Jan.10 – The University of Venice has embarked on an internationalization process, exporting its scientific researchers. In recent daysn, the first joint doctorate between the Italian university and that of Sydney was awarded to chemistry researcher Marina Gottardo, who discussed her final dissertation in front of a joint committee – in videochat with professors based in Holland and Australia. Her study focused on eco-friendly chemical composts structured on vegetable biomasses. Her research was divided into three papers, all published in distinguished journals. “I chose this doctorate for its international spirit, so that I could learn, compare and contrast different methods and research techniques adopted by high-quality labs around the world.” At Ca’ Foscari, professor Maurizio Selva of the Molecular and Nanosciences department was Gottardo’s supervisor, while in Sydney she cooperated with professor Thomas Maschmeyer, director of the Sustainability Lab. Her doctorate was funded via a mix of Italian and Australian state funds. “Thanks to this program and the common understanding between the two institutions, we were able to connect young researchers to international facilities.” Says Alvise Perosa, professor of Organic Chemistry within the Italian university’s department and developer of the joint program. More double-degree candidates are set to graduate in the coming months. Of the four currently eligible, two are from Australia.
