L'Italo-Americano

16 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 A Talk about Science sIlVIA sIMoNettI On the occasion of the panel discussion and exhibition "Italy of the Future" which took place at the Italian Cultural Institute on Wednesday, September 4, we had the opportunity to meet two generations of brilliant scientists represented by Dr. Vito Campese and Dr. Filippo Sozzi, and to ask them a few questions about their job, as well as their opinion on the status of scientific research in Italy. After graduating from the University of Bari in 1966, return to Italy, but the turmoil in the universities at that time and the uncertainty of a stable career influenced my final decision. What is your main field of activity? I am researching the relation between liver and brain, and how it affects high blood pressure. At the same time, I am also Chair of the Italian Scientists and Scholars North American Foundation (ISSNAF), whose mission is to promote cooperation among Italian researchers working in North Professor Vito Campese Professor Campese completed his studies at the USC School of Medicine, and was soon offered a position in the Nephrology division. Did you intend to stay in the US? In the beginning I meant to America and create a sort of "bridge" between the two sides of the Atlantic. That bridge is crossed by many young talented Italian scientists, but more and more often with no return... In Italy there is still much to do in terms of investments and creation of job opportunities. Last year, upon request of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a task force of scientists set up a ten-year plan pointing out priorities and suggestions to address governance, funds, meritocracy, and exchanges between universities and enterprises. We are still waiting for a response by Italian politicians. Yet we can see signs of innovation: peer review was introduced three years ago by the Italian Ministry of Healthcare, so now grants are assigned according to merit by an unbiased board here in the US. Improvement only depends on people's will, and tonight's event can be a good occasion to raise awareness. An occasion made possible also by the passionate work of Dr. Filippo Sozzi and his colleagues. Natural Science graduate, he has specialized in designing and has realized scientific exhibitions at the Istituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia in Genoa, part of the Italian National Research Council (CNR) since 2003. Would you tell us more about your job at the CNR? My team and I create and set up exhibitions for science centers and museums, featuring objects and experiments for the visitors to interact with. Our goal is to disseminate knowl- edge by making science appealing and enjoyable. This one in particular has been commissioned to us by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the purpose of presenting a new image of Italy people usually think of Japan rather than Italy. Yet there are many Italian centers specialized in this sector, like the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa where a street cleaner robot has been invented and actually Dr. Filippo Sozzi presenting the exhibition Italy of the Future at the IIC around the world, not only rooted in its past greatness but based on high-level innovation. So we have collected some live samples of the scientific achievements in different fields where Italy is in the forefront at global level, such as nuclear physics, maritime transportation, and robotics; but also science applied to fashion and design, as they are an essential part of the Made in Italy and able to attract more visitors. Humanoid robots seem particularly fascinating... When it comes to robotics, Spectrum Languages: Conversational Italian and More Community Highlights At Spectrum Languages Learning Institute based in Orange County, CA, students are encouraged to speak their newly acquired language skills and interact with the teacher and classmates rather than just focus on memorization or repetition. "I can watch soccer," Nadia Dorsey, an Italian instructor and the institute's director, points out, "but unless I kick the ball, I'm not going to progress. Speaking a language is not just about being a spectator but more importantly about being a participant." After living in five countries including Italy, Nadia herself speaks five languages and knows first hand what it is like learn a new language. Her travels and experiences have helped her as a teacher as she fully comprehends what it is like " to be lost in the language chaos of not being able to communicate." Her love of languages eventually inspired her to found Spectrum Languages over ten years ago while finishing her requirements for her graduation from Duke University. Spectrum Languages and its instructors fully understand that the demand for speaking multi- Dr. Americo Simonini was guest speaker at SOIHL last meeting Cardiologist but also actor, writer and producer of Italian descent, Americo Simonini's onstage career has started by chance thanks to his resemblance to the killer protagonist of Kiss of Death, which earned him the main role in the stage play Brooklyn USA. He has also taken part in various TV and big employed. Not to mention the iCub, realized by the Italian Institute of Technology, that will come to life here at the IIC on September 18 to show us what it is capable of doing. Would you recommend a scientific career to young generations in Italy? Of course, if they are really into it. Despite of the serious condition of scientific research in our country, I believe that science still has much to offer, and it is likely to trigger Italy's economic recovery in the next few years. ple languages in this global economy is growing. Equally, with generations of ItalianAmericans aging, the demand and desire to learn about and maintain the Italian linguistic and cultural heritage is increasingly important to those living in the U.S.. "When you experience the ability to speak another language, your life's experiences will be enriched." Nadia explains. "Learning another language gives you power. Speaking another language liberates you from an otherwise mute world." With a full staff, which includes Director of ESL and Program Development, Kendy Taylor, Spectrum Languages is ready to meet this growing demand. Whether you are looking to connect with your heritage or conduct business abroad, Nadia and her team offer Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and English as a second language, ESL. "Our goal is not only to teach people Italian" Nadia states, "but also to provide an engaging and enriching cultural experience that people look forward to every week." For more information, visit: www.spectrumlanguages.com Dr. Americo Simonini, guest speaker at the SOIHL meeting screen productions such as Days of Our Lives, Grey's Anatomy, and A Good Day To Die Hard. Dr. Simonini was invited as a guest speaker on the occasion of the Sons of Italy Hollywood Lodge meeting at Christ the King School on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:30 pm, to share with the public his personal and professional experience. A ray of sun at Casa Italiana On Friday, September 13 at 7:30 pm the Casa Italiana will host the event A Ray of Sun under the Stars of Los Angeles, music performance of a group of six talented young artists directed by vocal coach, pianist and soprano Ida Decenvirale from Med Music Talent Academy in Bari, Italy. This concert represents a good opportunity to find out more about the potential and future of Italian pop music, as all of the singers are between the age of 12 and 18. Many of them have already played in some major Tv shows and competitions like Ti lascio una canzone and Italian Idol. The collection Gems of the Medici to return to Florence This will be the last weekend for visitors to enjoy the exhibition "Gems of the Medici" on display at the Bowers Museum A piece from the collection Gems of the Medici in Santa Ana, featuring unique pieces from the Medici collection and a cornelian from the Seal of Nero. The exhibition - organized by Contemporanea Progetti in collaboration with Museo degli Argenti, Palazzo Pitti and Museo Archeologico Nazionale in Florence, and funded at Bowers Museum by the M. A. Cargill Foundation and DeSantis family - showcases precious gems, vases, busts and carvings realized by master craftsmen, goldsmiths, silversmiths and sculptors. These amazing objects come from different museums in Italy, and have been gathered together for this occasion which allows to fully appreciate the quality and range of the Medici art collection.

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