Member of the Scientific Committee
Scientific Committee
Orlando Armignacco
Medical Director Hospital “Our Lady of Good Counsel” Tirana – Albania
He specialised in Infectious Diseases in 1979 at the University of Naples. He was Director U.O.C. of Infectious Diseases AUSL Viterbo from 2001 to 31 December 2018. Adjunct Professor of Infectious Diseases at the Catholic University of Rome, Tor Vergata University Rome, teaches at ‘La Sapienza’ University Rome since 2012.
His assignments include:
- President of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT) in 2012-13; currently SIMIT Pro-Board since 2017;
- Member of the Working Group on Hepatitis B and C Viruses of the Ministry of Health for the ‘National Plan for the Prevention of Viral Hepatitis B and C Viruses (PNEV), 2012-15; Member of the Working Group on Therapy of HCV Infection of the Lazio Region 2016 – 2018;
- Contributor since 2010 to the annual drafting of the Italian Guidelines for HIV disease; Consultant infectivologist since 2020 for Azienda Sanitaria Roma 1 for the study and analysis of medical liability claims.
- Author of numerous scientific publications, many of them in IF journals, book chapters on infectious diseases, entries for medical encyclopaedias
Member of the Scientific Committee
Matteo Bassetti
President SITA Italian Society of Anti-Infective Therapy
Born in Genoa on 26 October 1970, Professor Matteo Bassetti is Director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at the Policlinico San Martino Hospital in Genoa, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Genoa and Director of the School of Specialisation in Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the University of Genoa. From 2011 to 2019, he was Director of the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Udine Integrated University Health Authority, Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Udine and Director of the School of Specialisation in Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the University of Udine.
Prof. Bassetti graduated from the University of Genoa in 1995 and specialised in infectious diseases at the same university in 1999. He furthered his studies with a post-doctoral fellowship in infectious diseases at Yale University in Hew Haven, USA in 2000-2001 and completed a PhD in infectious diseases and organ transplantation at the University of Genoa in 2004. He worked as a Medical Executive at the Policlinico San Martino in Genoa from 2001 to 2011.
Prof. Bassetti is President of the Italian Society of Anti-Infective Therapy (SITA) and member of the executive committee of the National Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance (PNCAR) of the Ministry of Health. Chair of the Infections in the Critical Patient study group of the leading European society of infectious diseases, the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID/CIP study group). Membro eletto e co-chair dell’executive committee dell’International Society of Chemotherapy (ISC). Membro eletto (2018-2022) dell’International Council of the Immunocompromised Host Society (ICHS). Since 2019, he has been an elected member of the International Sepsis Forum (ISF).
Prof. Bassetti is the author of more than 800 articles published in international journals with more than 25000 citations and an Hindex of 84 in the field of infections in the critically ill and immunocompromised patient, bacterial resistance, fungal infections and other infectious diseases.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Bruno Cacopardo
Full Professor in Infectious Diseases at the University of Catania.
Director of the Infectious Diseases Unit P.O. Garibaldi Nesima since 2014. Coordinator Aggregate School of Specialisation of Infectious Diseases of Catania (Lead Partner Palermo) since 2011. Member of the National Executive Board SIMIT Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases since 2010.
His assignments include: Consultant to the WHO Joint Steering Committee on HIV-Leishmania co-infection; Member of the GISIG and AISF-SIMIT-SIMAST panel of experts; President Simit Sicilia section; Expert Advisor to the Sicilian Regional Health Minister.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Antonio Cascio
Full Professor of Infectious Diseases, Director of the UOC of Infectious Diseases and Regional AIDS Reference Centre – AOU Policlinico “P. Giaccone” University of Palermo
Director of the School of Specialisation in Infectious Diseases, University of Palermo
The scientific activity is documented by more than 300 publications on topics of Epidemiology, Clinical and Therapy of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases indexed in Scopus. Scopus H index 42 and more than 6500 citations.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Antonio Craxì
Full Professor of Gastroenterology / former Director, Complex Operative Unit of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico ‘Paolo Giaccone’, Palermo
Born in Messina, he graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Palermo in 1975. He specialised in Gastroenterology at the University of Rome in 1979, and was a research fellow at the Royal Free Hospital in London in 1980-81 under the direction of Dame Sheila Sherlock. He is currently retired, having been Full Professor of Gastroenterology MED 12, until 31.10.2022, and Director of the Complex Operative Unit of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico ‘paolo Giaccone’, Palermo, until 31.10.2022
He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Italian (AISF) and European (EASL) Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; member of the Public Policy Health Committee of EASL; President of the SIGE Italian Society of Gastroenterology. He coordinated the drafting of guidelines on hepatitis C, hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma for AISF and EASL. In 2016 he received the EASL Career Award and in 2018 the AISF Career Award, the PHC Award and the Sheila Sherlock’s Award. He served on the editorial board of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Journal of Hepatology, Gut and Liver International.
He has published 552 papers to date in international journals. The Complex Operative Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico, which he heads, is recognised as a regional tertiary specialist centre. The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit houses the School of Specialisation in Diseases of the Digestive System, which coordinates a training network of 15 units of gastroenterology, endoscopy and internal medicine, located in seven health authorities in the Region of Sicily. The specialisation school, the only one of its kind in Sicily and capable of training 15 gastroenterologists each year, constitutes the largest ideal centre for gastroenterological training in all of central-southern Italy.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Fabrizio De Nicola
General Director ARNAS Garibaldi of Catania
Born in Messina, he graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Palermo in 1975. He specialised in Gastroenterology at the University of Rome in 1979, and was a research fellow at the Royal Free Hospital in London in 1980-81 under the direction of Dame Sheila Sherlock. He is currently retired, having been Full Professor of Gastroenterology MED 12, until 31.10.2022, and Director of the Complex Operative Unit of Gastroenterology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico ‘paolo Giaccone’, Palermo, until 31.10.2022
He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Italian (AISF) and European (EASL) Association for the Study of Liver Diseases; member of the Public Policy Health Committee of EASL; President of the SIGE Italian Society of Gastroenterology. He coordinated the drafting of guidelines on hepatitis C, hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma for AISF and EASL. In 2016 he received the EASL Career Award and in 2018 the AISF Career Award, the PHC Award and the Sheila Sherlock’s Award. He served on the editorial board of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Journal of Hepatology, Gut and Liver International.
He has published 552 papers to date in international journals. The Complex Operative Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico, which he heads, is recognised as a regional tertiary specialist centre. The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit houses the School of Specialisation in Diseases of the Digestive System, which coordinates a training network of 15 units of gastroenterology, endoscopy and internal medicine, located in seven health authorities in the Region of Sicily. The specialisation school, the only one of its kind in Sicily and capable of training 15 gastroenterologists each year, constitutes the largest ideal centre for gastroenterological training in all of central-southern Italy.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Haider Muftah Salem El Saeh
Director General National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) – Tripoli (Libya)
He graduated in medicine and surgery from the University of Tripoli in 2012 and started his career as a teaching assistant. He then obtained a master’s degree in ‘Field Epidemiology’ from Alexandria University, followed by a PhD in ‘Community Medicine’ from Tripoli University. He has been working for 7 years as a monitoring and evaluation consultant for several international NGOs and UN programmes in the health sector.
Dr. Haidar is considered one of the first health professional influencers, conducting a live public information programme with the aim of raising awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic. Given his young age, Dr. Haider was the youngest member of the highest scientific advisory board. He was recently appointed Director General of the NCDC National Centre for Disease Control in Libya.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Tiziana Frittelli
President Federsanità
From 1 March 2021, he will head the AO S. Giovanni Addolorata in Rome, after having directed, from 1 July 2014 to 28 February 2021, the Policlinico Tor Vergata and having held, from 2012 to 2014, the position of Director General of Acismom, an international public health organisation of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
A graduate in law and economics, with a Master’s degree in Management Engineering, she has been an NHS Manager since 1998, having worked first at the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital and then at the Policlinico Tor Vergata, as Director of the Human Resources Department.
She was an advisor to Siveas, the Minister of Health’s steering committee for regions with a recovery plan. On behalf of Agenas, he worked on updating the anti-corruption plan in healthcare. Since 1 March 2021, he has been collaborating with Aran’s Studies, Resources and Services Directorate, for the preparation of analyses preparatory to negotiation activities and in-depth studies on contractual issues of general importance, with particular reference to disciplines relating to the economic treatment of the ‘Health’ sector.
She is the author of texts and numerous articles in the field of public health, a speaker at national conferences and a lecturer in university courses.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Carmelo Iacobello
Director UOC of Infectious Diseases Cannizzaro Hospital of Catania
He graduated in Medicine and Surgery and obtained specialisations in Geriatrics, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology at the University of Catania. Since March 2016, he has been the Director of the UOC of Infectious Diseases at the Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania and under his direction in 2019, the renovation works of the Department were and delivered with the establishment of a high isolation area that, during the pandemic, allowed for an area capable of guaranteeing an effective barrier for the protection of staff and patients.
In June 2021, he was called by AGENAS to be a member of the working group of twelve experts for the definition of criteria for the appropriateness of admissions of COVID-19 patients in different care settings.
He is the author of numerous scientific publications in national and international journals and, as a member of the National Governing Bodies, he organised the 14th National Congress of the Italian Society of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT) and the 12th National Congress of the Italian Society of Infectious Therapy (SITA) as President and Scientific Director.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Antonio Mistretta
ISS Superior Health Institute
He holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery, specialisation in ‘Hygiene and Public Health’, and a Ph.D. in ‘Pathologies of Infections and Immunodeficiencies’. He then served as Director of the School of Specialisation in ‘Hygiene and Preventive Medicine’ at the University of Catania, ‘G.F. Ingrassia’ Department. From the same school he became Associate Professor of Hygiene. Collaborator, Scientific Communication Service, Presidency – Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS).
Main lines of research: health promotion and health literacy, epidemiology of the main chronic-degenerative diseases, with a focus on behavioural and lifestyle risk factors (BMI, diet, lifestyle habits).
He designed health education campaigns on environmental and lifestyle issues promoted by UNESCO, AIRC and CIPA (Industrial Consortium for the Protection of the Environment) and materials for playful teaching on behalf of the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC) and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Observatory (OssFAD).
Member of the Scientific Committee
Arturo Montineri
Director Uoc Infectious Diseases San Marco Catania
Born in Modica on 20/04/1967. He graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Catania in 1992. At the same university in 1997 he specialised in Infectious Diseases and also in 1997 he obtained a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the University of Liverpool (UK).
After his specialisation, he worked for three years in Africa (South Sudan, Angola and Zimbabwe) coordinating primary care projects for war refugees in refugee camps and local hospitals funded by the European Union’s emergency relief programme (ECHO) on behalf of the Milan-based NGO COSV.
In Zimbabwe from 2002 to 2003, he initiated and coordinated, together with the local Ministry of Health, a programme for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. Since 2016, he has directed the Complex Operative Unit of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the ‘G. Rodolico – San Marco’ University Hospital in Catania.
Chairman of the Scientific Committee
Francesco Santocono
Lecturer in Health Law Giustino Fortunato University / Head of U.O.S Institutional Communication ARNAS Garibaldi Catania
A graduate in Law and Political Science of International Relations, he began his career as a journalist by writing for several Sicilian periodicals. He worked mainly on art, culture and entertainment until 2002, when he became the Editorial Director of a major Sicilian sports magazine.
In 2005, he was called to coordinate the Press Office of the Garibaldi Hospital, where he was also in charge of institutional communication and external relations. During this experience, he founded the scientific and health magazine ‘Il Garibaldi’, whose editorship he took over and which earned him the prestigious international award for journalists ‘La Giara d’Argento’ the following year.
Since the 2004 academic year, he has been an adjunct lecturer at the University of Catania for the Degree Course in Nursing Sciences. Since 2012, he has been an adjunct lecturer in health law in the Degree Course in Law at the ‘Giustino Fortunato’ University of Benevento.
In 2009, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief of the legal-scientific journal ‘Mercati, Valori e Regole’ published by the ‘Ateneo’ Cultural Association.
From 2013 to 2018, he was an advisor to the Mayor of Catania on health policies. During this experience, he was asked to lead the E-Med-Med project by OCCAM, which will be presented at the UN headquarters in New York.
He recently wrote and directed the social film for the fight against AIDS ‘Me & Freddie. A kind of magic’, for which he was awarded the ‘Massimo Troisi’ prize for best director.
Member of the Scientific Committee
Stefania Stefani
President of the Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM) / Full Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology
Full Professor of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology and Head of the Laboratory of Medical Molecular Microbiology and Antibiotic Resistance (MMAR) at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences and at the Policlinic of the University of Catania. He is currently President of the Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM) since 2019 and of the Research Innovation Technology Lab (BRIT).
Within the MMAR, an institution active in the surveillance of resistant pathogens and the testing of the antimicrobial activity of new molecules, its scientific activity is mainly related to different aspects of antibiotic resistance in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbes: from molecular mechanisms and epidemiology to genome study and characterisation of mobile elements carrying resistance genes.
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