Mercè Oliva is an Associate Professor at the Department of Communication, Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Barcelona. She serves as Director of the B.A. Programme in Audiovisual Communication and Coordinator of the MEDIUM Research Group. Her academic background includes a PhD in Social Communication (2010) and a Bachelor's in Audiovisual Communication (2002) from UPF. Research Focus: Television and Reality TV Celebrity and Media Culture Neoliberalism and Political Communication Video Games as Cultural Artifacts Her recent publications analyze: Visual motifs in political coverage (handshakes, hugs, kisses) Citizens' responses to neoliberal resilience narratives Celebrity tax evasion cases (e.g., Cristiano Ronaldo) Video game cover art as neoliberal propaganda Working-class stereotypes in Spanish media ('chonis', 'canis') Key collaborations include co-PI roles in projects like 'Heroes of the Crisis' (2015-2019) and 'Redistributive Imaginaries' (2022-2025), funded by Spain's Ministry of Economy and AEI/NextGenerationEU.
Dr Maria Kendrick is Senior Lecturer in Law at City Law School, City, University of London, where she also serves as Assistant Dean for Employability and Student Outcomes. She is a Research Fellow at the Centre of European Law, King's College London, and a Member of the Institute for the Study of European Law (ISEL). She has held visiting lecturer positions at the London School of Economics (2017–2020) and King’s College London (2015–2018). PhD in Law, King's College London (2018) LL.M, King's College London LL.B, King's College London Bar Vocational Course, Gray's Inn Dr Kendrick’s research centers on EU and international tax law, with a focus on differentiated integration, the Subsidy Control Act 2022, and the repayment of NextGenerationEU debt. She explores how taxation functions within EU own resources and the implications for fiscal sovereignty post-Brexit. Her work intersects with broader themes of EU constitutional development, transatlantic tax coordination, and digital economy taxation. She is particularly known for analyzing the limits of tax harmonization within the EU and the role of differentiated integration as a viable path forward. Her recent and forthcoming publications analyze the legal feasibility of EU tax proposals to repay NextGenerationEU debt, the impact of the Subsidy Control Act on public spending, and transatlantic agendas on corporate taxation. These works reflect a consistent trend in EU fiscal governance, post-Brexit legal frameworks, and the tension between harmonization and national sovereignty in tax matters. Dr Kendrick has received notable recognition, including a lifetime Fellowship from King’s College London and research funding from the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ for the PRIN 2017 project on European federalism. She is a Member of the Editorial Board of the Global Trade and Customs Journal and a Reviewer for EUBlog . She has advised and contributed expert evidence cited by the House of Lords Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. She has organized and spoken at high-profile events, including a roundtable in the House of Lords on Subsidy Control and Levelling Up. Her research is supported by grants and collaborative networks such as EUFUTURES and UACES, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to EU integration. Dr Kendrick leads the LLM International Tax Law module and is actively involved in research networks including DiCE (Differentiation: Clustering Excellence), an EU-funded project on differentiated integration. She has presented her work at international conferences in the UK, EU, and beyond, reinforcing her role as a leading scholar in EU tax and integration law.
Petri Pihko is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, University of Jyväskylä. He leads the active research group Pihko Group: Making Molecules , focusing on synthetic organic chemistry, catalysis, and mechanistic studies. His research interests span synthetic methodology, organocatalysis, total synthesis of natural products, and the development of redox-active molecules for sustainable aqueous organic flow batteries. The group emphasizes both the practical application of new synthetic tools and the mechanistic understanding of chemical transformations. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in dual research tracks: (1) development of novel catalytic methods and mechanistic insights in organic synthesis, and (2) design and evaluation of new electrolyte materials for next-generation energy storage systems, particularly flow batteries. This interdisciplinary approach bridges traditional organic chemistry with materials and energy science. Pihko has secured significant funding from the Academy of Finland, the Research Council of Finland (EXATH and INBAT projects), and the European Union (NextGenerationEU via FlowXAI project). He collaborates extensively with computational chemists (Prof. Imre Pápai, Prof. Kari Laasonen), structural chemists (Prof. Kari Rissanen), and electrochemists (Prof. Pekka Peljo). His research group includes several doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, indicating active mentoring. Key members are Veera Bruce, Aino Rolig, Anton Nechaev, Sanna Stenfors, and Eeki Tarkkonen.
Mario Mardirossian is an Associate Professor at the University of Trieste, affiliated with the Department of Life Sciences. He actively participates in departmental governance as a member of the Departmental Council and Course of Study Recommendations committees for multiple biomedical programs (SM51, SM70, SM70A). Role: Scientific manager of the EU-funded PrAMP4KleBI project Research focus: Host defense peptides and biomedical applications Contact: mmardirossian@units.it His research investigates proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) as novel therapeutic agents against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections. This work aligns with the department's biomedicine research scope and leverages molecular microbiology approaches. Current projects include the EU NextGenerationEU-funded initiative (Prot. 2022EKWRHB) addressing urgent antimicrobial resistance challenges. He collaborates with Richard Sola in this research, which remains active through September 2025.
Nikolina Ilieva Nikolova is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics , Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" , Bulgaria. Her work focuses on Teaching Methodology in Informatics , ICT in Education , and Competence-Based Learning . She contributes to international projects like Erasmus+ and MOTIVATE , exploring digital competence development and inclusive education strategies. PhD, Sofia University (2017), Pedagogy of Education (Informatics) Master Degree, Sofia University (1996), Mathematics and Informatics Her research emphasizes innovative teaching methods and digital transformation in education, particularly in secondary schools. Recent publications address peer-assessment , distance education impacts during the pandemic, and inclusive learning design . She co-developed educational tools like the PLEIADE Intellectual Output series and Share.TEC portal for teacher training. Key projects: 21st Century Skills (Erasmus+), Multicultural Classrooms (Erasmus+), SUMMIT (NextGenerationEU) Collaborates with institutions across Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Albania
Maurizio COSSI is a Professor at the Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale Amedeo Avogadro , Department of Science and Technological Innovation. His research focuses on advanced materials for environmental applications and optoelectronics. Density Functional Theory Adsorption Polarizable Continuum Model Organic Optoelectronics Catalysis Recent projects include RODEO (NextGenerationEU-funded research on organic photovoltaics) and WITCHeS (MUR-funded work on cellulose-based biorefineries). His publications analyze methane storage systems, sensor technologies, and catalytic processes. He leads research on nanoporous materials for energy applications, with grants from institutions like MIUR and Fondazione Cariplo. His collaborations span environmental monitoring, molecular modeling, and surface chemistry.
Dr. Etienne Schneider is a researcher at the University of Vienna's Institute for International Development within the Faculty of Social Sciences. He holds an ÖAW-APART scholarship from the Austrian Academy of Sciences. His work focuses on the political economy of climate protection, EU climate policy, and socio-ecological transformation, particularly examining industrial policy conflicts around carbon dioxide removal and residual emissions. Current projects include strategies for demand-side climate protection in Austria and EU hydrogen policy analysis. Education background inferred from professional context includes a PhD in Political Science. Research interests span global political economy, European monetary integration, and materialist state theory. He has conducted studies on Germany's Industrial Strategy 2030, NextGenerationEU funding impacts, and green extractivism in Latin America. Recent projects include a Climate and Energy Fund-funded initiative on demand-side climate strategies and an APART-GSK program-supported study on EU carbon management agendas. His work critically evaluates industrial policy intersections with climate goals and geopolitical shifts. Key awards: ÖAW-APART scholarship holder (2022–present). Active in collaborative research networks, co-editing volumes on regulation theory and contributing to policy analysis frameworks. Grants: APART-GSK program (2022–present), Climate and Energy Fund (2022–present). Involved in multi-stakeholder initiatives linking academic research with policy-making processes.
Chiara Ragni is an Associate Professor of International Law at the State University of Milan, affiliated with the Department of Italian and Supranational Public Law. She focuses on migration studies, transnational families, and gender equality, leading international research projects such as 'Migration Studies and New Societies.' Scientific head of Migration Studies and New Societies project Member of MUSA (Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action) initiative funded by EU's NextGenerationEU Editorial board member of GenIUS Journal (2019-present) and QIL Questions of International Law (since 2012) Her research intersects human rights law, migration policy, and legal frameworks for children/families of foreign origin, particularly analyzing transnational family dynamics and integration challenges. Chiara Ragni has edited significant legal volumes addressing fundamental rights in transnational contexts and contributes to the UN 2030 Agenda through her work on social sustainability and inclusion.
Marta Martin Llaguno is a Professor of Communication and Advertising at the University of Alicante, specializing in ethics in advertising and general information theory. She earned her PhD in Information Sciences from the University of Navarra with a thesis on media treatment of AIDS, later published as a monograph. Her research focuses on health communication, gender studies, and the ethical foundations of communication. Education: PhD in Information Sciences (University of Navarra, 1999) Her work includes over 50 peer-reviewed articles, 6 monographs, and participation in more than 20 competitive research projects. She directs the COSOCO (Communication and Knowledge Society) research group and is a member of the Public Health group at UA, the High Performance Research Group in Media and Political Communication, and the Public Policy Evaluation Group at URJC. She has also served as academic secretary for the doctoral program in the Faculty of Economics and Business at UA and teaches in doctoral programs in Social Welfare, Inequality, and Public Health. Marta’s recent publications analyze topics such as NextGenerationEU fund communication, political corruption scandals, media events, and digital skills post-COVID. These works intersect with fields like political communication, public policy transparency, and digital media ethics. She has been a visiting professor at institutions in Peru, Argentina, and the U.S. and a visiting researcher at IESE Business School and City University of New York. From 2015 to 2019, she served as a member of the Spanish Congress of Deputies, resigning over ethical conflicts.
Gabriela Constantin is a Full Professor of General Pathology and Immunology at the University of Verona, Italy, and Head of the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology (LONI). She holds a medical degree and PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pathology from the University of Verona, with prior neurology residency training at the University of Milan. Research Focus: Leukocyte trafficking in brain autoimmune/inflammatory diseases (multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's) Key Themes: T cell activation networks, blood-brain barrier dynamics, neutrophil roles in neurodegeneration Funding Sources: European Research Council (ERC), National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA), Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (USA), Italian Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (FISM), PNRR #NEXTGENERATIONEU, Horizon Europe Marie Curie networks.
Annalisa Loviglio is a researcher specializing in education policy and labor economics, with a focus on issues such as digital inclusion, mentoring programs, and school effectiveness. Her work evaluates interventions targeting marginalized populations, including low-income families and disadvantaged students. She has conducted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Italy and Spain to assess the impact of digital literacy programs, mentorship initiatives, and educational policies on academic and socioeconomic outcomes. Her research spans topics like the effects of peer mentorship on university enrollment choices, the role of school quality beyond standardized test scores, and the consequences of high-stakes exams during the pandemic. She has won the Carlo dell’Aringa Award for her structural model analyzing school impacts on student trajectories. Her current projects include studies on mentoring in Catalonia, funded by NextGenerationEU, exploring how mentorship shapes educational aspirations and retention. Her findings emphasize the importance of addressing both access and skill development in digital inclusion, the heterogeneous effects of educational policies on different demographics, and the need for tailored interventions to improve equity in education and labor markets.
Meneghini Vasco is a Fixed-term Researcher (RTD-A) in Human Histology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University's School of Medicine and Surgery in Milan, Italy. His academic career spans prestigious institutions including San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), Imagine Institute of Genetic Diseases in Paris, and University of Piemonte Orientale. Ph.D. in Food and Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies, University of Piemonte Orientale (2010) Master Degree in Industrial Biotechnology, University of Milan-Bicocca (2006) Bachelor in Molecular Biotechnology, University of Milan-Bicocca (2003) Dr. Meneghini's research focuses on gene therapy for lysosomal storage diseases , CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing applications , and neural stem cell engineering . His work integrates advanced techniques in viral vector development, iPSC modeling, and hematopoietic stem cell manipulation to address neurological and hematological disorders. Current projects emphasize AAV vector optimization, immune response characterization, and developing allele-specific editing strategies for neurodegenerative conditions. His publication record reveals a strong emphasis on translational neuroscience and regenerative medicine , with recent work (2022-2025) concentrating on AAV vector immunogenicity, neural stem cell safety profiles, and combinatorial genome editing approaches for sickle cell disease. Key trends include developing safer CNS delivery systems, optimizing iPSC-derived neural models, and advancing precision editing techniques for monogenic disorders. NextGenerationEU-PNRR grant, Italian Ministry of University and Research (2022) BGTC AAV Biology research program (Co-PI), Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (2022) Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Individual Fellowship (2020) Ricerca Finalizzata - Giovani Ricercatori grant, Italian Ministry of Health (2019) Sanofi iAwards Europe (2019) As Project Leader at SR-Tiget's Gene and Neural Stem Cell Therapy Unit, Meneghini directs research on lysosomal storage disease therapies while serving on editorial boards for Frontiers journals. His collaborative network spans European and American gene therapy consortia, with significant contributions to international sickle cell disease research initiatives and European Leukodystrophies Association family-researcher engagement programs. Meneghini maintains active laboratory operations at San Raffaele-Telethon Institute, leading a multidisciplinary team focused on vector development, neural stem cell characterization, and preclinical validation of gene editing approaches. His group collaborates extensively with clinical teams at San Raffaele Hospital and international consortia including the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy.
Nicodemo Giuseppe PASSALACQUA is an Associate Professor in Environmental and Applied Botany at the Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, a position he has held since 2024. Previously, he was a Type B Researcher at the same department from 2021 to 2024. He has a long-standing association with the Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum of Calabria, having served as Curator and later as Head from 2019 to 2021. He is a member of the Scientific Council of the Museum System of the University of Calabria and the Technical Committee for the Protection of Nature and Mycological Heritage in Calabria. He currently serves as the scientific coordinator of a major EU-funded project under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and is part of the teaching staff for the Life Science and Technology PhD program. PhD in Biosystematics and Plant Ecology, University of Florence (1995) BSc in Natural Sciences (with honors), University of Florence (1990) His research centers on plant ecology, phytogeography, biodiversity, and conservation, particularly of Mediterranean and Calabrian flora. He investigates intraspecific variability, functional traits, and the impact of environmental gradients on plant form and function. His work also includes documenting native and alien vascular flora, as well as algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens in Italy. He applies botanical knowledge to cultural heritage through studies on biodeteriogenic flora on historical buildings. His recent publications show a consistent focus on floristic documentation, plant systematics, and ecological adaptation. Articles such as 'Intraspecific variability of leaf form and function' and 'Old-growth forests in the Pollino National Park' reflect his interest in plant-environment interactions and conservation. His involvement in 'Notulae' series highlights his role in updating the Italian flora inventory. Work on 3D modeling for pasture monitoring indicates innovative methodological approaches. Scientific Coordinator, 'Operational protocols and tools for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems' (Tech4You Project, EU NextGenerationEU) Phytotaxa Section Editor for Morphometrics and Saxifragales Member, Teaching Staff, Life Science and Technology PhD Program Member, Scientific Council, Museum System, University of Calabria Representative, Technical Committee for Nature and Mycological Heritage, Calabria He teaches Applied Phytogeography, Systematic Botany, and Plant Ecology at the University of Calabria. His affiliation with the 'Vegetal Biology' research group, specifically the 'Taxonomy, Conservation and Plant Ecology' section, places him within a collaborative environment focused on biodiversity and conservation. He has co-authored over 220 publications, with more than 90 indexed in major databases, demonstrating sustained research productivity and collaboration with national and international experts in botany and ecology.
Martina Ceolin is a researcher at the Department of Comparative Linguistic and Cultural Studies of Ca' Foscari University of Venice. She holds a PhD in Medieval Icelandic Literature from the University of Iceland, where her dissertation explored temporal concepts in Icelandic sagas. PhD in Medieval Icelandic Literature (University of Iceland, 2020) Master's in Linguistic and Cultural Studies (Ca' Foscari University, 2013) Bachelor's in Western Languages and Cultures (Ca' Foscari University, 2008) Her research focuses on Old Norse philology, Icelandic manuscript traditions, and temporal representation in medieval sagas. She investigates intertextual dynamics within 'post-classical' Íslendingasögur and applies polysystem theory to Scandinavian textual culture. Her translation work centers on medieval Icelandic texts, particularly Án the Archer's saga, combining philological rigor with literary adaptation. Recent publications analyze manuscript transmission patterns, feasting practices in sagas, and genre classifications of paranormal narratives. She leads the "Texts in Contexts" research project (2022-2025) supported by the European Union's NextGenerationEU initiative. Organizer of international conferences on medieval emotion, genre theory, and translation practices Active in codicological research and polysystemic analysis Recipient of EU research funding for manuscript studies Contributor to cultural legacy studies of Old Norse literature Invited speaker at multiple international medieval congresses Member of the Italian Association of Germanic Philology (AIFG)
Dr. Xiaojiao Yuan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institut Català d'Investigació Química (ICIQ) under the research group of Prof. J.R. Galán-Mascarós. Her work focuses on photocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels, funded by the grant FJC2021-047222-I from MCIN/AEI/UE 'NextGenerationEU'. She completed her doctoral studies at the Université de Bourdeaux. Her research aligns with ICIQ's strategic areas in sustainable catalysis and renewable energy. The Galán-Mascarós group, where Yuan collaborates, includes researchers like Dr. Vanesa Lillo (Group Scientific Coordinator) and Dr. Santiago Capelo Aviles, alongside PhD students and visiting scholars addressing advanced catalytic systems. Yuan’s expertise contributes to developing innovative photocatalytic pathways for carbon-neutral energy solutions. Contact: xyuan@iciq.es .
