Flavia Gasperi is a Full Professor at the University of Trento's Agriculture, Food and Environment Centre (C3A) and the Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), specializing in AGRI-07/A Food Science and Technology. She transitioned to this role in September 2024 after serving as Associate Professor at C3A since 2019. Her teaching includes Enology 1 – Sensory Analysis for Viticulture and Enology students and Sensory Quality of Agri-Food Products for the Master's program in Agrifood Innovation Management. Her research explores sensory perception mechanisms, consumer decision-making, and instrumental-sensory correlations in food science. Key focuses include: Individual variability in multisensory perception Consumer preference drivers for agri-food products Novel food processing techniques Validation of instrumental measurements against human sensory evaluation She established advanced sensory/instrumental laboratories at Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM) integrating GC-MS, PTR-MS, and texture analysis. She coordinates major EU projects including: SISTERS (2021-2026): Systemic innovations for food waste reduction (Horizon 2020) PROMEDLIFE (2022-2024): Developing Mediterranean diet-aligned novel foods (PRIMA Programme) MICROSENSDIET (2022-2025): Investigating oral microbiome-sensory perception linkages (PNRR funding) As a founding member of the Italian Society of Sensory Sciences (SISS), she served on its board for 20 years (2003-2023) and co-developed national sensory science certification frameworks. She also contributes to the Italian Society of Food Technology and has organized multiple international conferences including EuroSense 2018.
Francesca Strik Lievers serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Genoa, holding the academic classification GLOT-01/A in Glottology and Linguistics. She actively participates in departmental governance as a Member of the Department Board and teaches multiple courses including Glottology and Linguistics, General Linguistics, Semantics and Lexicon, and Advanced Linguistics across undergraduate and graduate programs in Modern Languages, Translation, and Cultural Services. Her research spans core linguistic domains with emphasis on glottology , semantic evolution , and cross-linguistic phenomena in Romance languages. Key interests include periphrastic constructions in Italian, linguistic synesthesia, contrastive acquisition patterns between Italian and Spanish, and mechanisms of linguistic creation in Romance languages. Her work bridges theoretical linguistics with cognitive and applied perspectives. Current publications reveal strong focus on diachronic semantics and cognitive-linguistic interfaces, particularly examining how syntactic structures evolve through semantic shifts and sensory metaphor systems. Her recent meta-analysis on linguistic synesthesia demonstrates interdisciplinary engagement with cognitive neuroscience frameworks. Professor Strik Lievers maintains active teaching responsibilities with office hours by appointment in Palazzo Serra (Room III.12), prioritizing student accessibility through direct email coordination (francesca.striklievers@unige.it) prior to semester commencement.
Daniele Proverbio is a Research Fellow in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Trento, where he teaches the "Mathematical epidemiology - modelling, parametrization and applications" course for PhD students. Previously, he was a Postdoc at the University of Luxembourg and contributed as a modeling consultant to the Luxembourg National COVID-19 taskforce. His educational background includes: PhD in Sciences de l'Ingénieurs with Specialization in Computational Sciences from the University of Luxembourg Laurea Magistrale in Physics of Complex Systems (110/110 cum laude) from the University of Turin and University of Western Piedmont Master in Business and Administration from Collège des Ingénieurs (Turin, Munich, Paris) Excellence school diploma from Scuola di Studi Superiori di Torino "F. Rossi" Daniele's research focuses on the robustness and resilience of complex systems, with applications spanning mathematical epidemiology, biological pathways, and neural networks. His work integrates models with empirical data using approaches from network science, multi-agent systems, and information theory. He has particular interest in critical transitions in natural systems and the ethics of AI, contributing to the field through both theoretical frameworks and practical applications in public health and biomedical contexts. His recent publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary approach, bridging computer science, biology, and social sciences. The research shows increasing focus on AI ethics, game-theoretic approaches to complex systems, and applications of mathematical modeling to epidemiology and biological systems. Notably, his work on Physarum polycephalum (slime mold) and critical transitions reveals innovative approaches to understanding complex adaptive behaviors. His scientific recognition includes: Winner of Best Thesis Award 2023 (University of Luxembourg) Winner of ESOF Travel Grant 2022 Winner of DESCOM Science Writing Competition 2021 Top 10 in COVID-19 Lung CT Lesion Segmentation Challenge 2020 Best presentation award at Euron + PhD Days conference 2019 International finalist at PLANKS 2017 Daniele serves as a reviewer for prestigious journals including PNAS and the Journal of the Royal Society B. He is a co-founder of Swarm Ethics and member of the editorial board of House of Ethics, focusing on actuable ethics for complex systems. His consulting work includes advising startups S-eye-S and Farmelody, and he has been actively involved in science communication through platforms like Instagram. As a member of multiple scientific societies including the Complex Systems Society and Network Science Society, Daniele contributes to the broader academic community through conference organization and editorial roles. He co-organized international workshops and serves on program committees for major conferences in complex networks and system theory.
Francesco Pavani serves as Full Professor of Experimental Psychology and Deputy Dean at the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) at the University of Trento, where he also holds the Rector’s delegate position for coordinating PhD programs university-wide. His academic leadership spans roles as Head of the PhD School in Cognitive and Brain Sciences (2013–2019) and international affiliations including associate membership at Lyon’s Centre de Recherche en Neuroscience. Pavani’s research bridges cognitive neuroscience, deafness studies, and multisensory perception with translational applications for cochlear implant users. Education Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Bologna (2000; Supervisor: Elisabetta Làdavas) Master equivalent degree (Laurea Magistrale) in Psychology, University of Bologna (1995) Honorary Research Fellow, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London (1998; Supervisor: Jon Driver) Visitor Scholar, Center for Neural Engineering, University of Southern California (1994; Supervisor: Michael A. Arbib) Research Focus Pavani investigates multisensory perception and attention mechanisms in typical and atypical populations, with emphasis on deafness, cochlear implantation, and neural plasticity. His work integrates psychophysics, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging to dissect how auditory, visual, and motor systems interact during spatial processing, language comprehension, and metacognitive judgments. Current projects examine spatial hearing rehabilitation through virtual reality, metacognitive aspects of listening effort, and the impact of face masks on communication for deaf individuals—addressing critical gaps in inclusive healthcare and education. Publication Trends His 2024–2025 publications reveal three dominant threads: (1) metacognitive dimensions of hearing (e.g., confidence in spatial judgments, effort tracking during speech-in-noise), (2) neural plasticity in cochlear implant users across ages, and (3) real-world communication barriers like face masks. Methodologically, he pioneers active listening paradigms where motor actions (reaching, postural adjustments) modulate auditory perception—highlighting embodiment’s role in sensory rehabilitation. Over 70% of recent work involves multicentric collaborations, emphasizing clinical translation. Scientific Recognition Giulio Tarra Award for Deafness Research (Pio Istituto dei Sordi di Milano, 2019) Prix Médisite en Neurosciences (Fondation de France, 2016) Chaire CIC-Cerveau et Santé Mentale (Fondation Neurodis, Lyon, 2015) Travel Fellowship, EuroConference on Spatial Neglect (2000) Premio Giovani Ricercatori, Italian Psychology Association (1997) Mentorship and Collaborations As leader of the Cognition Across the Senses (CAtS) research group, Pavani mentors postdocs, PhD candidates, and master’s students in projects spanning basic science (e.g., neural mechanisms of multisensory integration) to applied outcomes (e.g., VR spatial hearing training). His €2M+ grant portfolio includes European Marie Curie Fellowships and French-Italian collaborations like the CRNL partnership. He actively shapes policy as Rector’s delegate for PhD programs and previously coordinated university-wide student recruitment. Research Infrastructure The CAtS group operates within CIMeC’s state-of-the-art facilities, utilizing motion capture systems, eye-tracking, EEG, and custom virtual reality setups (e.g., SPHERE platform for 3D sound localization). Their work directly informs clinical tools like spatial auditory mapping devices (patented in 2024) and sign language accessibility protocols. Current initiatives focus on translating metacognitive training into rehabilitation apps for cochlear implant users and developing inclusive communication standards for healthcare settings post-pandemic.
Roberto Vezzani is an Associate Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia's Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering, specializing in information processing systems (ING-INF/05). Previously Director of the Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation Center (2018-2021), he holds a PhD in Information Engineering from the same institution. As senior member of AimageLab, he coordinates research on human-computer interaction using multi-sensor systems. His research spans: Computer vision for IoT and video surveillance Motion detection and action classification 3D vision with depth/thermal/event cameras Sensor fusion and automatic video annotation He leads competitive projects funded by Toyota, Ferrari, and EU programs, focusing on industrial applications of computer vision. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate strong focus on 3D pose estimation, robot perception, and efficient embedded vision systems, with applications in automotive, robotics, and UAVs. Awards include: Best Paper - ICPR 2020 (IAPR) Best Paper - VISAPP 2020 Best Paper - THEMIS'2008 Industrial collaborations feature multi-year projects with Ferrari (RedVision lab), Toyota Europe, and Tetra Pak. Teaching includes courses on Computer Architecture, IoT systems, and industrial AI.
Elisa CAVEZZALI is an Associate Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, affiliated with the Venice School of Management, Department of Management. Her scientific sector is Economia degli intermediari finanziari [ECON-09/B]. Professor CAVEZZALI's research focuses on financial intermediaries, banking operations, and corporate finance. Her work examines Basel liquidity regulations, credit risk assessment methodologies, debt renegotiation processes, and business angel investment dynamics in startup ecosystems. She frequently publishes in high-impact finance journals with a particular focus on European and Italian banking contexts. Her recent publications (2020-2024) demonstrate a consistent research trajectory examining the intersection of banking regulation, credit risk management, and financial intermediation. These works employ empirical methodologies to analyze large banking datasets, particularly focusing on Italian and European institutions. Professor CAVEZZALI teaches multiple courses across degree programs including: Corporate Finance and Financial Institutions Bank Products and Financial Instruments Bank Management Her teaching spans both undergraduate and graduate levels, with courses offered in both Italian and English. Office hours are held weekly at the San Giobbe campus, with appointment booking required through an online system.
Allegra Indraccolo is a Researcher in General Psychology at the European University of Rome within the School of Psychology. She is a core member of the Clinical and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory (CCPL), conducting experimental research on cross-modal correspondences, working memory, attention (including eStroop paradigms), decision making, and moral judgment. Dr. Indraccolo holds a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology. Her research spans cognitive and experimental psychology with primary focus areas including cross-modal perception, moral psychology, visuo-spatial working memory, creativity, embodied cognition, and attentional biases. She investigates how perceptual information influences cognitive processes and behavioral responses through rigorous experimental designs. Analysis of her publications (2013-2019) reveals consistent interdisciplinary work bridging cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Key trends include examining cross-modal correspondences in working memory performance, neural correlates of autism spectrum traits via EEG, temporal reproduction mechanisms, and attentional biases in food perception. Her methodology frequently combines behavioral experiments with neuroimaging techniques like eLORETA/sLORETA. She actively contributes to the Clinical and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory (CCPL), which develops digital psychological tools including the eStroop implementation, and supports experimental research in clinical and cognitive domains through advanced technical infrastructure.
Luca Berardi serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean at Università degli Studi di Napoli L’Orientale. His academic profile centers on Turkology, Ottoman Studies, and Turkish Literature within the framework of broader Caucasology and Islamic manuscript studies. His research interests span Ottoman historical chronicles, Turkish literary traditions, manuscript studies, and cross-cultural encounters between Islamic and European civilizations. Berardi specializes in analyzing Ottoman perspectives on European geography, particularly regarding early transatlantic discoveries and Mediterranean cultural exchanges during the Tanzimat period. His work frequently examines how Islamic sources interpreted classical antiquities and New World phenomena through late antique intellectual frameworks. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in 16th-17th century Ottoman chronicles of Columbus' voyages, Qur'anic manuscript production in captivity contexts, and Ottoman travelers' perceptions of Italian antiquities. His scholarly output reveals methodological strengths in paleographic analysis, biographical reconstruction from manuscript colophons, and comparative studies of Islamic and European historical narratives. Premio Nazionale per la traduzione (2019) for translating Dino Buzzati into Georgian and Ioane Sabanisze into Italian Berardi teaches Turkish Literature I, Ottoman Empire History, and Philology of Turkish at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His departmental affiliation with Oriental and African Languages and Cultures reflects his interdisciplinary approach bridging linguistic, historical, and cultural studies of the Islamic world. Current research appears focused on Ottoman manuscript traditions and their transmission across Mediterranean cultural boundaries.
Nona Mikhelidze serves as a Senior Fellow at Rome's Institute of International Affairs (IAI), specializing in EU-Eastern Neighbourhood relations, Russian foreign policy, and post-Soviet geopolitical dynamics. She is a prominent media commentator on Italian television and radio regarding the Ukraine war, while maintaining regular journalistic contributions to La Stampa and Il Foglio since 2020. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Political Science from Scuola Normale Superiore (Pisa) M.A. in Regionalism: Central Asia and Caucasian Studies from Humboldt University Berlin Dr. Mikhelidze's research centers on the intersection of Russian geopolitical strategy, European security frameworks, and conflict resolution mechanisms in the Caucasus region. She examines how non-EU actors perceive and influence Eastern Neighbourhood policies, with particular emphasis on information warfare dynamics and the realpolitik of post-Soviet conflicts. Her analysis integrates regional expertise with contemporary security challenges, especially regarding Ukraine's diplomatic survival strategies amid Russian aggression. Her 2025 publication portfolio reveals consistent thematic focus on Ukraine war escalation patterns, Kremlin decision-making processes, and external actors' roles in Eastern Europe. These works demonstrate methodological rigor in policy analysis while addressing urgent geopolitical questions about European security architecture and authoritarian expansionism. Her distinguished recognition includes: Viareggio Prize for Journalist of the Year (2023) honoring exceptional contribution to public debate on the Ukraine war Mikhelidze's research is institutionally sustained through IAI's resources and collaborative projects like SHAPEDEM-EU, enabling high-impact policy commentary without traditional academic student supervision. Her media presence and newspaper columns constitute a parallel knowledge-dissemination channel that amplifies her scholarly insights to policymakers and the public, particularly regarding Russian propaganda operations in Italy and the geopolitical implications of Ukraine's resistance strategies.
Giada Pierli is a Researcher at the Department of Pure and Applied Sciences (DiSPeA) at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, where she focuses on sustainability across diverse sectors including fashion, food systems, manufacturing, and tourism. Her research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to understanding sustainable business practices and consumer behavior through empirical methodologies. Her research interests span sustainability, circular economy, consumer behavior, lean manufacturing, environmental policy, and sustainable tourism. She frequently employs survey-based and case study approaches to investigate how businesses and consumers navigate sustainability challenges, with particular attention to generational differences in consumption patterns and the integration of digital technologies in sustainable practices. Her work often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in Italian markets and industries. Analysis of her publication trends reveals a strong focus on practical sustainability applications across multiple sectors. Her research demonstrates how circular economy principles can be implemented in fashion, food, and manufacturing industries, while also examining consumer perceptions of sustainability initiatives. She has conducted significant work on lean manufacturing's relationship with sustainability, particularly in the mechanical engineering sector, and has investigated how digital transformation can support sustainable business models. Dr. Pierli maintains an active research agenda with numerous collaborations, particularly with Federica Murmura, Laura Bravi, and Fabio Musso. Her research methodology typically combines quantitative survey data with qualitative case studies to provide comprehensive insights into sustainability challenges and opportunities. She has conducted research on diverse topics including wine marketing, organic food consumption, electric vehicle adoption, and water conservation practices, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise across business, environmental science, and consumer behavior domains.
Tiziana Ciano (born April 21, 1991) serves as a tenured Researcher and Assistant Professor at the Department of Economic and Political Sciences, University of Aosta Valley. She holds a PhD in Law and Economics & Doctoral Europaeus from Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria & University of Portsmouth, and a Master's Degree in Economics obtained with highest honors. Her academic appointments include Contract Professor at DICEAM Department, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, and membership in Decisions_Lab scientific laboratory. Dr. Ciano's research spans mathematical economics with strong AI applications: Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics Machine Learning and Deep Learning for socio-economic systems Stochastic Programming and Multi-objective Optimization Dynamic Systems and Epidemic Modeling Decision Support Systems for tourism and finance Her recent publications reveal a consistent focus on applying advanced mathematical methods to portfolio optimization, pandemic dynamics, climate change sustainability, and tourist flow forecasting. She has developed tri-objective optimization models for financial decision-making and fuzzy fractional-order models for pandemic dynamics, demonstrating methodological innovation across multiple domains. Dr. Ciano has received multiple prestigious recognitions including the Best Poster Award at DySES2022 conference for her work on fake news sentiment analysis during pandemics, a Research Award for her paper on duopoly game analysis published in Symmetry, and the Anassilaos Giovani Ricerca Award under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Italy. She serves on editorial boards of high-impact journals including Mathematics (MDPI) Financial Mathematics section (Q1, IF 2.592), Applied Mathematical Sciences, and International Journal of Contemporary Mathematical Sciences. As Guest Editor, she has curated special issues on mathematical economics, differential games, and symmetry in machine learning algorithms. She regularly referees for Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Information Processing & Management, and Scientific Reports (NATURE). Dr. Ciano actively participates in Decisions_Lab research laboratory and leads multiple collaborative projects including MONTUR (Real-time Monitoring of Tourist Flows in Aosta Valley), MEC – Marketplace Ecosostenibile Calabria, and IUSTIT-IA. She has organized numerous international conferences including AMASES 2023, NUMTA2023, and special sessions on predictive analytics and machine learning applications in socio-economic systems.
