Department Department of Excellence

Department of Excellence

Recognition as a Department of Excellence 2023–2027

The Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA) has been selected by ANVUR as a Department of Excellence for the five-year period 2023–2027, as part of a procedure promoted by the Ministry of Universities and Research aimed at recognising Italian academic institutions that have achieved the best results in scientific research. The project was funded with Unique Project Code (CUP) B17G22000740001.

This recognition rewards the high quality of the Department's scientific output, its project planning capacity, and the strategic vision demonstrated in the submitted proposal: an articulated and sustainable plan aimed at developing new therapies and diagnostic tools for fragility at the extreme ages of life, from childhood to old age.

NEUROFARBA achieved the maximum score for the Standardised Departmental Performance Indicator (ISPD 100), confirming the solidity of its scientific and educational activities. The application was characterised by a strong multidisciplinary approach, combining preclinical, clinical, and psychological expertise, and by an extensive network of scientific and institutional collaborations, both nationally and internationally.

The funding, amounting to over 9 million euros, is intended to strengthen research infrastructure, attract new talent, innovate teaching, and promote ongoing dialogue with society. This result consolidates NEUROFARBA's role as a reference centre in the fields of health, translational research, and advanced training.

A cross-cutting challenge: addressing fragility at the extreme ages of life

The project carried out by NEUROFARBA as a Department of Excellence addresses one of the most urgent challenges for present and future medicine: fragility at the extreme ages of life, namely in childhood and old age. Two crucial phases of existence, marked by specific needs, which require targeted therapeutic approaches sensitive to biological, psychological, and social differences.

NEUROFARBA develops integrated research and innovation strategies, combining expertise in pharmacology, neurosciences, psychology, paediatrics, and geriatrics. The goal is to build new therapeutic and diagnostic solutions, moving beyond the notion that tools designed for adults can simply be adapted for fragile age groups.

In the course of the project:

• human cellular and molecular models are designed and validated in vitro to study complex pathologies;
• advanced functional and molecular imaging tools are tested for early diagnosis and disease monitoring;
• bioactive compounds and biotechnological tools are studied and developed for the modulation of specific therapeutic targets.

In parallel, NEUROFARBA invests in the human and relational dimension of care. Through dedicated training programmes, the communicative skills of clinical staff in their relationship with caregivers are strengthened, to improve care and promote the psychological wellbeing of families.

The project is distinguished by its translational approach: the results of basic research are translated into tools useful for clinical practice, with concrete outcomes for care and health. Every action is designed to generate a real impact on people's lives, valuing scientific knowledge as a collective resource.

Project areas

The work of the Department of Excellence is developed along three main lines, corresponding to the fundamental missions of the university. To explore the content and ongoing activities in depth, please refer to the dedicated sections:

• Research: new frontiers for health
• Education: cutting-edge training for the next generation
• Third mission: knowledge as a common good

Monitoring, committees, and recruitment

To ensure the correct progress of the project, a Department of Excellence Committee was established by Director's Decrees no. 3198 of 16/03/2023 and no. 4676 of 20/04/2023. The Committee monitors and evaluates research, teaching, technical, and administrative activities related to the project objectives.

Committee members:

• Prof. Raffaele Coppini
• Prof. Lorenzo Di Cesare Mannelli (coordinator)
• Dr. Maria Anna Donati
• Dr. Alessio Masi
• Dr. Stefania Nobili
• Dr. Alessio Nocentini
• Dr. Beatrice Poggini
• Dr. Valentina Spinelli

In support of specific project lines, the following sub-committees have also been established:

Teaching Sub-committee
(for Objective 2 – Teaching Implementation)

• Prof. Paola Gratteri
• Prof. Marzia Innocenti
• Prof. Elisabetta Teodori

Third Mission Sub-committee
(for Objective 3 – Third Mission)

• Dr. Maria Anna Donati
• Prof. Anna Maria Pugliese
• Prof. Silvia Selleri

Joint Committee
(for monitoring Action 4 on teaching and the new doctorate)

• Dr. Alessandro Bonardi
• Prof. Emilio Portaccio
• Dr. Camilla Bonaudo
• Dr. Irene Di Marco (no longer in post)
• Student - currently being replaced

International Advisory Board
Composed of high-profile experts involved in external supervision:

• Dr. Albano Meli – INSERM, Montpellier (France)
• Dr. Alexandra Benchoua – CECS/I-STEM, Corbeil-Essonnes (France)
• Dr. Nathalie Vergnolle – INSERM, Toulouse (France)

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Recruitment

The following staff have already been recruited during the project:

Associate Professors (sectors with clinical activities)

• Prof. Valentina Bessi – Neurology (SC 06/D6, SSD MED/26), AOU Careggi
• Prof. Simona Fiori – Child Neuropsychiatry (SC 06/G1, SSD MED/39), AOU Meyer

Fixed-term Researchers (type B)

• Dr. Alessio Masi – 05-G1, BIO/14 (Pharmacology) (from 1/12/2023)
• Dr. Elisabetta Coppi – 05-G1, BIO/14 (Pharmacology) (from 1/12/2023)
• Dr. Alessio Nocentini – 03/D1, CHIM/08 (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) (from 1/10/2023)

Technical-administrative staff

• Dr. Laura Carraresi – Technical Staff Cat. D/1, permanent contract (from 2/10/2023)

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Funded doctoral fellowships

Thanks to the Excellence project funds, NEUROFARBA has funded two doctoral fellowships as part of the national interest doctoral programme in Life Course Research, administratively based at the Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications "Giuseppe Parenti":

• XXXIX cycle: Dr. Camilla Fazi (from 1/11/2023)
• XL cycle: Dr. Maria Giovanna Cataldi (from 1/11/2024)