“From Research to Business”: A Seminar on Science, Innovation and Sustainability for Public Health
The Spoke 7 event at Simbiosi, Innovation Center Giulio Natta
The seminar "From research to business: sustainable strategies for public health" (June 20, 2025) represented an opportunity for discussion between the academic world, applied research and businesses on the topic of sustainability, with particular attention to its implications in the health and environmental fields.
Promoted as part of the NODES project and the extended OnFoods partnership, the event involved students, young researchers, university professors, startups and local businesses in a day full of ideas and testimonials. The program addressed the issue of sustainability through an integrated approach, along the entire supply chain: from the environment to nutrition, from the valorization of waste to the circular economy, up to the strategic role of businesses.
Hellas Cena opened the proceedings with a reflection on the link between environment and health, underlining the urgency of promoting lifestyles and dietary models capable of preserving public health and the planet. Following this, Sara Boussetta examined the concept of sustainable nutrition, illustrating innovative solutions for a fairer and healthier future. The dialogue between research and business was at the center of the speech by Vincenzo Della Monica, who presented the vision of Simbiosi: transforming utilities, industries and property owners into “environment producers” through nature-based solutions, waste valorization and resource regeneration.
The second part of the morning was dedicated to the valorization of bioactive molecules and the fight against malnutrition, with the speech by Niccolò Meriggi (CNR IBBA) and Adele Papetti (University of Pavia), who highlighted the therapeutic and nutraceutical potential of compounds extracted from organic matrices. Closing the session, Pietro Agostinelli illustrated how artificial intelligence can support the circular economy, monitoring and optimizing the use of land and natural resources.
In the afternoon, a guided tour was organized at Simbiosi, a host company born from agro-environmental research projects and now active in the development of sustainable technologies applied to the real world. The experience allowed those present to see circular and nature-based solutions in action that integrate innovation, environmental protection and social responsibility.