Antonella Agodi

Antonella Agodi is Full Professor of Hygiene and Public Health and Director of the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia" at the University of Catania, Italy. She has held leadership roles in major public health initiatives nationally and internationally, including coordination of the SPIN-UTI project for hospital infection surveillance and active participation in ECDC networks.

Her educational background includes:

• Master of Sciences in Biological Sciences (cum laude), thesis in Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, July 20, 1981
• Postgraduate School of Specialization in General Pathology (cum laude), University of Catania, December 16, 1985
• Ph.D. in Neurobiology, University of Catania, October 6, 1988

Her research focuses on four integrated themes: epidemiology and control of infections using molecular methods; public health genomics, nutrigenetics, and nutrigenomics; environmental and food hygiene with risk assessment tools; and the planning and evaluation of public health policies and interventions. She employs a translational research approach, combining epidemiological data management with high-throughput genomics and molecular techniques to study both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Although specific publications are not listed, her research output spans molecular epidemiology, surveillance systems, biomarker identification, and health policy analysis, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary focus across public health, microbiology, genomics, and health services research.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Prize on Environmental Health, Lions Club Augusta (1982)
• Prize for Young Scientists in Applied Biology, Accademia Gioenia di Catania (1985)

She has led multiple research projects funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, the Sicilian Region, and the European Union (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci program). As a grant recipient and project leader, she has coordinated national surveillance efforts such as SPIN-UTI and contributed to the development of Italy’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PNCAR). She has also served in expert roles for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), including as Disease Expert, Operational Contact Point, and member of HAI-Net working groups.

Antonella Agodi is a founding member of the Research Centre LaPOSS (Laboratory for Planning and Analysis of Public Policies and Services for People) at the University of Catania. She actively participates in professional associations such as the Italian Society of Hygiene (SItI), where she coordinates the Hospital Hygiene Study Group (GISIO), and the European Public Health Association (EUPHA). She is also involved with the European Committee on Infection Control (EUCIC) and serves on scientific rosters for ECDC.