Duration: 3 years
Coordinator: Prof. Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi
Description of the training project and objectives of the course
The PhD course in Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Bioethics includes the following curricula:
- Endocrinology, aimed at basic and clinical research on diabetes and endocrine-metabolic pathologies as well as complications, through the study of cellular biological processes and the pathophysiological mechanisms that characterize the course of these pathologies.
- Osteo-Oncological Pathology, aimed at the study of bone biology and physiopathology, in the context of bone metastases deriving from solid tumors and osteoporosis induced by antineoplastic treatments.
- Sciences of Aging and Tissue Regeneration, aimed at analyzing and deepening the mechanisms of organ senescence and plasticity, connected to the processes of physiological aging and to the plastic modifications induced by acute or progressive stimuli.
- Neurological Sciences, aimed at the analysis of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of neuromuscular diseases.
- Bioethics, aimed at acquiring theoretical knowledge of the philosophical schools that inform the different operating models of Medicine, as well as knowledge concerning philosophical personalism, work ethics and the history of medicine.
The training project is based on the acquisition of skills which, in a multidisciplinary context, allow the doctoral student to develop knowledge and skills oriented toward applied research. Without prejudice to the specificity of the path in terms of training curriculum, the training process will make use of the contribution of researchers with broad experiences in applied research, and of the close collaboration between the medical area, the bioengineering area and nutrition. The individual training project is a concrete path toward a finished product that translates proof of concept to applied research. Beyond the intrinsic value of the content and purpose of the individual research, it is the acquisition of the logical-deductive process at the basis of applied or translation-oriented research that constitutes the real expected product of the doctorate, i.e. the training of researchers capable of pursuing research objectives oriented towards applicable solutions and developed in a "comprehensive" vision, which the multiple skills available to probands offer.
In particular, the development of the individual training project includes:
- Definition and sharing of the objectives and foundations of the project with the PhD student
- Assignment to the PhD student of preparatory tasks for the development of the project up to the production of the first draft. In this phase, the PhD student will benefit from a training support calibrated on the needs that will emerge during the work
- Critical review of the training project in an interactive and multidisciplinary way, without prejudice to the pre-eminent role of the tutor
- Launch of the training project, consisting of applied or basic research, but with clear translational potential
- Constant didactic support from the tutor and other professionals identified by the course coordinator
- At least six-monthly review of the progress, recognition of any critical issues and adoption of corrective measures, where required
- Annual public report that allows discussion of the results achieved with professors, experts of interest, primarily from the business world, and other PhD students
- Presentation and final discussion of the PhD product, with a focus on the practical implications, immediate or after the proof of concept state, of the same
- Critical review of the training experience aimed at producing useful suggestions for improving the teaching activities of the next cycles
- Throughout the three-year period, the teaching activities focused on the single PhD student will be integrated with those of a general nature, which will have the aim of providing solid methodological foundations of research and a "comprehensive" assessment provided for by the interaction between researchers from different faculties, even if the PhD pertains to the medical area
Expected occupational and professional opportunities
The PhD course in Integrative Biomedical Sciences and Bioethics aims at training and educating graduates in an interdisciplinary research approach, also favored by the presence of professors from foreign universities within the College, which constitutes a qualifying aspect for greater competitiveness in the search for a future professional opportunity. With the achievement of this title, the future research doctor will have the possibility of having professional opportunities in the field of basic, pre-clinical and clinical research, in academic and non-academic realities, as well as in structures focussed on the increasingly emerging issues related to bioethics, such as foundations, non-profit associations, etc. Since the PhD is a privileged title for competitions for university researcher, there is the possibility for the future research doctor to participate in these competitions, which could also not be strictly related to the curricular path followed, thanks to the interdisciplinarity of this course and to the integration of the different curricula. Furthermore, during these three years the future PhD will have published in international journals with impact factor, as well as having held seminars, reports and communications at international congresses.
Consistency with the objectives of the PNRR
The curricular profile of the PhD is characterized by technical skills, orientation towards practical application, and knowledge of the relational dynamics between the world of research and the world of production, perfectly in line with the intent of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) to make increasingly more and diversified scientific skills available in areas of primary importance for the manufacturing world, including the biomedical area.
In particular, referring even only to the theme "Consequences and challenges of ageing", the doctoral course provides training that is strongly consistent with several of the proposed topics or aims to train researchers capable of contributing to their development. We mention first "Consequences and Challenges of Aging", but the training is also consistent with topics such as "Artificial intelligence: foundational aspects", "Diagnostics and innovative therapies in precision medicine", "Neuroscience and neuropharmacology", "Models for sustainable nutrition".
Verification tools
At the end of the first and second year, PhD students must present a written report on the activities carried out and hold a short seminar in front of the Academic Board which decides on admission to the following year. At the end of the third year, PhD students must submit an original Thesis which is submitted to the examination of two external reviewers. On the basis of the reports of the reviewers, the PhD students are admitted to the Final Test which consists in the presentation of the Thesis in front of a Commission composed of the Coordinator and at least two external Commissioners.