Olimpia Meucci, MD, PhD (Drexel University) and Renato Brandimarti, PhD (University of Bologna) received a grant from the University of Bologna to cement scientific collaborations between the two universities. The award follows a recent agreement signed by Provost Brian Blake and Il Magnifico Rettore Francesco Ubertini that facilitates and regulates exchange of graduate/undergraduate students interested in global education. The initiative, spearheaded over a year ago by Drs. Meucci and Brandimarti, and aptly dubbed DUniBo, aims to increase student-centered scientific collaborations and other types of academic interactions between the University of Bologna and Drexel University.

This new award will support an approximately six months project known as The Student Ambassador that is geared to increase both individual and institutional knowledge of the research and educational opportunities available to students. Students will be involved in a research project and spend 8-10 weeks abroad (i.e. in Philadelphia or Bologna, respectively). During this time and under the guidance of a faculty mentor and a fellow local student, they will also set the stage for future collaborations. Selection of students is based on academic status, communication skills, and research interests.