fulbright commission italy newsletter :: issue 1
TRANSCRIPT
Fulbright-Italy Newsletter
I have thought of everything I can think of, and the one thing that gives me some hope is the ethos that underlies the educational exchange program... It is possible - not very probable, but possible - that people can find in themselves, through intercultural education, the ways and means of living together in peace.
SENATOR J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT(1905-1995)
Welcome MessagesHonorary PresidentPresidentExecutive Director
Scholarship NewsFulbright-Finmeccanica60th Anniversary GrantsCasten Family FoundationFulbright-BESTFulbright-Santoro
Partnerships with UniversitiesMinistry of Education, University, and Research
Events'Brain Drain or Brain Gain'Events Calendar
Grantees' NewsCarlo BaggiMatthew PavoneChristina BisulcaDorothy Klimis-ZacasLorella CedroniCinthia Campi
Fulbright Story SeriesFulbright-Italy's first 40 years
Photonews
Grantees 2008-09ItalianAmerican
The Fulbright Program at a Glance
Thanks to our Partners
Contact Us
2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Italy.
The Fulbright Program:
- Was introduced through a bill in the United States Congress in 1945 by Senator J. William Fulbright and was established in 1946 by the U.S. Congress to "enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries".
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- Is worldwide; it operates in 155 countries with approximately 286,500 "Fulbrighters", who have participated in the Program since its inception. - Was established in Italy in 1948 and it is now a binational program since 1975 jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which, together, set priorities and shape the program to meet shared needs. - It offers unique opportunities for study, research and teaching to both Italians and Americans through open, merit-based competition as well as access to a vast community of Fulbrighters worldwide. - Has awarded over 7,000 grants to Italians and U.S. citizens who have contributed to the cultural, artistic and political relations between the two countries.
This commemorative year has been marked by:- The establishment of two special grants (one in Contemporary Arts for Italians and one in Entrepreneurship for U.S. nationals);- New partnership agreements with Universities in Italy and in the U.S.;- The organization by partner institutions of various events throughout Italy and at the Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C.;- The establishment of a new special Fulbright-Finmeccanica scholarship for a Master degree in Science and Technology; - The continuation of the Fulbright-Carlo Maria Santoro scholarship in International Relations;- The continuation of the Fulbright-BEST scholarship;- A new program of English Teaching Assistants.
Furthermore, for its contribution to culture and the arts, the Fulbright Commission was awarded a prize in the framework of the Mnemosyne Prize from the Art Gallery ‘Il Tempo Ritrovato’ in Rome.
Linking Minds Across Cultures
As honorary co-President of the U.S. - Italy Fulbright Commission, I am pleased to use this inaugural edition of the Commission's electronic newsletter to extend a warm greeting to all Fulbrighters and friends of Fulbright.
Few Fulbright grantees around the world have distinguished themselves more than the seven thousand Italians and Americans who have participated in this bilateral exchange over the last six decades. Italy boasts among its Fulbright grantees two Nobel laureates, prime ministers, foreign ministers, ambassadors, senators and parliamentarians, CEOs, and renowned scientists and cultural figures. The list of Americans awarded Fulbright grants in Italy is no less remarkable: it includes Nobel Prize-winning scientists and economists, university presidents and outstanding scholars, eminent jurists, distinguished journalists, and - in keeping with Italy’s incomparable cultural heritage - a dazzling roster of composers, conductors, musicians, novelists, poets, sculptors, and other artists.
My own involvement with U.S. - Italy exchange programs dates back to my first visit to Italy forty years ago, as a student in Stanford University's program in Florence. I have been a strong supporter of exchange programs ever since, serving on the Board of Foreign Scholarships, which administers the Fulbright program worldwide, from 2002 to 2005. Since taking up my duties as U.S. Ambassador to Italy in September 2005, I have put promoting and expanding the Fulbright Program in Italy near the top of my agenda, to ensure that Fulbright's future will be just as brilliant as its past. And in this 60th anniversary year of the Italian-American Fulbright Program, the Fulbright Commission too is taking innovative steps to see that Fulbright remains the premier Italian-American exchange program well into the 21st century.
The Program's priority fields of study are evolving to reflect the current objectives of both the United States and Italy. An example is the Fulbright-BEST (Business Exchange and Student Training) Program, inaugurated in 2007 with the goal of promoting entrepreneurial culture in Italy, and financed entirely by contributions from businesses and regional and local governments. This increasing reliance on partnerships with the private sector - an essential development if the program is to continue to grow - is yet another example of how Fulbright is adapting to the challenges of the present day.
My congratulations to Fulbright for introducing this electronic newsletter, which should make it easier for all of you in the Fulbright community to stay in touch. I am confident that the Fulbright program in Italy will be able to count on your support in the years to come.
Ambassador Ronald P. SpogliUnited States Ambassador to ItalyRome, Italy
Ambassador Ronald P. Spogli
President Bush met with the Fulbright-BEST grantees on 12 June 2008 during
his visit to Rome
It is a great pleasure to introduce the first issue of the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission Newsletter. I welcome this initiative as I hope that it will increase communications among all Fulbrighters and friends of the Fulbright Program on both sides of the Atlantic. In this era of globalization, I am more and more convinced of the need to continue to deepen the cultural relations between Italy and the United States and to continue to strengthen the ties between the two nations. The Fulbright Program is the instrument of cultural diplomacy which has enabled very fruitful exchanges over the last sixty years. It avails itself of the support of both the U.S. and the Italian Governments. Its bi-national character makes it unique worldwide and a model for other cultural and educational exchange programs.
I thank all Fulbrighters and partner institutions which are helping us to celebrate the 60th anniversary, thereby keeping alive the spirit of the educational exchanges as conceived by Senator Fulbright: to foster leadership, learning and empathy between cultures.
We have taken the opportunity of the 60th anniversary to reflect on the priorities of the Fulbright Program in a medium term perspective so as to better respond to broader societal goals. Building on past achievements, we plan to have a greater focus on contemporary issues in Italy, as part of the EU, in all fields including arts and plan to promote contemporary Italian culture in the U.S. We continue to consider of key importance the priority areas outlined in the scientific agreement between Italy and the United States and also the promotion of interdisciplinary approaches based on the contributions to the sciences from the humanities and the social sciences. Finally, we would like to contribute to develop those disciplines – and practices - related to the valorization and commercialization of research aimed at promoting technological transfer.
I hope that readers will write to us and let us know how the Fulbright Program, with its goal of cultural and educational exchanges, can better respond to the needs of students, professors, researchers and the diplomatic and business community at large.
Minister Plenipotentiary Gherardo La FrancescaGeneral Directorate for Cultural Promotion and CooperationMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy
Min. PlenipotentiaryGherardo La Francesca
Why a newsletter? So much has happened at the Commission recently that we wanted to share our news and activities with all our Fulbright friends. We also want to strengthen communications among the Fulbright community in Italy and in the United States: alumni, prospective applicants, partner academic and research institutions, friends, artists, donors and our two governments. The 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program has given us a wonderful opportunity to re-establish contacts with the wide array of Fulbright stakeholders throughout Italy and to reunite us under the Fulbright ethos as expressed by Senator Fulbright: “The Fulbright Program aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs, and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship."
Improved communication through the website, new brochures and this newsletter, is helping the Fulbright Program to continue its mission and to bring to the fore new areas of interest: exchanges in food culture and food product marketing with a new fellowship (Casten Family Foundation fellowship at the University of Gastronomic Sciences), a new prestigious fellowship in Science and Technology (Fulbright-Finmeccanica), a focus on contemporary arts promoted by Min. La Francesca, a new area and pilot program in entrepreneurship promoted by Ambassador Spogli (Fulbright-BEST) and supported by numerous donors.
Our aim is to build upon the Fulbright network. There are many ways you can be involved: you can lend your expertise for the grantees’ selection process and for assisting us in building the cultural and symbolic resources to promote the Program; you can contribute with funds to establish new fellowships or with works of art if you are an artist; you can assist younger Fulbrighters when going to study to the U.S. and upon their return to Italy; you can initiate, promote and participate in events aimed at strengthening the network of the Fulbright community. If you have not done so already, please do write to us, let us know where you are, what you are doing and how you would like to assist in making the Fulbright Program as vibrant and as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.
I thank all of you who are already in contact with us and are assisting the Commission in its work; I also thank the partners without whom the Commission could not function effectively: our Board of Directors, Min. La Francesca and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Spogli and the staff of the U.S. Embassy, colleagues in the Educational and Cultural Bureau of the U.S. Department of State, the International Institute of Education, the Council of International Exchange of Scholars and last, but not least, the Commission’s staff and volunteers who enthusiastically accompany us in our endeavors.
Enjoy reading our newsletter and, as always, we look forward to hearing from you!
Maria Grazia Quieti, Ph.D.Executive DirectorThe U.S. – Italy Fulbright Commission
Executive Director Dr. Maria Grazia Quieti
Finmeccanica, the main Italian industrial group in aerospace, defense and security, has teamed up with the Fulbright Commission to establish a prestigious study grant for Italians for three academic years starting in 2009-10. The Fulbright-Finmeccanica scholarship is in scientific and technological disciplines and amounts to $80,000. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of both The U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission and Finmeccanica. Dr. Francesco
Guarguaglini, president of Finmeccanica, said “What better way to celebrate such recurrence than to give young Italians a new and important opportunity to study in the U.S.?" He also added "The Fulbright-Finmeccanica study grant can be seen as both a small bridge between academic curricula and the necessities of the high-tech environment, and as a stimulus for others to contribute to the re-launch of the Fulbright Program in Italy.”
With the generous support of the Casten Family Foundation and co-funding by the University of Gastronomic Sciences a new grant will be offered to U.S. Fulbright students. For three years, starting in the academic year 2009-2010, a U.S. grantee will be enrolled at the University of Gastronomic Sciences’ (www.unisg.it/eng) “Master program in Food Culture: Communicating Quality Products.” The main goal of this English-language Master Program is to provide students with knowledge about quality food products, as well as the communication and promotion of such products based on a thorough anthropological and historical study of
food consumption, not only in Italy, but also in the rest of Europe.The program builds on past Fulbright efforts to promote the study of food and food culture. Carlo Baggi, a graduate of the University of Gastronomic Sciences and a member of the Slow Food Movement, taught eco-gastronomy at the Culinary Institute at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta, Georgia under the Scholar-in Residence program. The Fulbright Senior Specialist, Dr. Dorothy Klimis-Zacas has taught Clinical Nutrition at the University of Milan. Find out more under Grantees' News.
To commemorate this special anniversary the Commission has established two special grants, both carrying the celebrative title of “Fulbright 60th Anniversary Grant”. One is for Italians for a period of research (6-9 months) in Contemporary Arts during the academic year 2008-09. The grant has been awarded to Francesco Antonioni who will carry out research at Cornell University on “Cultural identities in contemporary music: mutual influences between Italian and American composers in the past twenty years”. The other grant is
for an American professor to lecture and research for four months at the Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali (LUISS) and the Università della Calabria in the areas of Business and Management during the academic year 2009-10.
The Amici del Professore Carlo Maria Santoro have recently reconfirmed their contribution to the Italian Fulbright Program by renewing their support to the Fulbright-Santoro scholarship for
After last year’s first successful edition, the Fulbright-BEST (Business Exchange and Student Training) Program to foster entrepreneurship and economic development in Italy continues in 2008-09. Starting in September 9 Italian fellows will take part in a six-month academic program at Santa Clara University in California where they will attend courses in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. They will also have internships with firms in Silicon Valley and participate in activities of the Silicon Valley Start-Up Association. The
program has been initiated by Ambassador Ronald P. Spogli and supported by many donors (American Airlines, American Chamber of Commerce, Assolombarda, Comune di Milano, Confindustria Modena, Deutsche Bank, ENI, Farmindustria, Fondazione IBM Italia, IBM, Lottomatica, Poste Italiane, Telecom Italia and Vodafone). The Tuscany Region has sponsored five candidates from the region to attend a similar program (Tuscany-BEST).
five more years. This $30,000 scholarship will allow highly-qualified Italian students to attend Master Programs in International Relations in prestigious American universities. Professor Carlo Maria Santoro
For the academic year 2009-10
The Fulbright Commission has established collaborative agreements with several universities in Italy and the U.S. for Fulbright Scholars in different categories:
Distinguished Chairs The Program brings high-level American professors to teach and research in Italy. Agreements have been renewed for six Distinguished Chairs with the following universities:- Università del Piemonte Orientale, European-American Relations- Politecnico di Torino, Environmental Policies- Università di Siena, Economics- Università di Trento, Law- Università di Trieste, Linguistics- Università della Tuscia, Agricultural and Resource Economics
The same Program is available for Italian professors who introduce an Italian perspective in U.S. curricula at the following universities: - University of Chicago- University of Georgetown
- University of Northwestern- University of Notre Dame- University of Pittsburgh
Lectureships- The Universities of Bologna, Catania and Roma Tre will hold Lectureships in American Studies.- The University of Trento will finance three Junior Lectureships in Mathematics and Engineering (including physics, information technology, telecommunications and biology).- The Scuola Superiore Santa Chiara will finance a Lectureship in the Methodology of Scientific Research
- LUISS and University of Calabria are contributing to the special 60th anniversary Lectureship in Entrepreneurship (see Scholarship News).
Graduate Students- The University of Gastronomic Sciences with the Casten Family Foundation and the Fulbright Commission will finance a scholarship for an American graduate student to attend a Master Program in Food Culture.
The Fulbright Commission encourages
universities to invite U.S. Scholars for seminars or other
activities
The 2007-2008 English Teaching Assistants (ETA) pilot project in Italy reached roughly 3,000 Italian and immigrant students, as well as about 60 Italian teachers through 14 Fulbright young graduates. Their role has been highly praised by principals, tutors, and co-teachers at every school involved. The ETAs have fully embraced their
roles as cultural ambassadors, teaching Italian students about U.S. history, language and culture. An agreement has been signed with the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) for the continuation of the Program in 2008-2009 with seven ETA working at secondary high schools in Rome and Southern Italy.
For the Academic Year 2010-13
Three New U.S. Distinguished ChairsFollowing the competition launched by the Fulbright Commission in December 2007 to all Italian Universities, three new Fulbright Distinguished Chairs have been established for the academic years 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13. The new Fulbright Distinguished Chairs will be hosted by the Politecnico di Torino (Hydraulic Engineering), the Università di Trento (Comparative law, history of law, Law Economic Analysis) and the Università di Napoli “Parthenope” (Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development).
Four Italian Distinguished ChairsThe Distinguished Chair Program in Italian Studies for Italian Professors will continue at the Universities of Chicago, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Pittsburgh for 2009 - 2012.
Other agreementsA collaborative agreement was formulated between the Politecnico of Torino and the Fulbright Commission. The Politecnico will finance a number of Fulbright scholarships for the academic year 2010-11. Among these, there are scholarships for Fulbright students and
scholars from the U.S.: four graduate students will study and carry out research at the Politecnico and a Fulbright Senior Lecturer will teach a course on Policies and Tools for Environmental Sustainability.
- The University of Trento will continue to finance three Junior Research-Lectureships in the fields of Mathematics and Engineering.
- The University of Salerno will finance a Lectureship in American Cultural Studies.
- The University of Gastronomic Sciences with the Casten Family Foundation and the Fulbright Commission will continue to finance a Master Program scholarship for an American graduate student in Food Culture.
First Lady Laura Bush with a group of English Teaching Assistants on 13 June
2008, during her visit to Rome
A round-table conference on the issue of “Brain Drain or Brain Gain? The case of Italy and the US” was held on 10 April 2008 at the American Studies Center in Rome. The audience had the chance to witness the contribution of leading figures from the Italian scientific community and academia. Among them were notable Fulbrighters, such as Min. Giuliano Amato, Nobel Prize Prof. Carlo Rubbia and Dr. Alessandro Ovi. The speaker list also included Rector Giovanni Puglisi from the IULM University of Milan, Min. Gherardo La Francesca, President of The U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission and Dr. Maria Grazia Quieti, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission.
Prof. Amato and Prof. Rubbia talked about their own experience as Fulbrighters in the 1950s at Columbia University and equated research with mobility. Prof. Rubbia recalled his difficulties in joining the Italian academic environment, after having been a professor at Harvard. "The Italian university environment is still not fully able to capture the talents of those who have acquired post-graduate qualifications abroad, despite the law on the ‘rientro dei cervelli’", he said.
Prof. Puglisi highlighted the powerful innovation brought about by the Fulbright Program after World War II by fostering exchanges of students and scholars between the United States and other countries in the world. This is the policy of ‘internazionalization’ which today is being pursued by all universities in Italy and to which, Min. La Francesca stated, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives high priority. Dr. Ovi, a former Fulbrighter at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), also discussed the need for the Fulbright Program to adapt to changing circumstances and the challenge to maintain its uniqueness vis-à-vis the
Prof. Carlo Rubbia with Min. Giuliano Amato
The six panelists speaking at the conference. From left to right: Rector Giovanni Puglisi, Min. Gherardo La Francesca, Prof. Carlo Rubbia, Min. Giuliano Amato, Dr. Maria Grazia
Quieti, and Dr. Alessandro Ovi
numerous other exchange programs that have been generated world-wide.
Dr. Quieti reported on the phenomenon of Brain Drain or Brain Gain as perceived by the 500 Italian Fulbrighters contacted through an electronic survey. The Fulbright experience was equated as a definite “brain gain”, in terms of advancement of knowledge, personal development and becoming involved in academic and business networks. Over 90% of the Italian Fulbrighters are still in contact with their host university and other institutions in the United States. They evidence the increased mobility which is part and parcel of research and business. Many of the Fulbrighters are actively working on how to facilitate the talent circulation back to Italy, e.g. the MITaly, association of Italians at MIT, the recently created ISSNAF (Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation), the RENA (Rete per l’eccellenza nationale – network for national excellence) and the think tank Vision.
Dr. Quieti concluded by sharing the policy measures on the brain circulation as recommended by the Fulbright scholar and philosopher Remo Bodei, namely ensuring that brains continue to circulate – rather than aiming at having them back in Italy on a permanent basis – by establishing joint research projects and exchanges of expertise between Italian institutions and institutions abroad.
FEBRUARY6 Round-table: “Super Tuesday – Risultati, commenti e prospettive
future”. Centro Studi Americani, RomaMARCH
4, 11 Seminar: “Person in the Nominal and Verbal Domain. Evidence from two varieties of English”. Università di Venezia
APRIL2 Conference and film: “Avventure Transatlatiche”. Università di Catania10 Round-table: “Brain Drain or Brain Gain”. Centro Studi Americani,
Roma14 Conference: “The future of restorative justice in Italy” Università
Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza17 Conference: “Le Scienze Politiche, Modelli Contemporanei”.
Università di Perugia22 Seminar: “The ‘New’ Woman and Modern American Culture in the
1920s”. Università di Genova22 Seminar: “The United States and Italy, 1940 to 1950: The Politics
and Diplomacy of Stabilization” Un. Suor Orsola Benincasa, Napoli23 Debate: “Le elezioni presidenziali americane del 2008: Temi e
candidati”. Università di Palermo29 Conference: “L’uomo e l’ambiente – Il significato e la gestione delle
aree protette in Italia e negli Stati Uniti d’America: Il caso del fiume Po”. Politecnico di Torino
MAY9 Conference: “La centralità della persona tra esigenze cliniche e
assistenziali in oncologia pediatrica”. LUMSA, Taranto19-23 American Literature, History, and Culture Seminar: “Back to the
Future: The 60’s and our own time”. Associazione Italiana Studi Nord Americani (AISNA), Centro Studi Americani, Roma
JUNE10 Conference: “Ricercare con cura: Italy-USA in the Fulbright
tradition”. Università di Trento16-21 Conference: “4th European Center for River Restoration (ECRR)
International Conference on River Restoration”. Venezia20 Round-table: "Italian-US cooperation on international security
challenges". National Italian American Foundation, RomaSEPTEMBER
18 Conference and buffet dinner: Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Fulbright Program and of Finmeccanica (sponsor of the Fulbright-Finmeccanica scholarship), Italian Embassy, Washington
24 Fulbright Lecture: "Why and How to Invest in the U.S." by Dr. Guarguaglini. Finmeccanica, Roma
OCTOBER16 Conference: "Tra Storia e Cronaca: I media e le elezioni presidenziali
Americane". Università del Piemonte Orientale, TorinoTBD Conference: "Comparison of 1968 and present Presidential elections
in the United States”. AISNA, Università di TriesteDECEMBER
3 Conference: "Scienze Umane e Scienze/Tecnologia nel Secondo Millennio". Università di Salerno
Please visit our website www.fulbright.it for an updated calendar of events
April 10th 2008: The speakers of the "Super Tuesday election results" event
Prof. Lynn Dumenil (Fulbright Senior Lecturer 2007-2008) speaking at the University of Genova on "The 'New'
Woman and Modern American Culture in the 1920s"
My name is Matthew Pavone, and I study agricultural finance. I am a graduate of the Elliot and Columbian Schools at George Washington University (dual-B.A. May 2004) and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences programs of Economics and International Political Economy and Development at Fordham University (May 2007). As part of my research on the economic relationship between banks and farmers in the Mezzogiorno, I subdivide my activities into three groups: structured interviews with professionals and
academics, field work with farmers such as Walter, and basic statistical modeling on interest rates and output. In my time so far, I have found the Fulbright experience largely fulfilling in spite of the living constraints that often accompany life in the South. If ever I drew upon my resourcefulness in the past, I have surely done so now more than ever, finding contacts in less than conspicuous places and pushing these leads to their full potential as I navigate a niche field of research seldom studied by academics.
Matthew Pavone
Being my first teaching experience, the Fulbright Scholar in Residence program has been extremely positive, considering that it represented a major change in my personal and professional life. In fact, after travelling internationally for many years for business, in 2005 I decided to follow my innate passion for food and culture, earning a Master’s Degree in Food Culture and Communication at the Slow Food-founded University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy. Thanks to the Fulbright grant, I had the opportunity to spread this passion to both students and colleagues of the Culinary Arts program at Chattahoochee Technical College.The main objective of the course I developed was to bring to the students of a cooking school an understanding of food history and anthropology, culinary traditions and techniques, and environmental and social issues related to sustainable food production, as well as the impact that our food choices have in a globalized world. Since arriving in Georgia, I also had the chance to talk about sustainability with the American Culinary Federation, organic agriculture with local farmers, and traditional food-ways with both local shopkeepers and
larger food retailer like Whole Foods.Following the same philosophy, the college is now involved in the important task of implementing sustainability approaches in all its major activities, from recycling of paper and plastic, to sourcing local, organic and seasonal foods for the curriculum menus, composting food waste, growing a roof-top garden and using eco-friendly kitchenware and cleaning detergents.Apart from the teaching activities, the experience proved to be personally and professionally enriching, as a result of the links established with the local community, as well as with organizations such as Georgia Organics, the Georgia Restaurant Association, Slow Food USA and Slow Food Atlanta.I am convinced that the Fulbright experience will add a plus to my résumé; in addition, I had the chance to directly acknowledge the fundamental role that information and education have in fostering cultural growth. At the same time, being able to relate with both students and American colleagues has significantly helped in understanding why it is essential to stimulate critical thinking and the exchange of different opinions to make education a continuous learning process.
Carlo Baggi with his students from Chattahoochee Technical College,
Georgia
The red dyes most commonly encountered historically as artists' materials are related compounds and are found throughout the world. These dyes can be derived from insects, such as cochineal (South and Central America), kermes (Eastern Europe) and lac dye (South East Asia and India), or can be extracted from plants (madder, Europe and Asia). Characterisation of red dyes is of great historical interest, and is used to determine historic painting materials and methods, and it reflects trade between Asian, Europe, and the New World. The information gained though such analysis can also be used for authentication of the work or to locating areas of restoration. Typically, identification of the origin of the dye requires that a sample is removed from the artwork. During my Fulbright, I worked with Marcello Picollo at the Istituto di Fisica Applicata - "Nello Carrara", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFAC –CNR), to assess the use of a non-invasive technique, UV-Vis-NIR fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy
(UV-Vis-NIR FORS) for their identification. In this technique, fiber optics are used to transmit and collect reflected light (from the ultraviolet to the near infrared) from the surface of a painting. Hence, the technique requires no samples, which is optimal in the analysis of artworks. The spectra obtained gives molecular information based on the pattern of absorption of light, and these spectra are sometimes characteristic and can be used to identify the pigments and dyes. In this study, mock up paintings were prepared to mimic historic tempera painting techniques, and were analyzed with UV-Vis-NIR FORS. It was found that using this technique the spectra are characteristic enough that the dye can be classified without destructive sampling. This work was recently presented at Art2008, an international conference on non-destructive investigations and microanalysis for artworks, and was held in Jerusalem, Israel.
Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, Ph.D., professor of Clinical Nutrition, University of Maine, Orono, Maine is a Fulbright Senior Specialist to the University of Milan, Italy, Department of Food Science, Technology and Microbiology (DiSTAM) for 6 weeks from May 15 till June 30, 2008. She is working with Professor Marisa Porrini and her team, composed of associate professors Salvatore Ciappellano and Paolo Simonetti and researcher Patrizia Riso. She has been active in teaching graduate students at DiSTAM in the areas of her expertise on lipids and cardiovascular disease and developing a graduate course on grant-writing for extramural funding. She is also involved in presenting lectures for undergraduate students of Nutrition and Dietetics on the areas of dietary standards in the
U.S. and Europe. She has presented seminars to the faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture at the University of Milan on “Novel Approaches to Study the Effects of Wild Blueberries on Cardiovascular Physiology and Metabolism” her current area of research study. She plans to travel to the University of Gastronomic Science in Colorno, to present an invited seminar on “Functional Foods: From Basic Science to Marketing and Health Claims”.
Over 100 Fulbright scholars from 50 different countries were chosen to participate in the 2008 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Conference on 'The Rule of Law: A View from the American West' in Denver, Colorado from April 2-5 2008. The conference was organized by the Council of International Exchange of Scholar, the Institute of International Education and the Institute of International Education Rocky Mountain Regional Center.The theme of the Conference was specifically on the Law system in U.S., with interventions of judges and lawyers (Hon. Thimothy Tymkovich, JD on: Judicial Independence and the Rule of Law; and Hon. Troy Eid, U.S. Attorney, District of Colorado, on: The Rule of Law with a Focus on Native Americans).The “rule of law” can be conceived of beyond its contingent features and context. As a normative concept, the capacity of the rule of law might extend itself over legal domains. The speakers analyzed many current definitions of the rule of law giving consideration to relevant and helpful characteristics such as “certainty” and “accountability”. After the conference a visit to the Contemporary Art Museum and to the Federal Court (where we were addressed by a few judges who
explained the legal system in the US) was organized as well cultural activities, and the Farewell dinner at Boulder Dinner Theatre with the famous play “Little Shop of Horrors”.This Conference was a great opportunity for us, from a human and a scientific point of view.
Dr. Lorella Cedroni wishes to draw the attention of the Fulbright community towards the European Union Document Collection at the University of Pittsburgh.
The University Library System of the University of Pittsburgh is depository of the complete collection of the European Union. The European Union Center of Excellence (EUCE) and the European Study Center (ESC) at Pitt were the most important promoters of this special and unique acquisition. This collection includes over 16,000,000 pages, most of them are in English, but significant percentage of the publications are in French; many of older documents have never been cataloged in any place accessible to the public and now they are online. The main collection includes official publications: legislative documents, annual and periodic reports, internal reports, monographs and brochures, microfiche collection of several series and research files.
A Fulbright grant, spent by Professor Cinthia Campi at Northeastern University in Boston, has provided a spin-off for scholarly and academic interaction between the hosting Institution and her home Institution, the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”.The two Universities have signed a general agreement, to explore areas of cooperation between them through the promotion of exchange opportunities for faculty, students and professional staff desiring to participate in academic programs, research and other
appropriate activities. Exchanges are envisioned for Visiting Professors, Scholars and Students. Currently, the Institutions are planning to exchange some qualified students for the purpose of pursuing an approved course of instruction. Other forms of cooperation may include:a) Collaborative and cooperative research programs in the field of mutual interest;b) Dual degree and cooperative academic and experiential programs in the fields of mutual interest;
As this year marks the 60th year of the Fulbright Program we thought it would be interesting to look back at where the Program came from and how it came to be what it is today. Mrs Cipriana Scelba was the first Italian Executive Director until 1988. Having personally lived the birth and growth of the Program there couldn’t be no better person to act as a storyteller for the rest of us. Mrs Scelba has kindly written two short narratives on the first forty years of the Program, both can be found on the Commission’s website. Below is an excerpt on the first twenty years.
As a veteran of the Fulbright Program in Italy (I began to work with the Commission at its inception, in 1948), I am delighted to think back to the time when the Program was developed, now that we are celebrating its 60th Anniversary.The first twenty years (1949-68) were marked by both the "Discovery of America" by the Italians and the first in-depth acquaintance of Americans with the land and culture of Italy. By "Discovery of America", I mean that Italians were only familiar with the America they saw through the films that the G.I.s brought with them in 1944, at the end of the Second World War. As to the Americans, they might have known about Italy's artistic and cultural past if they had a college education; otherwise, only its folkloristic aspects may have been gleaned from some magazine or movie.It was not easy to find candidates for these fellowships who would have both
the academic and personal qualifications as well as having a passable knowledge of the language of their prospective host country. Americans with a humanities background seemed to always assume that their knowledge of Latin would help in their contacts with the "natives," here. Alas, they were almost always proved wrong, except in the case of one Fellow who met a sympathetic and knowledgeable priest. Another Fellow, however, overheard an Italian use the word permesso in a crowded bus, as passengers pushed their way to the door. So, he thought he would achieve the same effect by using a Latin equivalent, "Auriga, te voco, permisso." He evoked a lot of curiosity on the part of the crowd, but no success at all with the bus driver.As for the Italians, the first-year departures for the United States were beyond hectic, since the fellowships were awarded late, and all arrangements had to be made by telegraph. Each Fellow was obliged to be packed and ready while waiting for the official notice. The Italian Fellows had an even greater language handicap than the Americans because they were expected to fit into a much more rigid academic system, a system that dictated regular class attendance and lectures that were conducted in English only.In spite of these problems, when I peruse the list of the early Fulbright Fellows, I now see many names that belong to extremely successful scholars in their respective disciplines.Those early Fulbright Fellowships
Senator Fulbright with Mrs Cipriana Scelba
c) Collaborative and cooperative study abroad programs in fields of mutual interest;d) Bilateral visits and access to research facilities of both institutions;e) Joint sponsorship of international seminars and colloquia;f) Facilitating, assisting and developing other academic/research activities that may be of joint interest to the two
Institutions in general or to their members.The agreement, signed in concomitance with the 60°anniversary of the Fulbright Program in Italy, will promote Senator J. William Fulbright’s goal: to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries.
Aitana de la Jara (Graduate Student 2007-08) sketching a corpse in Pompei
Giulia Lamiani (Graduate Student 2005-2006) working with her Supervisor, Elaine Meyer from the Children's Hospital in Boston, MA
Debra Cheverino (2004-06 Graduate Student) directing a musical performance
at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
contributed a great deal not only to specific careers but also to a broadened spectrum of both Italian and American university curricula. Besides, the Fulbright Program was also responsible for initiating and then expanding a whole network of university-to-university relations.
In short, the early Fulbright Program provided a multiplier effect to the world-wide Academy, an effect that some of us had perhaps envisioned but not necessarily expected.
Cipriana Scelba
Orientation, June 23, 2008 at The American University of Rome. Italian Fulbright Grantees
and the Fulbright Commission Staff
2008-2009 Italian Foreign Language Teaching Assistants
Sarah Dolembo (Graduate Student 2007-08) designing costumes at Tirelli Costumi
Distinguished Chairs
Antonelli, Roberto Università di Roma “La Sapienza” University of ChicagoEuropean Literature: Francesco Petrarch's CanzoniereLicini, Stefania Università di Bergamo University of PittsburghItalian Modern History: Economy and Society in the 19th and 20th CenturiesSimoncini, Andrea Università di Firenze University of Notre DameComparative European Legal Tradition and Constitutional Transformations: Italy, the European Union and the USSterlacchini, Alessandro Politecnico delle Marche Georgetown UniversityEuropean Growth in the Knowledge EconomyCieri Via, Claudia Università di Roma "La Sapienza" Northwestern UniversityFrom War to War. The Classical Triumph and its Survival and the mythology of creation/creativity in Art and Literature
Research ScholarAlfano, Marco Università della Calabria University of IllinoisA cohesive zone model to simulate adhesive/cohesive failure: an integrated experimental/computational approachCarella, Antonio Università di Napoli “Federico II” Northwestern UniversityConjugated Polymers, Organic Photovoltaics and TransistorsCristiano, Mario Roderick Università del Molise Carnegie Mellon UniversityLow bandgap conjugated polymers for applications in Organic ElectronicsDeidda, Roberto Università di Cagliari Massachusetts Institute of
TechnologyInnovative approaches for ordinary and extreme rainfall regime characterizationDi Bartolomeo, Antonio Università di Salerno Georgetown UniversityCarbon nanotubes networks as temperature and gas sensorsGaneri, Margherita Università della Calabria State University of New YorkTin hearts, springs and Calabrian turtles: images of Italy in the work of Helen BaroliniIandoli, Luca Università di Napoli “Federico II” Massachusetts Institute of
TechnologySupporting collective intelligence and on-line collaborative deliberation through large-scale argumentationMaggini, Simona Università di Milano University of North CarolinaDevelopment and fine tuning of novel catalytic frameworks to insert in MOF networks from homogeneous to heterogeneous catalysisPacella, Massimo Università del Salento University of MichiganWavelets-based models and methods for quality monitoringSavazzi, Silvia Università di Verona University of IllinoisThe nature of the representation of space in healthy subjects and neglect patientsTaraborrelli, Angela Università di Roma “La Sapienza” Princeton UniversityContemporary CosmopolitanismTarozzi, Massimiliano Università di Trento University of California, LATraining and supporting effective teachers in multicultural schoolsValcarenghi, Luca Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Stanford UniversityTraffic engineering in REconfigurable integrAted optical-wireless neTworks (TREAT)Vignani, Rita Università di Siena Purdue UniversityThe role of cytoskeletal interacting proteins in agrobacterium-mediated plant genetic transformation
60th Anniversary GrantAntonioni, Francesco Conservatorio Musicale “Fausto Torrefranca”Cornell UniversityCultural identities in contemporary music: mutual influences between Italian and American composers in the past twenty years
Visiting Student ResearcherDi Girolamo, Amalia Università di Roma “Tor Vergata" University of ChicagoHousehold portfolios choices in a behavioral financial frameworkMantini, Giulia Università di Roma “Tor Vergata” Georgia Institute of TechnologyDevelopment of wireless nanotransducer for in-vivo medical applications
Name & Title Project Home University Host University
Pozzi, Chiara Politecnico di Torino Los Alamos National LaboratoryDeformation mechanisms of Face Centered Cubic (FCC) metals when exposed to small charges explosions
Graduate StudiesAchilli, Luigi Università di Milano “Bicocca” New School UniversityPh.D. in AnthropologyBaldini, Andrea Università di Siena Temple UniversityPh.D. in Philosophy of MusicBeltrami, Damiano Istituto Universitario di Lingue Moderne The City University of New YorkMaster in JournalismBenvenuti, Michela Università di Bologna John Hopkins UniversityMaster in International RelationsBorrello, Alessandra Università di Napoli “Federico II” University of California - DavisMaster in EconomicsCampi, Luigi Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia Columbia UniversityMaster in Film-Cinema StudiesCostanzo, Sabrina Università Cattolica Harvard UniversityMaster in Law
Desiato, Caterina Università di Milano University of HawaiiPh.D. in CommunicationsFrener, Philipp Leopold-Franzens University, Austria University of ChicagoMaster in International RelationsMancinelli, Fabrizio Conservatorio di Musica “Alfredo Casella” University of Southern CaliforniaGraduate Certificate in Scoring for Motion Pictures and TelevisionPietrucci, Pamela Università dell’Aquila University of WashingtonPh.D. in CommunicationsPraino, Rodrigo Università di Napoli “L’Orientale" University of ConnecticutPh.D. in Political ScienceRamella, Daniele Università di Pavia Boston UniversityPh.D. in ChemistrySquitieri, Mauro Università Bocconi Fordham UniversityMaster in LawVisentin, Matteo Politecnico di Milano Boston UniversityMaster in PsychologyZanella, Michele Università di Firenze Pratt InstituteMaster in Architecture
Fulbright-BEST (Business Exchange Student Training) at Santa Clara University, CaliforniaRuiu, Luca Università di SassariAgricultural EntomologyPiacenti, Michela Università di FirenzeChemistryIafelice, Bruno Università di BolognaBiotechnologiesMosci, Sofia Università di GenovaPhysicsLombardi, Paolo Università di PaviaInformation Technology / Computer ScienceCattaneo, Francesco European School of Advanced Studies, PaviaInformation and Communication Technologies / TelecommunicationsGiovenzana, Chiara Università di FerraraBiotechnologiesTosi, Daniele Politecnico di TorinoElectrical EngineeringMarcon, Riccardo Università di PadovaInformation Technology / Computer Science
Name & Title Project Home University Host University
Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA)De Prosperis, Federica Università di Roma “La Sapienza” Wheaton CollegeFarisco, Maria Università di Napoli “L’Orientale” Ramapo College of New JerseyFerrari, Anna Università di Pavia Bard CollegeNavarra, Ilaria Università di Salerno St. Bonaventure University
Summer SeminarsGatullo, Francesca Università di Bologna Institute for Training & Development
Uni. of Massachusetts - AmherstIntorcia, Elena Università del Sannio University of Illinois - Chicago
Fulbright - SchumanPullano, Teresa Institut d'Etudes Politiques, Paris Columbia UniversityRicci, Vanessa Université Libre de Bruxelles Columbia UniversityRosato, Angelantonio LUISS University of PittsburghTomassini, Stefano Università di Venezia The New York Public Library for the
Performing Arts
Distinguished Chairs
Baber, Walter California State University Politecnico di TorinoEnvironmental Policy and LawBardhan, Pranab University of California, Berkeley Università di SienaGlobalization and Political Economy of DevelopmentCaswell, Julie University of Massachusetts, Amherst Università della TusciaThe Economics of Food Quality: Private and Public Decision Making Frank, Robert John Hopkins University Università di TriesteMathematical Tools for Theoretical LinguisticsHead, John University of Kansas Università di TrentoA 'Triangle' of International and Comparative Law - Teaching, Learning, WritingKatz, James Rutgers University Università del Piemonte OrientaleTwentieth-Century History of Communications
Senior Specialists (A.Y. 2007-2008)
Adams, Michael University of Wisconsin - Madison Università di ParmaNatural Resources Management and PolicyForte, Armelinda St. Johns University Istituto di Scienze MotorieSport ManagementLiebow, Edward Battelle Centers for Public Health Università di TrentoSustainable Development Research and EvaluationKlimis Zacas, Dorothy University of Maine Università di MilanoAgriculture/Human NutritionNagurney, Anne University of Massachusetts - Amherst Università di CataniaComplex Networks and Vulnerability AnalysisUmbreit, Mark University of Minnesota Università di PiacenzaRestorative JusticeVitiello, Michael Pacific McGeorge School of Law Università di ParmaConstitutional Law and Theory
Senior LecturersBloom, Alexander Wheaton College Università di Roma TreRevising Postwar America: Commonality and Consensus Amid 'Happy Days' and 'Movement Days'
Name & Title Project Home University Host University
Name & Title Project Home University Host University
Madden, Etta Missouri State University Università di CataniaUtopian Visions and Mobility in American Literature and CulturePressler, Larry St. Johns University Università di BolognaU.S. History / International RelationsRom, Curt University of Arkansas Università di PadovaSustainable and Organic Production Systems: Local Farms to World Markets
Senior Research ScholarAllen, Barbara Virginia Polytechnic University Università di TrentoMaking Environmental Knowledge in an Italian Chemical Region: A Comparative PerspectiveBurke, Russell Hofstra University Museo Civico di Zoologia, RomeEcology and evolution of an invasive species: how have the lizards changed since they left home?Gibson, Mary John Jay College of Criminal Justice Università di BolognaThe Prisons of Rome: Punishment, Citizenship, and Italian Unification
Junior Research ScholarMorning, Ann New York University Università di MilanoImmigration and Construction of Difference in Italy
Graduate StudiesAndersen, Kathryn Princeton University Università di Scienze GastronomicheThe Development of D.O.P. Cheeses in ItalyChelz, Chloe The New School Politecnico di MilanoIlluminating Italy: Pietro Chiesa and Early 20th-Century Lighting DesignColeman, James Kiel Yale University Università di FirenzeOrphic Poetry and the Intellectual Life of Lorenzo de' Medici's CircleEuker, Megan Elizabeth Art Institute of Chicago Chianciano Archaelogical ExcavationsPreseving the Roman Bath: Bathing Rituals in Natural SpringsHolt, Emily Marie University of Michigan Archaelogic Museum "Villanovaforru"Excavating the Middle Bronze Age on Siddi Plateau, Central SardiniaHoward, Charles Nicholas Williams College Università di BolognaThe Civic Architecture of Aldo RossiHuy, Matthew Peter California State University, Long Beach Florence Dance Cultural CenterContemporary Dance in Italy: Uncovering a Historically Artistic CultureJasper, Kathryn Lee University of California, Berkeley Università di Urbino "Carlo Bo"Peter Damian, Hermits, and the Communication of Reform: Fonte Avellana in the 11th CenturyJones, Zoe Maria Duke University Museo di Arte Moderna, TrentoA Transnational Bohemia: The Futurist Art of Gino SeveriniNadalo, Stephanie Leigh Northwestern University Università di PisaNegotiating Pluralism in Seventeenth-Century LivornoPawloski, Joseph Paul Hofstra University Institute of Molecular Biology & Mathematical Modeling of the Cellular Ran Pathway PathologyRaff, Katherine Anne University of Michigan - Ann Arbor American Academy in RomeSocial Class and Visual Experience in the Apartments and Houses of Roman OstiaRislow, Madeline Ann University of Kansas Università di GenovaDynamic Doorways: The Function of Overdoor Sculpture in Renaissance GenovaRoda, Timothy Daniel University of Washington Uni. of Washington Rome CenterExploring my Heritage and Interpreting it Through ArtRoza, Katherine Anne Amherst College Università di SienaLiteracy and Language Development of Deaf ChildrenScholl, John Thomas University of California, Santa Barbara Archiepiscopal Archives of TurinReligious Life in Fourteenth Century PiedmontSherriffs, Margaret Flora University of California, Davis Università di TorinoEffects of Feminizing Bacteria on an Italian Leafhopper PestSilver, Lauren Fae St. John's University Unviersità di Roma TreArt on the Move: Working Toward a Model for the Protection of Cultural Property
Name & Title Project Home University Host University
Tazzara, Corey Samuel Stanford University European University Institute in "Great Disorder": Economic Culture in Medici Tuscany FlorenceStoltzfus, Andreas Michael McGill University Music Conservatory in NovaraLuciano Berio's Virtuosity: Techniques in Sequenza X Extended to New Trumpet Repertoire
Classics Seminar at the American Academy in Rome and the Vergilian Society in CumaeCasey, Timothy P. Westford Academy, MADe Boo, Edward L. Classical High School, RIFotsch, Jennifer M. Brookfield East High School, WIHeard, Brent L. Cranbrook-Kingwood School, MILarson, Jennifer Mount Saint Mary Academy, NJMarrin, Minet A.B. St. Paul's School, NHMcMillan, Devondra The Lawrenceville School, NJMoseley, Margaret Chapel Hill Middle School, NE
English Teaching Assistants (ETA)Aiello, Jacqueline Beatrice Queens College NapoliBrumbach, Christina Marie Dickinson College RomaCalfe, Marissa Leigh Dickinson College SalernoFazzano, Adriana Amherst College CataniaKatz, Samara Rachele At-large, California LecceMegli, Cassandra Deanne University of Arizona PalermoSargent, Anne Miller Cornell University Matera
Name & Title Project Home University Host University
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