Human Technopole Towards More Sustainable and Open Research

The HT Auditorium at the heart of the MIND district, hosted the presentation of the fifth edition of its Integrated Report on 27 October, illustrating the first year of implementation of the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan. The document highlights the Institute’s scientific impact and its growing integration within Italy’s life sciences ecosystem, showcasing Human Technopole’s ongoing sustainable transformation throughout 2024.

In 2024, Human Technopole continued to strengthen its commitment to interdisciplinary research excellenceby contributing to 14 goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: promoting gender equality with 54% female staff, celebrating six award-winning scientists, and launching 14 new partnerships with universities, hospitals, and research centres. This effort was supported by €11 million in international external funding, including two prestigious ERC grants.

The 2024 edition of HT’s Integrated Report reflects the objectives of the 2024–2028 Strategic Plan and documents the achievements of its first year of implementation. This voluntary reporting process, initiated in 2020, just one year after the start of the Institute’s scientific activity, is based on transparency, measurable results, and accountability, and was recognised last year by the 60th Oscar di Bilancio award.

From a methodological perspective, the 2024 Report introduces for the first time a double materiality assessment, a key element guiding the Foundation’s future actions towards objectives that integrate ESG considerations.

Impact on the national scientific community

Human Technopole’s research relies on state-of-the-art infrastructures and scientific facilities, key assets ensuring competitiveness and attractiveness within the international life science landscape. In line with its mission to promote scientific excellence in Italy, HT launched dedicated services to support the needs of the national scientific community. Within this framework, in June 2024 five National Facilities were inaugurated: shared infrastructures designed according to an open innovation model. Their impact has been both immediate and substantial, the number of projects submitted by Italian research institutions and approved by the Standing Independent Evaluation Committee (CIVP) rose from 38 at the end of 2024 to 184 by September 2025, confirming the growing participation and relevance of this initiative.

Governance evolution

In parallel with its scientific and infrastructural achievements, the Institute has also made significant progress in strengthening its governance. In 2024, several key managerial roles were introduced, including Chief Administration Officer Elena Trovesi, Head of Research Facilities and Services Eugenio Fava, and Head of Human Resources Nicola Bianchi. The implementation of the new organisational structure was completed in 2025 with the appointment of Chief Scientific Operations Officer Pietro Gatti, an innovative role in the research landscape, designed to facilitate the integration of the Institute’s scientific activities with its administrative processes. The position also oversees technology transfer initiatives and the valorisation of research outcomes with tangible benefits for public health.

In 2025, Special Operations Programme and Project Director Alessandro Parolini, responsible for the development of the HT Campus, and Head of Communications Laura Bruzzone, leading the Institute’s communication strategies, were also appointed.