Lines of Research
Supervising Professors: Camisasca E. (PSIC-02/A), Catania D. (MATH-02/B), Cattoni E.(CEAR-05/A), Chiappini G. (IIND-03/A), Covelli V. (PSIC-03/A), Focacci F. (CEAR-07/A), Tomasicchio G.R. (CEAR-01/B), Fucarino A. (BIOS-12/A), Zimatore G. (PHYS-06/A).
Development of research projects aimed at analysing and improving individual and collective well-being is encouraged, as these conditions are significantly affected by the risks arising from ongoing climate change, Italy’s high seismic and hydrogeological vulnerability, and critical issues relating to water/hydraulic safety and the resilience of port and logistics systems, in a context of widespread environmental degradation affecting the country’s land and maritime areas. Safety assessment, forecasting and risk perception may therefore have a clear impact on social living conditions and economic development. Consequently, this research area promotes original projects aimed at defining innovative criteria and methodologies for risk assessment and mitigation. Particular value is placed on research projects involving the development of suitable mathematical models, the use of digital technologies and the adoption of best practices for assessing biopsychosocial factors in the public and private sectors. Specific research topics include innovative and sustainable techniques for the construction and/or rehabilitation of infrastructure for risk prevention and mitigation; assessment of damage to construction materials in order to verify the actual risk conditions of structures; identification of biological and psychological markers related to risk-related stress and the associated psychological factors; analysis of subjective risk perception and assessment of its effects on individual and collective behaviours oriented towards safety and prevention.
ERC areas: PE8 Products and Processes Engineering; SH4 The Human Mind and Its Complexity; LS4 Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing.
Supervising Professors: Arnesano M. (IMIS-01/A), Bocci E. (PSIC-03/A), Catania D. (MATH-03/A), Chiappini G. (IIND-03/A), Cioccolanti L. (IIND-06/B), Cosoli G. (IMIS-01/A), Covelli V. (PSIC-03/A), De Giorgio A. (PSIC-01/A), Del Zotto L. (IIND-06/B), Focacci F. (CEAR-07/A), Kuznetsov O. (IINF-05/A), Marchetti B. (IIND-05/A), Melone L. (CHEM-06/A), Pedroli E. (PSIC-01/C), Rossi M. (IIND-03/B).
Research projects are encouraged that aim to reduce environmental impact through the design and application of new technologies, processes and methodologies for more efficient and sustainable development. The topics included in this research area are: the definition of systems and strategies to reduce CO2 emissions through the implementation of efficient processes in different production sectors with a view to promoting a circular economy; the study and characterisation of materials, including innovative and eco-sustainable materials, aimed at their reuse and recycling; the application of systems and methodologies for the energy transition, including in civil and transport contexts; the analysis and improvement of quality of life in indoor and outdoor environments; and the assessment of citizens’ behaviour and perceptions in relation to sustainable development. These topics are addressed by integrating cross-disciplinary expertise and multidisciplinary approaches through experimental and theoretical-numerical methodologies, including advanced Artificial Intelligence techniques.
ERC areas: PE7 Systems and Communication Engineering; PE8 Products and Processes Engineering; PE6 Computer Science and Informatics; LS7 Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases; SH3 The Social World and Its Diversity; SH4 The Human Mind and Its Complexity.
Supervising Professors: Arnesano M. (IMIS-01/A), Baldari C. (MEDF-01/B), Iuliano E (MEDF-01/A), Picerno P. (MEDF-01/A), Vecchio F. (BIOS-06/A), Cautela D. (CHEM-07/B), Di Fronso S. (MEDF-01/A), Fucarino A. (BIOS-12/A), Cosoli G. (IMIS-01/A), Pecori R. (IINF-05/A), Amatori S. (MEDF-01/B), Ieraci A (BIOS-10/A), Zimatore G. (PHYS-06/A), Miraglia F. (BIOS-06/A); Nimbi FM. (PSIC-08/B); Verdini F (IBIO-01/A); Kuznetsov O (IINF-05/A).
Basic and translational research projects will be developed to understand and characterise the mechanisms and processes of active lifestyles related to the psychophysical well-being of individuals operating in risk conditions, of patients with disabling diseases, and to promote appropriate lifestyles among the general population, also in relation to environmental sustainability, taking into account age, gender, diet and level of physical activity. Projects will also be developed with the aim of characterising therapeutic interventions designed to improve the lifestyles of individuals affected by chronic metabolic diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes mellitus and cancer). Further research actions will focus on the identification and study of the biological activity of bioactive compounds found in food, with a view to their potential use in preventive interventions against chronic-degenerative diseases and cancer. In addition, preclinical models will be used to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which environmental factors (physical exercise, diet, drugs of abuse, etc.) influence brain disorders. Research objectives will be pursued through innovative and sustainable methodologies for measuring (both locally and remotely) and analysing biomolecular, psychological, kinematic, physiological, and environmental data, with the aim of enabling personalised interventions. The tools are also based on new ICT technologies (wearables, IoT, Machine Learning) and innovative molecular biology technologies.
ERC areas: LS1 Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions; LS4 Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing; SH4 The Human Mind and Its Complexity; LS2 Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems; PE6 Computer Science and Informatics; LS5 Neurosciences and Neural Disorders; PE7 Systems and Communication Engineering.
Supervising Professors: Bocchio Chiavetto L. (BIOS-10/A); Cavallo M. (PSIC-04/B); De Giorgio A. (PSIC-01/A); Di Fronso S. (MEDF-01/A); Di Lernia D (PSIC-01/A); Ieraci A. (BIOS-10/A); Iuliano E. (MEDF-01/A); Kuznetsov O (IINF-05/A); Lombardi E. (PSIC-02/A); Marchetti B. (IIND-05/A); Miraglia F. (BIOS-06/A); Nimbi FM. (PSIC-08/B); Pecori R. (IINF-05/A); Pedroli E. (PSIC-01/C); Picerno P. (IBIO-01/A), Tradigo G. (IINF-05/A), Vecchio F. (BIOS-06/A), Verdini F (IBIO-01/A).
This research area focuses on the design, development and validation of innovative, high-tech approaches and systems for promoting the health and well-being of people with disabling and/or chronic diseases of a physical and/or mental nature. The approach is interdisciplinary and integrates advanced technologies with models and methodologies from medicine, bioengineering and the life sciences, also drawing on the contribution of experts in e-health and artificial intelligence. The new therapeutic, diagnostic and rehabilitative approaches combine biological, psychological, clinical, motor and technological expertise, including the use of molecular markers, clinical and neuropsychological assessments, analyses of residual motor abilities, and solutions based on new technologies, gamification and user experience. The research involves the development of systems for personalised diagnostics, the validation of protocols for assessing motor and cognitive activity, and the definition of personalised therapeutic and rehabilitative pathways, with particular attention to the assessment of outcomes and the sustainability of the proposed interventions.
ERC areas: LS2 Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems; LS4 Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing; LS5 Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System; LS7 Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases; SH4 The Human Mind and Its Complexity; PE6 Computer Science and Informatics; PE7Systems and Communication Engineering;
Supervising Professors: Bocchio Chiavetto L. (BIOS-10/A), Camisasca E. (PSIC-02/A), Lombardi E. (PSIC-02/A), Cavallo M. (PSIC-04/B), Covelli V. (PSIC-03/A), De Giorgio A. (PSIC-01/A), Vecchio F. (BIOS-06/A), Amatori S. (MEDF-01/B); Di Lernia D (PSIC-01/A); Nimbi FM. (PSIC-08/B).
Research projects will be developed concerning the identification of individual (psychological, biological and neurophysiological), relational, psychosocial and environmental factors that may foster stress conditions or promote psychological well-being and health in family, school, professional and healthcare contexts. Integrated approaches will be promoted, using innovative methodologies, including digital ones, to evaluate the synergistic effects of psychological and biological factors in the development of stress conditions and/or psychological and relational difficulties. Preventive and support intervention strategies will also be developed in the family, professional, school and healthcare spheres, identifying methods for assessing their effectiveness.
ERC areas: SH4 The Human Mind and Its Complexity; LS5 Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System; LS2 Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems; LS4 Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing.