University of Pisa

Associated Member

The University of Pisa is one of the oldest and most prestigious public universities in Italy and Europe, founded in 1343. It is a comprehensive university structured into 20 Departments and 2 Schools, offering more than 150 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes, including single-cycle degrees, over 20 PhD programmes, more than 50 medical specialisation schools, and over 60 postgraduate master’s programmes. Its academic fields span agriculture, food, natural sciences, engineering, computer science, physics, social sciences, humanities, human medicine, and veterinary medicine. With over 45,000 students, the University ranks among the largest universities in Italy and attracts students from across Italy and from numerous countries worldwide. The University of Pisa has a strong international orientation and an established record of participation in European research and innovation programmes. It has taken part in 206 European projects under Horizon 2020 and other EU programmes, reflecting its active engagement in competitive international research funding schemes. The University is also a member of the European University Alliance Circle U., fostering collaboration in research, education, and innovation on global challenges such as climate change, global health, democracy, and artificial intelligence. The International Microbial Archives (IMA) of the University of Pisa, maintained at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, preserves microbial resources of agronomic, environmental and food interest, supporting research and collaboration with academic and industrial partners. The collection currently includes 42 bacterial strains, 29 yeasts and 6 arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). It features functional yeasts from traditional foods and beverages, beneficial AMF for sustainable agriculture, and Plant Growth Promoting (PGP) bacteria associated with AMF spores, highlighting its relevance for food biotechnology and soil health applications.

Key people:

  • Monica Agnolucci
  • Alessandra Turrini