SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR

Scientific Director

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Prof.ssa Maria Cristina Messa - e-mail: dirscient@dongnocchi.it

Cristina Messa is full professor of Diagnostic Imaging at University of Milano-Bicocca, where she has also been Rector from 2013 to 2019. She has been Minister of University and Research (2021-2022, President Mario Draghi). Today she is still Professor at the University of Milano Bicocca and also Scientific Director of the IRCCS Don Carlo Gnocchi Foundation.

After the degree in Medicine in 1986 and the specialization in Nuclear Medicine in 1989 she has been working both, as a physician in various Hospitals (always in Imaging Department) and as a researcher in Milano, Los Angeles (UCLA 1991-92) and London (MRC Cyclotron Unit, 1998-2001). She has also been vice-president of National Research Council (CNR) from 2011 to 2015. Author of more than 180 scientific papers, receiving more than 8000 citations, with a global H-index of 53 (consult her publications). Keywords related: Imaging, Emission Tomography, Metabolism. Research interests: Diagnostic Imaging, Neurologic disease, Cancer inflammation.

The Scientific Directorate promotes, coordinates, and regulates the scientific and research activities of the Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi.

Specifically, the Scientific Directorate is responsible for preparing strategic and programmatic research guidelines, organizing activities with a focus on translational aspects and innovation through networking collaborations, and the development of clinical and pre-clinical research, ensuring and monitoring its progress in compliance with the ethical principles that inspire the Foundation.

Moreover, the Scientific Directorate guides the general direction and planning of research and ensures the promotion, management, monitoring, and development of clinical-scientific research activities, supporting researchers in finding public and private funding.

The Scientific Directorate manages relationships with institutional bodies, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), universities, regions, Italian and foreign research institutes, the European Commission, and the National Research Council (CNR).

The Scientific Directorate is assisted by the scientific directors and deputy scientific directors of the research hospitals in Milan and Florence:

Scientific Director IRCCS “S. Maria Nascente” in Milan
Prof. Mario Clerici
Dr. Francesca Baglio (vice scientific director IRCCS-Milan)

Scientific Director IRCCS “Don Carlo Gnocchi” in Florence
Prof. Sandro Sorbi
Prof. Claudio Macchi (vice scientific director IRCCS-Florence)