Spring DEBates 2026 – 8th meeting (rescheduled to 09/06/2026)
2026-06-09 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Rome) | Aula 1 – Blocco G
Modelli di cambiamento climatico a diverse scale: dal riscaldamento globale agli impatti locali
The seminar, originally scheduled for 28/05/2026, will take place on 09/06/2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Sandro Calmanti, researcher, ENEA.
Open to all participants.
Recognition of 1 ECTS credit for PhD candidates in Ecology and Sustainable Management of Environmental Resources, subject to full participation in the seminar series.
The event, organized in collaboration with Porta Futuro Lazio, will be held in a hybrid format, both in person (room G1) and online. During the seminar, a small refreshment will be offered, including drinks and snacks, as a moment of informal discussion and networking among participants.
Zoom link: https://unitus.zoom.us/j/87184857245
Download the poster here.

Research on the medieval fortified site of Zakagori Fortress in northern Georgia.
2026-06-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Campus Riello, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, 010100, Italy
On the occasion of the UNITUS Staff Week 2026, Dr. Levan Kvakhadze (The University of
Georgia) will present his research on the medieval fortified site of Zakagori Fortress in northern
Georgia. The site played a crucial role in the regional medieval defensive network, serving as a
strategic hub for controlling boundary zones and defending communication routes in the Caucasus.
The presentation will take place on June 9 th at 3:00 PM in Room G3 of the Riello complex.
Poster

Open Educational Resources: Sharing Knowledge, Opening Doors
2026-06-19 09:00 - 10:30
Short description: Open Educational Resources (OER) as an important part of the Open Science movement make teaching and learning materials freely accessible, adaptable, and reusable. In this webinar, we will explore the basic principles of OER, their benefits for higher education, and practical ways to find, use, and share open materials. Participants will gain an overview of key concepts, licensing issues, OER-publishing and first steps toward integrating OER into their own teaching practice.
Target audience: Teachers, lecturers, instructional designers, e-learning staff, educational developers, students, and everyone interested in open education and digital teaching resources.
Date and time: 19 June, 9:00– 10:30 am (Vienna time)
Webinar link_ The webinar link (run as a ZOOM Meeting offering the opportunity for a better personal contact) is provided here: https://bokuvienna.zoom.us/j/62418085001
Recording: The recording will be available after the webinar: [link will be provided after the webinar]

International Summer School: Urban data science
2026-06-22 08:00 - 2026-07-04 17:00 | Centro Studi Alpino di Pieve Tesino (Trento), Via Rovigo 7, Pieve Tesino, 38050, Italy
The University of Tuscia, in collaboration with UTEC (Technological University of Uruguay), the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the Technical University of Lisbon, is organizing the third edition of the “International Summer School: Urban Data Science.”
The program offers Master’s degree students a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge of multidisciplinary urban challenges and data analysis applied to urban contexts.
The Summer School will take place at the Centro Studi Alpino in Pieve Tesino (Trento, Italy) from June 22 to July 4, 2026, and i twill be held in English.
The course will cover the following topics:

Urban Hydrology (rainfall models and simulations);
Urban Metabolism (understanding material flows across the economy);
Urban Thermal Environment (assessing and mitigating urban heat).

Throughout the program, participants will explore subjects such as time series analysis, complex systems, data analysis techniques, machine learning, and satellite image analysis. The Summer School also includes hands-on activities aimed at applying the knowledge acquired, as well as a final assessment.
Participation is free of charge for Master’s degree students of the University of Tuscia, including both the registration fee and accommodation.
For further information and application details, please contact Prof. Andrea Petroselli at: petro@unitus.it

The University of Tuscia Welcomes a Delegation from Tongji University (Shanghai, China)
2026-07-13 09:00 - 18:30
On Monday, 13 July 2026, the University of Tuscia will welcome a delegation from Tongji University (Shanghai, China), consisting of 16 students and 2 faculty members, to its Viterbo campus. The visit will provide an opportunity for scientific and cultural exchange between the two universities and will be hosted by the Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB).
The morning session, held in the Main Lecture Hall of Block G (Riello Campus), will begin at 9:00 a.m. with welcome remarks by Prof. Massimiliano Fenice, Deputy Director of the DEB. This will be followed by a series of seminars in English showcasing cutting-edge research, covering topics ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to DNA and RNA modifications, plant biology, and the molecular links between ageing and cancer. The speakers will include Yujun Hou, Jianhuang Xue, Silvia Proietti, and Luca Proietti De Santis. The programme will continue with a guided tour of the University’s Central Research Facilities, including the Electron and Confocal Microscopy Laboratory, the Mass Spectrometry Facility, and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Laboratory.
In the afternoon, the delegation will visit the University’s Rectorate, where a presentation will focus on the institution and the international mobility opportunities available to students and researchers.
The visit represents an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the University of Tuscia and one of China’s leading universities, fostering scientific cooperation and international engagement.
Programme
Contacts:
Organising Coordinator: Prof. Luca Proietti De Santis – proietti@unitus.it
Internationalisation Coordinator: Prof. Cristian Silvestri – silvestri.c@unitus.it

DEB | Incontri di preparazione all’Esame di Stato per la professione di Biologo
2026-07-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Aula Magna – Blocco G, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, 01100
Il Dipartimento di Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche, in collaborazione con Luigi Grillo dell’Ordine dei Biologi, organizza due incontri di preparazione all’Esame di Stato per l’abilitazione alla professione di Biologo.
Gli incontri si terranno nei giorni:

16 luglio 2026
17 luglio 2026

dalle ore 15:00 alle ore 17:00, presso l’Aula Magna del Blocco G.
Per maggiori informazioni è possibile contattare il Prof. Luca Proietti De Santis: proietti@unitus.it

Seminar | Plant-Beneficial Microbiomes: Individual Strains, SynComs, and Beyond
2026-07-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Aula 4 – Blocco G, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, VT, 01100, Italy
Dr. Adam Ossowicki from the University of Malaga will be a guest of the Department for a seminar on plant-beneficial microbiomes and their applications, ranging from individual microbial strains to synthetic communities (SynComs).
The event, organized by Prof. Silvia Proietti, will take place on Thursday, 30 July, at 11:00 a.m. in Room G4.
Poster

DEB Seminar | Hybridization and Evolutionary Success: From Insects to Humans
2026-08-13 21:30 - 22:30
On August 13th, at 9:30 p.m., at Parco Palombini in Tarquinia, Prof. Giuseppe Nascetti, Emeritus Professor at the University of Tuscia, will deliver the seminar “Hybridization and Evolutionary Success: From Insects to Humans”.
The seminar will provide an introduction to the phenomenon of hybridization, an evolutionary process now recognised as one of the main drivers of biodiversity. Through examples ranging from insects to humans, the lecture will illustrate how hybridisation has promoted species’ adaptation to environmental change, contributing to their evolution and evolutionary success throughout the history of life.
Event flyer

THE WALKING DEB 5.0: A Day Exploring the Natural Sciences
2026-09-11 10:30 - 17:00 | Riserva Naturale Regionale Monterano, Str. Antica Monterano, Canale Monterano (RM), 00060, Italy
Have you just graduated from high school, or are you choosing your university path? If you are passionate about nature, the environment, and biodiversity, come and discover the Bachelor’s Degree in Natural and Environmental Sciences (L-32).
The Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB) invites you to the fifth edition of The Walking DEB, an orientation event designed for prospective students to learn more about the degree programme, meet the academic staff, and experience field-based learning firsthand.
On Friday, September 11, we will explore the Monterano Regional Nature Reserve (Canale Monterano, Rome). Along the trail, academic staff will guide participants through the geological, botanical, zoological, and ecological features of the area, demonstrating how field observation is one of the fundamental tools for understanding and conserving the natural environment.
The meeting point is at 10:30 a.m. at the Oriolo Romano railway station (Province of Viterbo), where a free shuttle service will be available to take participants to the nature reserve.
Participants are required to wear appropriate hiking clothing. A packed lunch, educational materials, and a welcome gadget will be provided by the organizers.
Participation is free of charge, but places are limited. To register, please complete the online form available at: https://forms.gle/tD4WCsLD29Nv9Jpa9.
For further information, please contact Prof. Roberta Meschini (meschini@unitus.it) or Prof. Adriana Bellati (adriana.bellati@unitus.it).
Download the event flyer

CometoDeb: Join the Experimental Biology and Bioinformatics Masterclass – Registration Now Open
2026-09-17 10:00 - 2026-09-18 17:00 | Campus Riello, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, 010100, Italy
Following the success of its first edition, the Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences at the University of Tuscia is pleased to launch the second edition of ComeToDEB, an intensive theoretical and practical masterclass in Experimental Biology and Bioinformatics. The course is designed for undergraduate finalists and graduates in Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, and related disciplines who wish to deepen their knowledge of modern biological research approaches.
The masterclass will take place in Viterbo on 17–18 September 2026 at the laboratories and facilities of the Riello Campus (Largo dell’Università). The programme combines lectures with hands-on laboratory activities and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, for a total of 12 training hours.
ComeToDEB aims to provide participants with the foundations needed to understand, analyse, and interpret complex biological systems by integrating concepts from molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the masterclass will offer a comprehensive overview of the methodologies currently employed in biological research.
At a time when life sciences increasingly rely on the integration of experimental data and computational tools, ComeToDEB offers a valuable opportunity to explore the latest approaches in Experimental Biology and Bioinformatics. Participants will gain hands-on experience with omics sciences through laboratory activities and high-throughput data analysis, acquiring essential knowledge to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying living systems.
The programme also includes a dedicated career development and placement session, aimed at helping participants explore career opportunities and better understand the skills required in academic research, biotechnology, and related sectors.
Participation is free of charge. Applications must be submitted by completing the online application form available at https://forms.gle/9GCYzgEooYCwxNd98 by 7 September 2026. Applicants are required to provide a brief statement of motivation together with information about their undergraduate degree programme.
Admission will be based on the evaluation of the applications received, taking into account the applicant’s motivation and the relevance of their academic background. Places are limited to 20 participants.
For further information, please contact Prof. Roberta Meschini (meschini@unitus.it) or Prof. Laura Bertini (lbertini@unitus.it).
Download the masterclass brochure
