The words of the prof. Paolo Arullani, Honorary President of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, in memory of Prof. Vincenzo Lorenzelli, our Rector Emeritus, passed away on March 6, 2025.
"We did not know how to replace the figure of Giulio Marinozzi who had moved from ISEF to Campus Bio-Medico in 1993 with the role of Director of the then Free University Institute Campus Bio-Medico born with only the Faculty of Medicine.
Marinozzi had been committed to its development in the temporary headquarters of Via Longoni, with the clinical part supported by the American Hospital, but unfortunately he passed away in 1998.
We had to prepare for the transfer to Trigoria, prepare for a weight on our shoulders that could be even stronger than us! A hospital with 2005 potential beds and a building of about 450 square meters was to be built in 30.000.
We needed a "seasoned" Rector who shared the key points of our goal: it was no longer "a dream" it was a reality... even more difficult to achieve than a dream!
The Campus, as we familiarly called it, was not only "a new University" but a "new type of University" according to the definition given by Prof. Torsoli "inspired by the centrality of the person and the integration between research, healthcare and teaching".
The objective had to remain the "centrality of the person" even in its growth: student, teacher, patient, in addition to the objective of "Science for man".
It was therefore necessary to have an expert, well-known, esteemed academic, fully in tune with the characteristics to be achieved!
He, Vincenzo Lorenzelli, he was the person! An eclectic person who in his youth had ranged from the role of actor to that of world champion in butterfly swimming, now considered an international chemical researcher.
I remember him for his ability to share, which, in a collegial governance mode, is one of the most important characteristics, putting all his human and professional potential at the service, even as Rector.
I remember him for having allowed the transformation of "Libero Istituto Universitario Campus Bio-Medico" into Campus Bio-Medico University with the establishment of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering! And this is how we paved the way for our University to the One Health path later completed with the birth of the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Development and One Health.
I remember him in particular as a friend with whom we shared desires, ambitions and fears.".
Professor Paolo Arullani, Honorary President of theUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
