies, Islamic ethics, and Arabic literature. She investigates religious figures in the Quran (e.g., Mary, Cain, Pharaoh, Jonah), Islamic moral concepts such as gratitude (šukr), patience (ṣabr), tolerance, and mercy, and the ethical dimensions of employment, speech, and hospitality. Her research draws on classical exegesis, adab literature, and contemporary Islamic thought, bridging historical analysis with modern applications. She also explores interfaith dialogue, particularly between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and cultural relations between the Islamic world and the West. Publication Trends Her recent publications (2020–2025) reflect a sustained focus on Islamic virtues, ethics, and Quranic interpretation. These include monographs on the moral life of Muslims, studies on Sufism in the UAE, Abraham’s legacy, and environmental ethics in Islam. Her work combines rigorous philological analysis with philosophical insight, often published in high-impact journals and academic volumes. Scientific Service and Recognition Member of the “Committee for Islam in Italy” at the Ministry of Interior (since 2015). Member of the Scientific Committee of the “Dialogue méditerranéen sur la modernité et le religieux” at Collège des Bernardins, Paris. Sits on the editorial boards of Annali di Ca’ Foscari , Islamo-Christiana , and L’opera Comune . Invited Researcher at the Pontificio Istituto di Studi Arabi e d’Islamistica (PISAI), Rome (since 2017). Advising, Grants, and Leadership She has coordinated several Master’s programs at Ca' Foscari, including the LM “Languages, Economies and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa (LEISAAM)” and the international LM “MIM – Crossing the Mediterranean.” She is the Erasmus+ Coordinator for partnerships with the University of Jordan and Mohammed V University in Rabat. She led the research project The Languages of the Absolute (2011–2015), funded by Ca' Foscari University. Though no formal students are listed, her mentorship is evident through her academic leadership and editorial roles. Labs and Research Groups She is affiliated with several research centers, including the Ca' Foscari Center for Studies on Human Rights (CESTUDIR), the Center for Contemporary Middle East Studies (CEM), and the Religion, Law and Economy in the Mediterranean Area Center (REDESM). She is also a member of the Arab-Christian Research Group (GRAC) and the Lay Association for Biblical Culture “Biblia.”

• Quranic Studies
• Islamic Ethics
• Arabic Literature
• +9 more

Enrico Maria Ariemma is an Associate Professor at the Department of Humanities (DIPSUM) of the University of Salerno. He specializes in Latin literature with particular focus on Latin epic poetry , Flavian literature , and classical reception studies , working extensively on authors like Silius Italicus, Seneca, and Catullus. His research often explores military narratives , intertextuality , and ethical concepts in antiquity . His academic work features in publications such as Brill's Companion to Silius Italicus , and Lexis , with recent contributions on topics like "Tra vino e fuoco" (2023) analyzing mythological topos in Silius' Punica , and "Contare i baci" (2022) examining Catullus' intersection with mathematical thinking. He has also contributed to conference proceedings on epic-historical synthesis and war representation in Senecan tragedy . Ariemma participates in international academic networks, including co-organizing the 2019 "Ritorno al futuro" conference on Silius Italicus. He maintains an active research agenda with publications in Humanitas , Thaumazein , and Pan , while his teaching focuses on Latin language and literature and Latin didactics . His office is located at the University of Salerno’s Fisciano Campus, Building B, Room 027.

• Latin Literature
• Classical Philology
• Reception Studies
• +4 more

Michaela Valente is an Associate Professor in Early Modern History at the Department of Political Science, Sapienza University of Rome , where she has taught since 2021. Previously, she was Associate Professor at the University of Molise (2005-2021) after postdoctoral work at Salerno. Her research focuses on witchcraft, inquisition practices, religious migrations, and historiographical debates in Early Modern Europe. Her scholarship explores the demonological discourse through works like Charles V (2013) and co-edited volumes on the Roman Inquisition. She has contributed to international research projects including COST Action PIMo (2019-2023) on Mediterranean displacements and PRIN initiatives on Renaissance philosophy. Recent publications analyze transnational religious refugees ( Religious Refugees in the Early Modern World , 2023), gender in exile (2024), and witchcraft's intellectual legacy . Her teaching includes Modern History and Migration History courses, with exam texts emphasizing primary sources and critical historiography. Scientific Awards : Anna Maria Battista Fellowship Fondazione Luigi Firpo Fellow (2000) University of Rome Research Fellow (2001-2003)

• Early Modern European History
• Demonology
• Roman Inquisition
• +4 more

Luca Chiantini is a Full Professor at the University of Siena's Department of Information Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. Born in Siena in 1957, he earned his Mathematics degree from the University of Siena in 1979 and held academic positions at the Polytechnic of Turin, University of Naples, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', and others before joining the University of Siena in 1995. His research focuses on Algebraic Geometry, Commutative Algebra, and applications in Tensor Analysis and Multilinear Algebra. Chiantini's work explores projective varieties, secant varieties, Waring decompositions, and geometric complexity theory. He has authored over 100 publications, including studies on interpolation in higher codimension, Geproci sets, and Terracini loci. Education: Degree in Mathematics from the University of Siena (1979), followed by CNR grants and a Brandeis University fellowship (1982-1983). Academic roles include Department Director (2006-2012) and Dean of the Academic Board (2011-2012). Research Interests: Algebraic Geometry (e.g., projective varieties, secant varieties), Commutative Algebra (Hilbert functions, determinantal representations), and applied areas like tensor decomposition, geometric complexity, and algebraic statistics. His work bridges classical and modern algebraic geometry, with contributions to tensor rank, identifiability, and secant defectivity. Key Projects: Studies on interpolation, secant varieties, and geometric configurations. Collaborations on tensor analysis with applications in statistics and theoretical physics. Active in academic service and education, teaching advanced geometry and mathematics pedagogy.

• Algebraic Geometry
• Commutative Algebra
• Tensor Analysis
• +4 more