An strategic mission to consolidate the international positioning dell 'Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and develop new opportunities for scientific, academic and industrial collaboration. Between March and April 2026, a delegation UCBM visited some of the most prestigious universities and institutions in the United States, with stops in California, Atlanta and New York.
The initiative represented an important opportunity for discussion on the issues of advanced research, interdisciplinary training and joint program development in key areas such as bioengineering, artificial intelligence, quantum engineering, public health, innovative materials, and sustainability.
The mission started in California with a visit to the University of California, Berkeley, where the delegation UCBM met the Dean of Engineering, Professor Mark AstaAt the centre of the discussion, the prospects for collaboration in computational material science and the proposal of a Double Degree in Bioengineering. During the meetings, mutual interest also emerged for doctoral exchange programs, with particular attention to the areas of chemical engineering applied to the theme of water and technologies for advanced materials. The delegation also visited the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Molecular Foundry, exploring potential collaborations in the field of quantum materials and quantum engineering, as well as exchange opportunities for PhD students.
The next stop took place at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP), one of the world's leading centers for theoretical physicsThe meetings focused on long-term research programs and interdisciplinary collaborations dedicated to the modeling of biological and cardiovascular systems. Among the topics addressed: cardiac tissue physics, ultrasound tissue mechanics, biostatistics applied to medicine, and potential synergies within the European ERC and COST programs. Particular attention was also paid to the development of a possible Double Degree in Bioengineering with UCSB, as well as new collaboration opportunities in the fields of robotics, cybersecurity, and the physics of soft and living matter. During the visit, prospects for doctoral exchanges and future reciprocal visits between the two institutions also emerged, with the aim of consolidating an increasingly integrated international network.
The mission then continued to Atlanta, At Emory University, where the delegation UCBM met the teacher Alessandro Venetians, an expert in mathematics applied to cardiovascular systems and sensors. The meetings allowed us to define new prospects for scientific collaboration, shared teaching activities and doctoral courses, in addition to the programming of visiting professors and advanced schools dedicated to the topics of computational medicine and biomedical engineering. Also particularly significant is the recognition obtained by Leonardo Molinari, alumnus UCBM, awarded the Best PhD Award 2026 at Emory University and currently working as a PostDoc at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The delegation also met with Professor Dennis C. Liotta, an international figure of reference in organic chemistry and known for his contributions to the development of antiviral drugs used in HIV therapy. The discussion opened new perspectives for scientific support in chemistry and future international training activities.
The final stage of the mission took place between Princeton e New York, with meetings dedicated to the development of long-term academic partnerships. Princeton University, the delegation met with the Vice Dean of Engineering, the Professor Gabriele Villarini, discussing possible collaborations on the topics water, climate and energy, in addition to the availability to activate shared doctoral courses and future institutional visits at UCBMDuring the mission, meetings were also held with representatives from the industrial and innovation world, with particular attention to the development of internship opportunities and international collaborations. Columbia University, the confrontation with the Senior Vice Provost, the Professor Soulaymane Kachani, laid the foundations for a Memorandum of Understanding between UCBM and Columbia University, among the main areas of shared interest are AI for All, Quantum Engineering, Public Health, and the development of future Joint PhD experiences. Furthermore, an initial project discussed is the creation of a Double Degree in Biomedical Engineering. The initiative aims to gradually involve up to 10-20 students over the next few years, further strengthening the internationalization process. UCBMThe main areas of shared interest include AI for All, Quantum Engineering, Public Health, and the development of future Joint PhD experiences.
The institutional visit to New York is part of the assignment of the NIAF Award to Tom Cox, President of Friends of UCBM, foundation created on the initiative of the Biomedical University Foundation with the aim of promoting the values of the Campus Bio-Medico in the United States and concretely supporting projects and initiatives in the educational, healthcare, and social fields.
During the mission, the delegation took part in a series of strategic meetings with leading figures in the Italian-American community and the American institutional, academic, and medical world.
Among these, the meeting with the Morgagni Medical Society of New York, a historic association founded in 1890 that represents a point of reference for the Italian-American medical community in the United States.
The delegation also met with representatives of the American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit (ASILM), an organization that brings together American citizens awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, establishing itself as a highly qualified network of personalities committed to strengthening relations between Italy and the United States in various institutional, cultural and professional fields.
Participation in the events promoted by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the leading U.S. organization dedicated to promoting Italian culture and relations between Italy and the Italian-American community. Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., NIAF today represents one of the most important cultural, institutional, and philanthropic hubs for the Italian diaspora in the United States. >>Discover the opportunities UCBM with NIAF
During the visit, new contacts and relationships were also established with theItalian Cultural Institute of New York, with the aim of developing future collaborations and shared initiatives of a cultural and international nature.
The mission of UCBM in the United States it represented an important opportunity for dialogue with the world of institutions, culture and business, contributing to strengthening the international role of the University and the construction of new collaboration networksThe mission in the United States confirms the will to UCBM to invest decisively in the internationalization of teaching, research and institutional relations.
