Last November, the Canada-Italy Forum on AI laid the roots. On March 17–18, it is time to set the routes: two days of collaboration and exchange between the two countries, transforming early results into concrete initiatives – across three strategic pillars: education, science, and innovation for impact.
Program
Tuesday, March 17
10:30 – Restricted Session: The Education Pillar
Focus: Joint co-operation and exchange options for PhD programs
CAN :
- Prof. Mehrdad Hajibabaei, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph; Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, eDNAtec
- Dr. Francesco Tordini, Technology Transfer Manager, McGill University
- Prof. Geneviève Lajoie, Professor of Microbiology, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologies · INRS
ITA :
- Prof. Paola Branduardi, President of the Doctoral School, University of Milano-Bicocca
- Prof. Gianluca Sarà, Coordinator of the National Doctoral Programme in Biodiversity founded by NBFC, University of Palermo – remote
11:45 – Institutional Opening
- Prof. Marco Orlandi, Magnificent Rector, University of Milano-Bicocca
- Pres. Luigi Fiorentino, President, National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) – remote
- H.E. Elissa Golberg, Ambassador of Canada to Italy – remote
12:30 – Networking Buffet Lunch
Co-presenters : Pietro Leo, Executive Architect & CTO, IBM Italia and Ilaria Bortone, Co-founder, APS PLANET
14:00 – Introduction: Why Canada?
- Simone Grassi, Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Embassy of Canada to Italy
- Ruggiera Sarcina, Director – Italy, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada
14:15 – Pillars of Bilateral Collaboration
Key alignment points and results from the Montreal Mission
- Prof. Andrea Galimberti, Professor, University of Milano-Bicocca and Spoke 5 Leader (Urban Biodiversity), NBFC
- Prof. Rachele De Giuseppe, Professor, Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, University of Pavia and NBFC
- Prof. Mehrdad Hajibabaei, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph; Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, eDNAtec
14:30 – Pillar 1: Science
CAN :
- Prof. Geneviève Lajoie, Professor of Microbiology, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologies · INRS
- Prof. Fanie Pelletier, Co-director, Québec Biodiversity Science (QCBS) – remote
NBFC Testimonials and Best-fit synergy cases :
- Urban Green Development sector: Prof. Maria Chiara Pastore, Professor, Politecnico di
- Milano and Spoke 5 (Urban Biodiversity) leader of NBFC
- Phytotechnology: Dr. Emily Rose Palm, Assistant Professor, University of Milano-Bicocca and NBFC
- Sea Research and Innovation: Prof. Gianluca Sarà, Professor, University of Palermo and Spoke 1 (Marine Biodiversity) leader of NBFC – remote
15:15 – Pillar 2: Innovation and Impact
- From Lab to Market: The McGill Model – Dr. Francesco Tordini, Technology Transfer Manager, McGill University
- Attracting Talent & Investment: The NBFC strategy – Prof. Alberto Di Minin, Professor, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and Innovation Director of NBFC
- From Lab to International Market: eDNAtec – Prof. Mehrdad Hajibabaei, Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph; Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, eDNAtec
- Examples from the NBFC network:
- Dr. Marco Vitale, Blockchain Expert, Trusticert
- Dr. Emiliano Pioltelli, CEO, Nemoris
16:00 – Bridging Ecosystems in Practice
Round Table
CAN :
- Nicole Jauvin, Director, Business Development, Europe – Foreign Investments, Montréal International – remote
- Dr. Francesco Tordini, Technology Transfer Manager, McGill University
- Dr. Naveed Aziz, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Genome Canada – remote
ITA :
- Dr. Antonio Carbone, Open Innovation and EU Affairs, NBFC Hub
- Prof. Hellas Cena, Professor, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia
- Prof. Paola Branduardi, Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca
Moderator: Prof. Massimo Labra, Professor, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca and Scientific Director of NBFC
17:00 – New Frontiers
- Jakub Skrzypczyk, Director of Engagement, Ocean Tech – remote
17:15 – Day 1 Conclusion
Wednesday, March 18
09:30 – Wrap-up & Roadmap – restricted session
10:30 – Laboratory Visits
13:00 – Light Farewell Lunch
