Barbara Caputo is a Full Professor at Politecnico di Torino, leading the VANDAL Laboratory and directing the AI@PoliTo Interdepartmental Lab. She holds a double affiliation with the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and has held roles at Idiap-EPFL and Sapienza University. Her research focuses on AI, computer vision, domain adaptation, and federated learning. She contributes to national AI policy, including the Italian Strategy on AI and the National PhD on AI for Industry 4.0. She is an ERC Laureate and ELLIS Fellow, co-founding ELLIS society. Her work spans visual place recognition, action recognition, and cross-domain learning. Education: PhD in Computer Science from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (2005). Major roles include Rector’s Advisor on AI at PoliTo, Board Member of ELLIS, and coordinator of the AI & Industry 4.0 vertical in the National PhD program. Awards include ERC Laureate (2017), ELLIS Fellow (2019), and Inspiring Fifty Italy (2018). Her research emphasizes federated learning, domain adaptation, and AI ethics. Recent articles explore domain generalization, resource-efficient federated models, and AI-environment interactions. She collaborates with institutions like MUR, CNR, and the European Commission on AI policy and tech initiatives.
Luca De Benedictis is a Professor of International Economics and Network Analysis at the University of Macerata's Department of Economics and Law. His research focuses on international trade empirics, including trade specialization measurement, network analysis, and causal models. He has authored numerous articles on topics like gravity models, migration impacts, and historical trade networks. His work spans journals such as the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society and Network Science . He teaches courses in International Economics and Network Analysis. His research interests include economic geography, policy evaluation, and applied econometrics. Notable projects include analyzing the Erasmus Program's inclusivity, Roman road networks' legacy, and immigration's effect on trade. De Benedictis has secured funding from EU initiatives like COSTNET and GeComplexity, focusing on network data science and economic systems. He serves on editorial boards of journals like Italian Economic Journal and Journal of Historical Network Research . His work bridges theoretical models with empirical applications in trade, migration, and policy.
Maurizio Dallocchio is a Full Professor of Corporate Finance at Bocconi University and SDA Bocconi School of Management. He served as Dean of SDA Bocconi (2003–2007) and has held leadership roles in academic and professional institutions, including Chair of the Audit Committee of the European Investment Bank (EIB). His research focuses on corporate valuation, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), and sustainable finance. Dallocchio founded DGPA & Co., a corporate finance consultancy, and advises public and private entities globally. He has taught at leading institutions like London Business School and NYU Stern School of Business. Educational Background: Ph.D. in Business Administration, Bocconi University Advanced studies at London Business School and New York University Stern School of Business Research Interests: Prof. Dallocchio’s work emphasizes corporate restructuring, ESG integration in finance, and strategic valuation methodologies . Recent studies explore environmental performance in emerging markets and the resilience of conglomerates during economic crises. He advocates for sustainable investment strategies that balance financial returns with societal impact. Professional Engagements: Board member roles at Klepierre Management, General Finance, and Podravska Banka Past Director of the Master in Corporate Finance program at SDA Bocconi Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives at Bocconi’s Corporate Finance and Real Estate Department, collaborating with global institutions on projects involving corporate governance, M&A analytics, and sustainable development.
Andrea Beltratti is a Full Professor at Bocconi University, specializing in financial economics and asset pricing. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale University (1989) and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Turin (1982). His research focuses on stock and bond volatility, mortgage markets, environmental economics, and financial crises. Notably, his work on asset price dynamics was mentioned during the 2013 Nobel Prize Ceremony. He teaches courses on equity portfolio management, financial investments, and real estate valuation. Education: Ph.D., Yale University; B.A., University of Turin Key Research Areas: Financial markets, banking systems, sustainable development, and macroeconomic policy Beltratti’s publications span journals like the Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Oxford Economic Papers. His award-winning contributions include analyses of global credit crises and asymmetric contagion effects in European sovereign debt markets. He actively contributes to academic discussions through teaching and research on fintech, infrastructure finance, and alternative investments.
Daniele Musumeci is a Research Fellow in the history of science at the Department of Humanities, University of Catania. He teaches Models of Science Communication in the undergraduate program in Communication Sciences and Languages and co-teaches History of the Environment and Climate Change in the master's program in Languages for International Cooperation. His academic work is supervised by Scientific Director Luigi Ingaliso. He earned his PhD in Interpretation Sciences from the University of Catania in 2023 with a dissertation titled "L'interpretazione dei vulcani e della loro attività. L'evoluzione della vulcanologia internazionale dalla modernità alla contemporaneità (secoli XVII-XX)". His research primarily focuses on the historical development of volcanological studies from the 17th to 20th centuries, examining paradigmatic shifts in Earth Sciences and the historical documentation of seismic phenomena. Musumeci's scholarly work reveals a strong emphasis on the history of volcanology, particularly regarding Mount Etna and significant figures like Alfred Rittmann. His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining historical analysis with earth sciences, often exploring how historical documentation can inform modern scientific understanding. He has made notable contributions to understanding the evolution of volcanic theories and the documentation of seismic events. His scientific achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards: AIV/IAVCEI scholarship (2018) Best Poster Award to a young scholar from INHIGEO (2019) Premio SGI "Quintino Sella per la Storia delle Geoscienze" (2021-2022) INHIGEO Early Career Award (2023) Musumeci is actively involved in research projects related to historical seismological archives, particularly through the PNRR MEET project (Monitoring Earth's Evolution and Tectonics) under WP 11.3 IPSES - Italian Platform for Solid Earth Science. His current research focuses on analyzing historical documentation of seismic and volcanic phenomena to enhance INGV's seismological databases. His work spans multiple institutions and collaborations, particularly with the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), where he contributes to historical volcanic studies and database development projects.
Alberto Brugnoli is a Full Professor in Applied Economics at the University of Bergamo, Italy, where he has served since 2020. He holds the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights, International Cooperation and Sustainable Development and serves as Delegate for International Cooperation in Developing Countries at the University of Bergamo. His academic career spans over 30 years with progressive appointments from Researcher to Full Professor. Brugnoli's research focuses on International Development Cooperation, Sustainable Development, Local Development, Regional Governance and Policy, Migration, Municipal Financing, and Trade. His work demonstrates a strong international dimension through collaborations with institutions like Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil), McGill University (Canada), OECD, and the European Commission. His recent publications show a clear trajectory toward sustainability, decarbonization, and economic transition topics. His research output reveals a progression from traditional economic policy topics toward contemporary challenges of sustainability, climate change, and social development. The most recent publications (2022-2025) predominantly address decarbonization, sustainable economic transitions, and regional development strategies, reflecting current global economic policy priorities. Award by the Scientific Committee of the First Report on Finance of the Rosselli Foundation (2012) Award by the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (2009) Recognition from Università Bocconi for editorial contributions (1999) Brugnoli has advised numerous international research projects and has extensive teaching experience in Development Economics, Regional Economics, and International Cooperation. His leadership extends to serving as President of the Master's Degree Program in Human Rights, Migration and International Cooperation (2018-2022) and various delegate roles at the University of Bergamo.
Teresa Bonacci is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences at the University of Calabria (UNICAL), where she conducts research and teaches in zoology with a focus on entomology. She is also the Scientific Director of the Zoology Museum within the university's museum system (SIMU). Her academic affiliations include membership in the PhD School of Life Science and Technology and leadership roles in degree program coordination. Laurea in Natural Sciences, University of Calabria PhD in Animal Biology, University of Calabria Socrates/Erasmus Scholarship, University of Kiel, Germany Research Grant (Assegno di ricerca), SSD BIO/05, University of Calabria National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor (I fascia) Her research spans applied and medico-veterinary entomology, forensic entomology, and conservation biology. She investigates saproxylic beetles (e.g., Cucujus spp.), pollinators (bees, flies, beetles), and insect behavior, especially in forensic contexts such as post-mortem interval estimation and myiasis. Her work integrates taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and chemical signaling, often in collaboration with chemists, legal experts, and conservation agencies. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, with over 80 scientific publications and strong citation metrics. The most recent articles reflect a multidisciplinary trend, combining taxonomy, forensic science, biodiversity monitoring, and veterinary entomology. Topics include the discovery of new insect species in Italy, the role of beetles in decomposition, insect damage in cultural heritage, and myiasis in domestic and wild animals. These works highlight her expertise in both fundamental zoological research and practical applications in forensics and conservation. Scientific Contributions: Over 80 scientific publications Scopus h-index: 15; Google Scholar h-index: 20 Key researcher in saproxylic beetle conservation Pioneer in forensic entomology studies in Southern Italy Active collaborator with legal and medical institutions She supervises numerous PhD and master's students and has directed over 90 theses. Her teaching responsibilities include courses in Zoology, Entomology, Forensic Entomology, and Medical-Veterinary Entomology. She is deeply involved in student mentorship, thesis supervision, and academic service, including examination boards and curriculum development. She also leads biodiversity monitoring projects in Calabrian national parks and has contributed to the development of machine learning tools for insect identification. Her research team collaborates with national and international institutions, including the CNR, University of Milan, and forensic pathology units. She leads projects on bioindicators, insect-plant interactions, and the impact of climate change on mountain species. The Zoology Museum under her direction supports both research and public outreach.
Luca Sebastiani is a Full Professor in Horticultural Sciences (AGR/03) at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy, since 2014. He currently coordinates the PhD Course in AgroBioSciences and has previously served as Director of the Institute of Life Sciences (2016-2021). His academic career includes roles as Associate Professor (2002-2014) and Assistant Professor (1998-2002) at the same institution. PhD in Plant Biology from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (1996) MSc in Agricultural Sciences from University of Pisa (cum laude, 1991) Postdoctoral research in agricultural biotechnology (1996-1998) Research Interests: Focus on plant-environment interactions, particularly abiotic and biotic stress responses in crops. Key areas include: Physiological and molecular responses to climate change stressors Nutraceutical enhancement of food crops Plant germplasm conservation using molecular markers Agriculture 4.0 integrating AI, IoT, and robotics Phytoremediation using poplar and Brassica species Scientific Contributions: His work bridges molecular mechanisms (aquaporin function, heavy metal transport) with ecosystem-level applications (precision irrigation, contaminant phytoremediation). Recent publications emphasize genome sequencing, stress tolerance modeling, and nutraceutical food development. ISHS Medal for SapFlow Workshop organization (2011) Giovanni Spitali Foundation Award for PhD dissertation (1998) Collaborations: Extensive international collaborations with institutions like Beijing Forestry University, Comenius University, and Purdue University. Currently supervises projects in plant phenotyping, omics technologies, and sustainable crop management.
Federico Miretti is an Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin, affiliated with the Department of Energy and the interdepartmental center Cars@PoliTo. His research focuses on hybrid and electric vehicles, with emphasis on energy management strategies, battery state estimation, and sustainable transport solutions. PhD in Energetics from Polytechnic University of Turin Research areas include: Optimization-based Energy Management Strategies for hybrid propulsion systems Simulation and digital twinning of hybrid systems Thermal management for electrified vehicles Techno-economic assessment of mobility solutions Recent publications highlight advancements in battery temperature anomaly detection, wireless power transfer feasibility, and control algorithms for energy efficiency. His work aligns with SDGs 7 (Clean Energy) and 9 (Innovation). Teaching roles include: Fluid Machinery (2019-2025) Energy Management in Hybrid/Electric Vehicles (2021-2025) Projects: PRoSIT (2025): Predictive thermal management demonstrator Consulting contract with MIDAC SpA (2025): Battery Digital Twin development EBOAT project (2025-2026): Technical support for Vulkan
Elena Turco is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical, Life and Environmental Sustainability Sciences at the University of Parma, Italy, holding this position since 2015 after serving as a University researcher from 2000 to 2015. Her academic foundation includes a post-doctoral fellowship at Utrecht University and doctoral training through a consortium of Italian universities. Education: PhD in Earth Sciences (1995), consortium of Universities of Ferrara, Florence, Parma and Pavia Degree in Geological Sciences (1991), University of Parma Her research centers on high-resolution biostratigraphy and biochronology of planktonic foraminiferal assemblages across the Oligo-Miocene boundary, utilizing astronomical and magnetostratigraphic calibration. She investigates paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic dynamics of Miocene Mediterranean and oceanic environments, with emphasis on sedimentary cyclicity and foraminiferal-sediment facies relationships. Her work integrates micropaleontology with geochemical proxies to reconstruct paleoenvironmental shifts. Recent publications (2019-2024) demonstrate consistent focus on Neogene stratigraphic refinement, particularly GSSP definitions for Miocene stages and Mediterranean paleoenvironmental evolution. These studies employ integrated methodologies including bio-magnetostratigraphy, stable isotope analysis, and rock magnetism to establish chronostratigraphic frameworks and climate models. Turco actively participates in national research projects (Prin 2006, Cofin series) and international collaborations (NWO, ESF, EU), including industry partnerships with Petrobras and British Gas. Her leadership roles include Vice-Chair of the Subcommission on Neogene Stratigraphy (ICS/IUGS) since 2020 and prior service as Secretary (2004-2020), directing global efforts to standardize Miocene chronostratigraphy through GSSP working groups.
Gianfranco Chicco is a Full Professor at the Politecnico di Torino , Italy, within the Department of Energy (DENERG). He serves as Scientific Director of the Electrical Power Systems research group and the Turin unit of the ENSIEL Consortium. A Fellow of IEEE (since 2018), he has held editorial leadership roles as Editor-in-Chief of Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks and Subject Editor of Energy , while chairing major conferences like IEEE ISGT Europe 2017 and UPEC 2020. Education : Laurea (cum laude) in Electrical Engineering (1987), Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (1992), Doctor Honoris Causa (2017, Polytechnic University of Bucharest; 2018, Technical University 'Gheorghe Asachi' of Iasi). Research Interests : Focus on power transmission and distribution systems , distributed energy resources , and multi-energy smart grids , with applications in artificial intelligence , load management , and power quality . His work addresses technical, economic, and environmental aspects of distributed generation and smart grid sustainability . Publications Trends : Recent articles emphasize photovoltaic power optimization , dynamic grid modeling , and multi-energy system coordination , reflecting expertise in renewable integration , clustering algorithms , and adaptive control . Key subfields include voltage stability , load forecasting , and blockchain for energy trading . Awards : IEEE Fellow (2018-) Best Paper Awards at SEST (2018, 2020) Doctor Honoris Causa (2017, 2018) 'Giancarlo Vallauri' Degree Prize (1988) Advising and Grants : Supervises PhD students in power converters , renewable integration , and high-voltage measurement methodologies . Leads European projects like H2020 MIGRATE and OSMOSE, focusing on grid resilience , clustering-based network planning , and multi-energy sustainability .
Begüm Demir is a Professor and Head of the Remote Sensing Image Analysis (RSiM) Group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Technische Universität Berlin. Her research focuses on scalable machine learning methods for remote sensing and Earth observation data analysis. Previously, she held positions at the University of Trento, where she was promoted to Associate Professor in 2017 and received an ERC Starting Grant for her BigEarth project. Key research interests include: Deep learning for satellite image analysis Big data processing in geosciences Earth observation data democratization Noise-robust machine learning models Recent projects highlight collaboration with Huawei in wireless communication-EO integration and leadership in initiatives like Agora-EO and TreeSatAI . Awards include the 2018 IEEE GRSS Early Career Award. Grants include funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Active in editorial roles for IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, and guest editorships in leading journals. Publicly accessible datasets like BigEarthNet and code repositories enhance her contributions to open science.
Marco Letta is a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at the Department of Social and Economic Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome. His research focuses on economic development , regional economics , policy evaluation , and applied econometrics , with a strong emphasis on climate change impacts, food security, and machine learning applications in economic policy. University: Sapienza University of Rome Department: Department of Social and Economic Sciences Email: marco.letta@uniroma1.it His recent work explores the climate migration nexus , household resilience , and policy targeting , often leveraging machine learning and empirical econometric methods . Publications span topics such as local inequalities during the COVID-19 crisis , temperature shocks in rural Tanzania , and machine learning applications in state aid regulation . Notable trends in his research include: Integration of machine learning with traditional econometric techniques Focus on climate resilience and migration patterns Analysis of policy impacts in developing economies Investigation of local mortality estimates during global crises Development of cross-country empirical frameworks Current projects include assessing agrifood system vulnerabilities and refining counterfactual policy evaluation methodologies.
Paolo Colla is an Associate Professor of Finance at Bocconi University and serves as Director of the International Economics and Finance B.Sc. Program. His research focuses on asymmetric information in financial markets, corporate financing strategies, and market fragmentation. He has published extensively in leading journals such as the Journal of Finance and Review of Financial Studies. Key topics include price manipulation in FX markets, debt structure dynamics, and the impact of legal frameworks on financial instruments. His work bridges theoretical finance with practical applications, addressing issues like sovereign debt pricing and regulatory policy implications. Teaching responsibilities include courses on financial modeling, derivatives, and institutional finance. His research has explored diverse themes, including the dissemination of short-sellers' information and strategic trading behaviors in fragmented markets. Despite no explicit mention of awards or grants, his prolific publication record underscores his scholarly contributions to corporate finance and financial markets.
Tindara Addabbo is a Full Professor at the Department of Economics 'Marco Biagi' of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Her academic roles include teaching and research in economic policy, labor economics, and gender equality. She coordinates courses such as 'Introduction to Macroeconomics,' 'Sustainability Report,' and 'Labour and Industrial Economics' at both undergraduate and master's levels. Her research focuses on gender wage gaps, LGBTQI+ workplace inequalities, gender budgeting, and inclusive teaching methodologies like Team-Based Learning (TBL). Her educational background aligns with her academic career, though specific details are not explicitly stated. She actively participates in institutional reforms to promote gender equality in academia, including the development of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) and gender-auditing frameworks. Research interests span labor market dynamics, policy impacts on well-being, and sustainable development goals. Notable projects include analyzing gender disparities in wages and employment, the role of corporate policies in reducing inequality, and the effects of the green transition on work quality. Her publications emphasize evidence-based approaches to gender equality, academic inclusivity, and policy evaluation. She collaborates with international organizations and contributes to EU initiatives on social and economic policy.
