Institutional

On the Italian Research Day in the World, Ambassador Giorgio Marrapodi hosted Professor Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, in the evocative setting of Palazzo di Venezia in Istanbul. The evening was moderated by Ms. Dilek Bil, Independent Board Member of Aydem Renewable Energy. The event offered an important opportunity to explore topics such as research, innovation, scientific cooperation between Italy and Turkey, and the growing role of female leadership in the world of research. Several themes were addressed, connected to the role of women in science, from the contributions they can give, to the importance of STEM education starting from the earliest school levels. In his remarks, Ambassador Marrapodi emphasized “the importance of scientific research as a natural bridge for dialogue between countries and cultures, as well as an essential tool for tackling major global challenges together.” Before the dialogue with Ms. Dilek Bil, President Petrillo illustrated the activities and strategic objectives of Area Science Park, highlighting the importance of promoting open scientific ecosystems capable of connecting talents, companies, and research institutions in a virtuous network of collaboration and innovation.

More than forty representatives from Slovenian ministries and national agencies visited Area Science Park to learn about its research infrastructures and main activities in the S&T park in Trieste, as well as to create networking opportunities to foster future collaborations. The visit was part of the joint training activities envisaged under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), promoted by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency – ARIS, in collaboration with SPIRIT Slovenia, Business Development Agency. The visit took place on June 10 at the Basovizza Campus, where the morning was dedicated to Elettra Sincrotrone and FERMI (Free Electron Laser), scientific infrastructures with an international scope. In the afternoon, participants — divided into three thematic groups according to their scientific and technological interests — had the opportunity to visit Area Science Park’s laboratories and some of the tenant research centers and companies. Three thematic paths were proposed: one focused on Life Sciences, with visits to the Genomics and Epigenomics laboratories of Area Science Park, the National Research Council’s Institute of Materials (IOM-CNR), and the Italian Liver Foundation; a second path was dedicated to Innovative Materials, with  focus on  energy supply chains and advanced materials, involving the company AEP Polymers, and including experiences from the Electron Microscopy laboratories of Area Science Park and IOM-CNR; a third path was dedicated to Digital and Innovation, featuring technological and innovation infrastructures projects of Area Science Park—such as EDIH and the ORFEO Data Center—involving innovative companies such as Dronus, PLUS, and Primo Principio. The visit is part of the broader framework of international collaborations Area Science Park is involved in to promote integration among research systems, technology transfer, and innovation at the European level.

Giorgio Marrapodi, the Italian Ambassador to Turkey, visited Area Science Park accompanied by a delegation composed of Turkish and Italian entrepreneurs, professors, and dignitaries who live and work in the Republic of Turkey. Welcoming the delegation were the Director General, Dr. Anna Sirica, and the President of Area Science Park, Professor Caterina Petrillo, who presented the national research institution, the key milestones in its history, and its strategic priorities for the coming years: from the development and implementation of the institution’s research infrastructures to the management of the Trieste science and technology park, as well as projects related to green hydrogen. A brief focus was dedicated to the research activities of the Laboratory of Genomics and Epigenomics, presented by its facility Manager, Danilo Licastro. The Turkish delegation also had the opportunity to visit the laboratories of Dr. Schär, a leading company in the production of gluten-free and specialty dietary foods, which has a research and development laboratory within Area Science Park. Finally, the Ambassador and the delegation met with Valentino Pediroda, CEO of Modefinance, and Pinar Dilek, Rating Process Manager at the company, which is Europe’s first Credit Rating Fintech Agency, born from a university spin-off incubated at Area Science Park.