Founders - IIT

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[Founders] - Introduction

Key people who brought IIT to life

IIT was established thanks to the contributions of visionary figures who developed an innovative research model, seamlessly integrating science and technology to address the challenges of modern society. Since its inception, IIT has been built on solid conceptual and organizational foundations. The individuals presented in this section played a significant role in the creation of the institute and are distinguished by their exceptional international standing in their respective fields.

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[FOUNDERS] - List

Vittorio Grilli Sole Commissioner and first President

Economist, public manager, and former Minister of Economy and Finance. From March 2004 to October 2005, he served as the Sole Commissioner of the Institute, then became its president in the subsequent period (until 2011).

Roberto Cingolani First Scientific Director

Full Professor of Physics, Minister for Ecological Transition in the Draghi Government (2021–2022), and Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo since 2023. Scientific Director of the Institute from December 2005 to September 2019.

Emilio Bizzi Chairman of the first Technical-Scientific Committee

Neuroscientist, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and former President of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Chairman of the first Technical-Scientific Committee.

Giulio Sandini First Director of the Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department

Full Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Genoa. Founder, in June 2006, of the Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department and, since then, Principal Investigator of the Institute's research unit of the same name.

Darwin Caldwell First Director of the Advanced Robotics Department

Roboticist and honorary professor at the Universities of Manchester, Sheffield, Bangor, and King's College London in the UK, and at Tianjin University in China. Founder, in June 2006, of the Advanced Robotics Department and, since then, Principal Investigator of the Institute's research unit of the same name.

Jean-Guy Fontaine First Director of the TeleRobotics and Applications Department

Roboticist and professor at Pierre and Marie Curie University. Founder, in July 2006, of the TeleRobotics and Applications Department.

Fabio Benfenati First Director of the Neurosciences Department

Neurophysiologist and full professor at the University of Genoa. Founder, in July 2006, of the Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department. Currently, Principal Investigator of the Neuroscience and Smart Materials research unit of the Institute and coordinator of the Center of Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology (NSYN@UniGe).

John Assad First Director of the Neurosciences Department

Neurobiologist and professor at Harvard Medical School. Founder, in June 2006, of the Neurosciences Department. Currently, Principal Investigator at the Institute's outpost at Harvard.

Daniele Piomelli First Director of the Drug Discovery and Development Department

Neuroscientist and professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the University of California Irvine. Founder, in 2006, of the Drug Discovery and Development Department, which he directed until 2016.