Dr Jack Chen is an organic supramolecular chemist whose research explores how molecules self-organise into dynamic and functional architectures. He is affiliated with the School of Science at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand and with the Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Siena, where he leads research groups focused on cooperative molecular systems that respond to external stimuli such as chemical fuels and light. These systems exhibit emergent behaviours – including adaptability and responsiveness – inspired by biological complexity. Jack completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Auckland in 2010 under the supervision of Dame Professor Margaret Brimble FRS. He then undertook postdoctoral research with Professor Varinder Aggarwal FRS at the University of Bristol (2011–2014), followed by a second postdoctoral stint in Padua, Italy, where he was introduced to supramolecular chemistry in the group of Professor Leonard Prins (2014–2016). Since 2016, Jack has held a faculty position at AUT, where he established his independent research group. He joined the Faculty of the University of Siena in 2020.

Ugo Chianese, PhD, is Assistant Professor (RTDA) in General Pathology at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Department of Precision Medicine. He obtained his PhD in Translational Medicine with honors, focusing on epigenetic mechanisms in prostate cancer. His research centers on the interplay between metabolism and epigenetics in cancer, with particular emphasis on metabolic heterogeneity, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics integration for precision oncology. He has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications (H-index 11) and has received national and international awards, including the Francesca Martini Prize for Best Oral Presentation at SIBBM 2025. He is actively involved in PhD training and international collaborations. He is co-founder of CIRCE srl, an academic oncology spin-off developing innovative biomarker-based diagnostic strategies to improve early detection and patient stratification in cancer, bridging translational research and clinical application.

Isabel Delany received her undergraduate and doctorate degrees in Molecular Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork, Ireland. She received a Transfer and Mobility Research grant from the EU and came to Chiron Vaccines in Siena in 1998 for her postdoctoral research and has stayed in industry research for her career. She is now a Senior Director and has over 25 years of experience in vaccines R&D. Her major contributions have been in the characterisation of bacterial virulence factors, the identification of vaccine antigens and monoclonal antibodies at the preclinical level of R&D for new vaccine formulations against bacterial pathogens, and to the design and development of technology platforms for engineering vaccine components. She is currently Head of Molecular Biology and Bacteriology in the Bacterial Scientific area of GSK Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in Siena. She is also the Scientific Director of the PhD and PostDoc program of the Sciences Academy in GSK Italy.

Michael Jewett holds a PhD in Biomedicine from Lund University in Sweden. During his doctoral studies, he discovered a passion for scientific communication, recognizing his ability to translate complex biomedical concepts into clear and accessible information. He believes that effective storytelling is essential in making science engaging and impactful, helping bridge the gap between scientific research and industry, as well as the general public. This passion led him to a role as editor and studio reporter for BioStock, a digital media company based in Lund, Sweden, delivering news and analyses for industry professionals and investors in the biopharma and medtech sectors of the Nordic region. Recently, Michael transitioned to the role of medical writer for the global tech company, Globant, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I am a researcher in the group of Chiara Zurzolo at the Institut Pasteur, where I investigate the cellular and structural mechanisms underlying the spread of pathogens and neurodegeneration. I am specialized in cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) and cryo-electron tomography to study intercellular communication at high resolution.
My early work focused on the propagation of toxic protein aggregates such as α-synuclein and tau in neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to the characterization of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) as key mediators of cell-to-cell transfer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I expanded my research to examine how SARS-CoV-2 exploits TNTs to spread directly between cells, including neurons, revealing a potential mechanism for viral neuroinvasion and immune evasion. Currently, I investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger or accelerate neurodegenerative processes. Using human brain organoids and advanced imaging approaches, my research aims to uncover the mechanistic links between viral infection, protein aggregation, and neuronal dysfunction.

Edoardo Sozzi is a postdoctoral researcher in the Quantitative Developmental Biology Lab led by Prof. Barbara Treutlein at ETH Zurich, where he investigates the extrinsic mechanisms that shape human neuron specification. His research bridges developmental neurobiology, stem cell biology, and single-cell genomics to understand how interactions between diverse neuronal subtypes influence cellular identity, maturation, and connectivity.
Edoardo received his Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and Master's in Neuroscience from the University of Pisa and the Scuola Normale Superiore. During his PhD in Malin Parmar's lab at Lund University, he developed human pluripotent stem cell-derived models of midbrain development, combining 3D brain organoids, in vivo transplantation, and single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect dopaminergic neuron specification at single-cell resolution and advance cell replacement therapies for Parkinson's disease.
Building on this foundation, Edoardo is now combining single cell genomics and functional approaches to recapitulate the complexity of human brain development in vitro, with the goal of uncovering how neuronal networks are established. His work aims to improve current systems for disease modeling and cell replacement therapies for neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, dementia, and Huntington's disease.

An interpreter and translator of English and German, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Languages and a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences (110/110) from Roma Tre University. She has completed postgraduate training in Patient Advocacy Management (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 2023/24), Medicines Research & Development (EURORDIS, 2024), and EU Project Design (Sapienza University of Rome).
In 2016, she founded NAnA ETS, a registered charity supporting research in adolescent leukemia and the education of disadvantaged students, where she serves as President. Since 2009, she has taught in the Master’s program in Languages and Tourism Management at Roma Tre University.
Her experience spans interpreting, translation, teaching, and event organization, with collaborations including the Italian National Research Council, the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, and the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine. She also lived in Canada, where she collaborated with Carleton University in Ottawa.
She has served on school boards in Italy and internationally, including on the Board of Directors of the Swiss School of Rome. On November 13, 2024, she was awarded the Romei Prize. Since July 2025, she has been a member of the Committee for Advanced Therapies at the European Medicines Agency.

Rino Rappuoli is Scientific Director of the Biotecnopolo di Siena Foundation, Italy.  He is also Honorary Professor of Vaccinology at Imperial College, London, and Senior Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Siena. Prior positions held: Head R&D and Chief Scientist at GSK Vaccines, head of Vaccine R&D at Novartis, CSO at Chiron Corporation, head R&D at Sclavo.
He earned his PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena, Italy, and was visiting scientist at Rockefeller University and Harvard Medical School.
He is elected member of US National Academy of Sciences (NAS), American Academy of Arts & Sciences (AAAS), American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), Royal Society of London, Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Awards received: Gold Medal by the Italian President, Albert B Sabin Gold Medal, Canada Gairdner International Award, European Inventor Award for Lifetime Achievement, Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, Robert Koch Award, Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement. He is President of the International Union of Microbiological Societies. He was voted the world's third-most influential person in the field of vaccines at the Terrapinn World Vaccine Congress in 2013. Currently, he is ranked second most important person worldwide in the specialty of vaccines by ScholarGPS.   He has published 844 works in peer-reviewed journals and an H-index of 169.
He introduced novel scientific concepts: genetic detoxification; cellular microbiology; reverse vaccinology; pangenome. Developed licensed vaccines: acellular pertussis containing a non-toxic mutant of pertussis toxin; first conjugate vaccine against meningococcus C; conjugate vaccines against meningococcus ACYW, MF59-adjuvanted seasonal and pandemic influenza. MF59 was the first vaccine adjuvant approved for human use after the aluminum salts; meningococcus B by reverse vaccinology; cell culture-based influenza vaccine, respiratory syncytial virus, CRM 197 as carrier of most conjugate vaccines.
Founder of the GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH) Professor Rappuoli is among the world scientific leaders dedicated to the sustainability of global health.

Dr. Nunzio Del Gaudio is currently a Tenure-Track Researcher in General Pathology at Link Campus University. After graduating with honors in Medical Biotechnology in 2013 from University of Naples Federico II, he pursued a PhD in Biochemistry and Biotechnological Sciences at University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, focusing on the role of epigenetic factors involved in the onset and progression of acute myeloid leukemia. He subsequently expanded his research experience at the Genomic Sciences Center of the Italian Institute of Technology, located within the IFOM-IEO campus, where he investigated transcriptional and epitranscriptional mechanisms regulating gene expression. He later served as Assistant Professor (RTDA) at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” continuing his research in the fields of epigenetics and oncology. Throughout his career, Dr. Del Gaudio has undertaken research and training periods at several prestigious international institutions, including Radboud University, University of Amsterdam, and Institute of Molecular Biology. His current research focuses on epigenetics and epitranscriptional regulation in cancer biology. His main research interests include:

• Identification of novel therapeutic targets for innovative anticancer strategies
• Molecular characterization of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic alterations driving tumor progression
• Discovery of new molecules with potential antitumor activity