In the Capital the event “Shaping What's Next” of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di RomaThe Rector Rocco Papalia and the director of the Doctoral School, Marco Paggi, outline the strategic role of advanced training. The special guest is Professor Dennis C. Liotta, an internationally renowned scientist. Two roundtable discussions with faculty, doctoral students, alumni, and representatives of institutions and businesses explore the opportunities for shared research and the challenges of technology transfer.
Rome, October 23 2026 Research generates value when scientific knowledge meets the skills, ideas, and innovation capabilities of universities, institutions, and businesses. This is the perspective behind the La Nuvola conference, held yesterday afternoon at the Rome Convention Center. “Shaping What's Next – Giving shape to the future”, the event promoted by theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma (UCBM) to explore the role of doctoral training in developing cutting-edge research and transforming knowledge into innovation.
The Doctoral School was at the centre of the meeting UCBM Its educational program is closely linked to the master's degree programs, research activities, and collaborations with the business world. This model aims to nurture young talent, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and create new opportunities for scientific and professional growth, including through research programs developed in collaboration with businesses.
The proceedings were opened by the Rector of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, teacher. Rocco Papalia, the new director of the Doctoral School, Prof. Marco Paggi, and the Pro-Rector for Teaching, prof. Emiliano Schena, who illustrated the prospects of advanced training and the contribution of doctorates to the scientific and cultural growth of the University.
The special guest of the afternoon was Professor Dennis C. Liotta, professor at Emory University in Atlanta and an internationally renowned scientist for his contributions to the development of innovative drugs in the fight against AIDS. In his keynote speech, entitled “Insights from my unlikely career in drug development”Liotta retraced his scientific and professional journey, offering a testimony on the relationship between basic research, intuition, perseverance, and the development of new therapeutic solutions. His contribution highlighted how scientific research requires not only solid expertise, but also the ability to tackle complex problems, work interdisciplinary, and transform discoveries into concrete applications.
Two round tables they animated the debate, involving representatives of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, PhD students, alumni and professionals from the world of business and research.
The first, "Building a doctoral path between research, business, and a professional future", moderated by teacher. Nicola Napoli, Deputy Director of the Doctoral School, explored the opportunities offered by the doctorate, comparing different educational and professional experiences. Speakers included Prof. Gaia Tabacco, the professor. Raffaele Antonelli Incalzi, Eng. Luigi Raiano, Prof Loredana Zollo, Dr. Gaia Bondani and Donato Cappetta, of Eustema/Lutech Group, Prof. Paolo Soda, Dr. Rosa Spaccavento and Dr. Giuliano de Seneen, of BonnassisaLab, and Prof. Chiara Fanali.
The comparison brought attention to the value of collaboration between universities and businesses in building research paths capable of responding to concrete needs, on the skills required of researchers and on the professional prospects that doctoral training can open up even outside of an academic career.
The second roundtable, "From Research to Impact: The Challenges of Knowledge and Technology Transfer", moderated by teacher. Leandro Pecchia, Vice-Rector for Research, and by Prof. Sara Ramella, Vice-Rector for the Third Mission, addressed the issue of technology transfer and the conditions necessary for research results to translate into innovation and generate a concrete impact on society.
The comparison was attended by Giovanni Gherardi, Research Director of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità; Davide warrior, Research Director of Dedalus SpA; Marco Massenzi, Chief Executive Officer of Teleconsys SpA; Oreste Riccardo Natale, CEO of Mosaico Controllo Integrato Srl; and Fabio Scappaticci, Plant Director of SAPLOSpA The experiences shared by the speakers allowed us to delve deeper into the role of collaborations between academic research, institutions, and companies in the development of technological solutions and innovative applications, with particular attention to opportunities for leveraging scientific knowledge.
"Doctoral training represents a fundamental step in enhancing the talent of young people and strengthening our University's research and innovation capacity.", has ofchiarato the Rector of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, teacher. Rocco Papalia. We want to offer our doctoral students an environment in which they can develop high-level scientific skills, independent thinking, and judgment, in constant dialogue between disciplines and with the business world. The doctoral program creates a strategic link between the master's degrees of our three faculties and cutting-edge research, helping to prepare professionals and researchers capable of facing future challenges and putting their knowledge to the service of society.
"Our mission is to build a meritocratic, inclusive and ethically aware environment, open to dialogue with public and private companies." has ofchiarato Prof. Marco Paggi, director of the Doctoral School UCBM. Alongside programs dedicated to research on cutting-edge topics, we promote initiatives inspired by industrial projects and apprenticeship doctorates, aimed at company employees who wish to invest in the advanced training of their staff. Thanks to the commitment of the University's researchers and their international networks, we aim to contribute to the growth of future leaders and strengthen the competitiveness of the country..
The Doctoral School UCBM coordinates training and research programs in the biomedical, engineering, and life sciences fields through three programs: Integrated Biomedical Sciences and Bioethics; Bioengineering, Applied Sciences, and Intelligent Systems; Sustainable Development: Environment, Food, and Health, which is accompanied by the doctorate of national interest in Artificial intelligence, health and life sciences.
With “Shaping What's Next”, theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma confirms its commitment to promoting a knowledge ecosystem open to dialogue between universities, research, and business, in which the training of young researchers, scientific quality, and interdisciplinary collaboration contribute to generating new opportunities for innovation and development.
