Keynote Speaker - M. Giovine - M. Saccone

KEYNOTE

Marco Giovine

University of Genova, Italy

Marco Saccone

Italian Navy

The University of Genoa's Sea Center serves as an internal, cross-disciplinary hub to coordinate complex marine research and training initiatives. Its primary goal is to promote synergy and integration among the university's diverse research and teaching areas focused on the marine environment.

The Center's strength is its strong interdisciplinary nature, bringing together experts from seemingly distant sectors that are all intrinsically connected to the marine world. These fields include:

• Marine Sciences (biology, geology, oceanography)
• Engineering (naval, maritime)
• Law (maritime)
• Blue Economy (sustainable development, transport, and port facilities)
• Specialized Areas like languages (sea and navigation terminology), marine sports, and history (explorers and navigators).

This comprehensive approach allows the Sea Center to effectively address the complex challenges the sea presents: from sustainable resource management and ecosystem protection to developing innovative technologies and understanding climate change impacts. By fostering research networks, joint projects, and integrated training, the University of Genoa's Sea Center aims to be a national and international point of reference for maritime research, training, and innovation.

A Partnership at Sea

Among the projects coordinated by the Sea Center is a remarkable interdisciplinary research initiative carried out in partnership with the Naval Hydrographic Institute and the Italian Navy during the Amerigo Vespucci training ship's 2023-2025 World Tour.

Widely known as the “most beautiful ship in the world,” the Amerigo Vespucci recently completed her two-year global circumnavigation, a voyage combining the primary mission of training future naval officers with activities in diplomacy, culture, and scientific collaboration.

The unique collaboration with the University of Genoa’s Sea Center was a brilliant example of pooling expertise and resources. Beyond the significant scientific results, which are the subject of specific presentations, the project achieved a major outcome in terms of science diplomacy and mutual human growth between the crew and researchers, which opens the door to future joint ventures.

The Italian Navy's officer contribution to this keynote lecture will share real-life episodes at sea—including the successful passage of the legendary Cape Horn—to illustrate how teamwork, resilience, and the "crew spirit" enabled the Vespucci to face challenges and fulfill its multifaceted mission.

Professor Giovine's scientific and academic journey began with a Degree in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Biochemistry. He progressed through academic positions at the University of Genoa, becoming a Full Professor of Molecular Biology in 2024.
His research primarily focuses on marine molecular biology and marine biotechnology. He has led various national and international research projects in this field, and his scientific activity is documented by more than 80 publications in peer-reviewed international journals. He is also a co-inventor on several national and international biotechnology patents and a co-founder of two university spin-offs.
Prof. Giovine has held various academic appointments, including President of a Master's program in food biotechnology and Rector's Delegate for Student Orientation. He currently holds the position of President of the UniGe Sea Study Center, a strategic hub for advancing marine research and initiatives.

Lieutenant (Navy) Marco Saccone’s professional trajectory began with his graduation from classical high school in 2011, followed by his entry into the Italian Navy in 2012. He earned a Law Degree in 2017.
From 2017 to 2019, he served aboard the destroyer Caio Duilio, carrying out diverse operational and administrative duties.
Financial and Strategic Planning Expertise
In 2019, he was assigned to the Financial Office of the Defence General Staff, operating within the inter-forces domain in the Ufficio Generale Pianificazione, Programmazione e Bilancio (UGPPB). In this top interservice programming body, he was responsible for managing budget planning, resource allocation, and overseeing the financial distribution for Defence's investment sector. During this assignment, he also participated in the United Nations Contingent-Owned Equipment Working Group in New York (January 2023), contributing to discussions on the standardization and reimbursement of equipment used in UN peacekeeping operations.
Logistics and Administration on the Amerigo Vespucci
Since October 2023, Lieutenant Saccone has been embarked on board the Amerigo Vespucci as the Board Purser (Supply Officer / Commissario di Bordo). In this capacity, he is entrusted with the comprehensive administrative, financial, and logistical management of the vessel during its complex international operations. His duties include coordinating port calls, procurement, customs procedures, event organization, and diplomatic liaison.