Innovative technologies and sciences for health and active aging PhD, Cycle XLI

The PhD program trains experts in healthcare technologies and innovation through two curricula: Innovative Biotechnologies, focused on organ transplantation, predictive medicine, novel biomarkers, advanced diagnostics, oncology, rare diseases, and aging biology; and Innovative Clinical Research Methodologies, covering emerging infectious diseases via big data, robotic surgery, regenerative medicine, AI and bioinformatics for healthcare improvement, telemedicine, active aging strategies, risk management, decision-making tools, healthcare innovation governance, and legal aspects. The program acts as an interdisciplinary platform for developing preclinical and clinical technologies, with a shared semester for integration and collaborations with public and private partners.

Thematic Areas:
Two training curricula are planned: 

  1. Innovative Biotechnologies
    Biotechnologies applied to organ transplants; Predictive medicine and new biomarkers in
    human pathology; Development of innovative diagnostic technologies; Biotechnologies
    for the characterization, molecular diagnostics, imaging and personalization of
    oncological therapy and rare diseases; the biology of aging. 
  2. Innovative Methodologies in Clinical Research
    Technologies for the study of emerging infectious diseases through big data analysis; Innovation and robotic surgery; Regenerative medicine; Bioinformatics and artificial intelligence for the improvement of the NHS; Telemedicine and proximity medicine; the promotion of strategies for active aging; Risk management; Innovative tools to support medical decision-making processes; Governance of innovation in the healthcare sector; Law, healthcare liability and new technologies; BCT and new business models in medicine. 

The PhD course will operate as an interdisciplinary work platform to develop health technologies
in the preclinical and clinical-therapeutic fields. The 2-curricula design offers parallel visions
with a core-business of technological innovation and a semester of multidisciplinary integration.
Experiences in application and production sectors are provided by the various public and private
partners.

Educational Objectives:
The doctoral program aims to train the next generation of leaders in research on innovative
technologies for health in academic, industrial and clinical settings. It intends to develop an
organic and innovative research program that, by combining new technologies with the most
recent discoveries in biomedical research, guides the development and clinical translation of
technologies for public health. 
The educational objectives of the doctoral program are:

  • the development of innovative surgical technologies, including the implementation of
    robotic surgery 
  • the development of innovative clinical-laboratory diagnostic technologies 
  • the development of advanced therapeutic technologies and regenerative medicine 
  • innovative biotechnological approaches for the characterization, molecular diagnostics, imaging and personalization of neoplasm treatments 
  • biotechnologies applied to organ transplants 
  • predictive medicine and the development of new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers applied to human pathologies 
  • screening, diagnosis and development of innovative therapies for rare diseases 
  • the development of new medical devices and innovative services, such as bioinformatics and artificial intelligence applications, for the improvement of the National Health System  Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of strategies for the study of aging and for the promotion of active aging.

Attività Didattiche:
Il percorso formativo include insegnamenti, seminari e laboratori su temi quali:

  • Attività di laboratorio
    Frequenza dei laboratori di ricerca dei Team afferenti al CdR. Attività di training in laboratorio per l'acquisizione di skills per l'attuazione del progetto di ricerca. Acquisizione di competenze laboratoriali basate su nuove tecnologie.
  • Perfezionamento informatico
    Machine Learning
    Introduzione alle macchine di apprendimento
    Apprendimento supervisionato e non supervisionato
    Macchine di apprendimento supervisionato
    Classificatori in probabilità
    Ensemble di metodi
    Il corso prevede esercitazioni pratiche con software e/o linguaggi specifici
  • Perfezionamento linguistico
    Organizzazione di corsi e periodi di formazione all'estero per migliorare la conoscenza della lingua inglese. Stage in piattaforma con sedi internazionali in lingua inglese. Possibilità di partecipazione a Corsi di Lingua organizzati dal Centro Linguistico di Ateneo, con rilascio di opportuna certificazione linguistica.
  • Seminari
    Seminari dedicati a tematiche di approfondimento inerenti le biotecnologie innovative della ricerca traslazionale e clinica e alle progettualità dei dottorandi con l'intervento di "Guest Professors" afferenti ad altre istituzioni nazionali e alle strutture coinvolte nel corso di dottorato. Inoltre, ulteriori seminari verranno proposti in base alle indicazioni fornite periodicamente dai membri del Board of Advisory.
     

Educational Activities:
Expected teachings

  • Linguistics
  • Informatics
  • Management of research, knowledge of research systems and funding systems
  • Valorisation of research results and intellectual property
  • Statistics: Data Analysis in R

Other educational activities

  • Laboratory activities
  • Computer improvement
  • Linguistic improvement
  • Seminars

Planned Courses:

  1. Linguistics
  2. Computer Science
  3. Research Management, Knowledge of Research Systems, and Funding Systems
  4. Exploitation of Research Results and Intellectual Property
  5. Statistics: Data Analysis in R

Coordinator:

Members of the Academic Board:

Members from other staff, businesses, public administrations, cultural institutions, and research
Infrastructures

PhD students actively participate in Third Mission initiatives, including seminars, conferences, and public engagement activities with public and private entities, schools, associations, and local institutions. The PhD program fosters dialogue between research and society, promoting the dissemination of healthcare and technological innovation through multidisciplinary events and inter-institutional collaborations, with the aim of enhancing the social impact of scientific research (Researchers’ Night).

In order to optimize the procedures for authorization and reimbursement of missions for participation in scientific initiatives in Italy and abroad, it is necessary to follow the following steps:

  • Send an email, preferably with at least seven days' notice, to the Coordinator and the secretariat requesting authorization for the mission, in accordance with the designated tutor. If available, attach the event flyer or other documentation related to the initiative you intend to participate in.
  • Once you have received approval from the Coordinator via email, send the authorization request form reserved for doctoral students to the Administration and Accounting Service
    - (email: antonio.demeo@unifg.it) for the necessary internal procedures. The form should be completed and signed in each section.
  • For the mission, it is possible to request a cash advance, for which the form must be completed and attached to the aforementioned mission assignment.
  • At the end of the mission, submit the duly signed reimbursement request form to the Administration and Accounting Service, along with all the original supporting documents for the mission. Travel, meal, and accommodation expenses, receipts, and invoices must be submitted in their original form, accompanied by boarding passes, even if electronic. Authorization for the mission is always necessary, regardless of any subsequent request for expense reimbursement.

The PhD program requires a mandatory period of training abroad, whose activation procedure should be addressed to the University Doctoral Office.