The HEAL Italia Forum 2026 came to a close on June 6 in Palermo, at the Real Teatro Santa Cecilia, bringing together the Foundation’s research network over two days to reflect on the results achieved thanks to the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) and on the future prospects of precision medicine in Italy. Among the most significant moments of the two-day event, alongside the presentation of the White Paper “Toward the Italian Strategy for Precision Medicine,” the Forum devoted an entire session to the enhancement of young researchers, awarding ten of the most relevant scientific contributions produced within the Program.
The recognition, assigned on the recommendation of Prof. Mauro Piacentini, Scientific Director of the Foundation, and Prof. Piero Marchetti, Coordinator of the Scientific Committee, was intended to reward not only the quality of the publications, but also the way in which each piece of work contributes to translating basic research into knowledge that is useful for patient care. Ten different stories, which together reflect the breadth of precision medicine: from oncology to nanomaterials, from metabolic diseases to biophysics applied to therapy.
Dr. Sara Travaglini (University of Tor Vergata) was awarded for her studies on the molecular mechanisms of myeloid leukemia, work that opens concrete prospects for new therapeutic strategies. Dr. Valentina Salsi (UNIMORE) received recognition for her research on the biological role of RNA, the molecule that carries DNA instructions within the cell, with a focus on its involvement in muscular dystrophy.
Dr. Sebastiano Di Bella (UNIPA) was recognized for the innovative use of bioinformatic technologies in the study of the molecular mechanisms of various tumor types, a contribution that shows how computational analysis is now an integral part of oncology research. Dr. Vincenzo Patamia (UNICT) received the award for the development of nanobiosensors, devices capable of detecting biological signals at the molecular scale, applied to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases.
Dr. Giulia Gallerani (UNIBO) was awarded for her contribution to the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic methodologies, particularly in vaccine immunotherapy applied to oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal tumors. Dr. Paulo Siani (UNIMIB) received recognition for his studies on graphene-based nanoparticles, capable of selectively recognizing specific cellular targets, with potential biomedical applications.
Dr. Cristina Russo (UNICT) was awarded for her studies on the effects of natural compounds, such as resveratrol and vitamin D, in counteracting processes such as sarcopenia and retinopathies. Dr. Andrea De Giglio (UNIBO) received recognition for the development of a new prognostic tool that helps estimate early mortality in oncology patients treated with immunotherapy, a useful instrument for personalizing therapeutic choices.
Dr. Cristina Parisi (UNICT) was awarded for the development of nanoconjugates capable of simultaneously generating nitric oxide and singlet oxygen, two reactive molecules that, if released in the right place, can become allies in photodynamic therapy against cancer. Rounding out the list of awardees was Dr. Mara Suleiman (UNIPI), recognized for her studies on the functional recovery of pancreatic beta cells—the cells that produce insulin—in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Ten research projects, ten departments, seven institutions, one single network: the one that Fondazione HEAL Italia continues to build every day in order to bring precision medicine from the laboratory to patient care.