Opportunity for All
About UsL’Accademia di Gagliato Globale (AGG) was founded on the principle that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. In a world that relies on science to solve our most complex problems, too many communities are cut off from the day-to-day workings of science and technology innovation and education. In such settings, adults and children alike often miss opportunities to learn and engage with science and technology, and scientists miss valuable chances to learn from lay people whose cultural and practical know-how could inform more beneficial innovations and solutions.
AGG seeks to close that opportunity and communication gap by supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals who return to their home communities as role models and ambassadors for STEM ingenuity. AGG members, called accademici, are charged with opening the door to the unlimited possibilities in STEM education and careers.
Our Mission
AGG encourages STEM professionals to become STEM philanthropists by developing events in their home communities that connect STEM experts and innovators with local community members.
- Inspire and engage young people through innovative educational programs on the frontier of science and technology
- Disseminate knowledge and basic competence on science and medical advances among a public of nonexperts
- Encourage collaborations, partnership and exchanges among scientists, business leaders, young researchers, innovators in all fields, and creative minds
- Offer a unique venue for in-depth discussions among global experts on novel solutions to unmet STEM challenges
Interested in joining AGG?
Do you have a creative idea to bring science to life in your community? Apply to become an accademico of AGG.
Our Story
NanoGagliato
In the summer of 2008, Dr. Mauro Ferrari and his wife, Paola, invited a close group of nanoscientist friends to Gagliato, Italy. These friends were world leaders in nanotechnology, and spontaneously engaged in four days of intense, format-free scientific discussions, interspersed with trips to the beach, explorations of local folklore, debates with the local townsfolk, and family-style banquets. The innovations and collaborations born from this gathering inspired the group to continue meeting annually, inviting new experts to join in the venture each summer.
This event has become known as NanoGagliato and grown into an annual invitation-only nanotechnology conference and think tank focused on translational innovations. Each conference features five days of events to encourage discussions and collaborations among world experts and dissemination of information about nanotechnology — especially nanomedicine — among the lay public.
L’Accademia di Gagliato delle Nanoscienze
In 2009, the group established the nonprofit L’Accademia di Gagliato delle Nanoscienze (Academy of Gagliato of NanoSciences) to oversee the planning of these conferences and the many activities that developed from them. L’Accademia is based in Gagliato (CZ), Italy. It is headquartered in the beautiful FRANTOIO, an ancient oil mill whose new design has been artistically inspired and innovatively translated by local builders with a grant obtained through a European Community project competition.
NanoPiccola
One of the highlights of the Accademia is its junior arm, NanoPiccola (La Piccola Accademia di Gagliato), a program devoted to informal education in nanotechnology and STEM applications for children ages 4 to18. NanoPiccola launched the first series of educational activities for schoolchildren in the summer of 2010. This lively and very successful program became part of the NanoDays series developed by the NISE (Nanoscale Informal Science Education) Network. Approximately a hundred children from Gagliato and nearby towns attend this educational festival each year, which includes games, presentations, trading cards, and a Q&A session with the scientists.
Over the years, NanoPiccola has engaged and entertained more than 1,000 children with creative science education opportunities.
Accademia di Gagliato Globale
As NanoGagliato and NanoPiccola grew in popularity, participants expressed interest in replicating these experiences in their home communities. Thus, in 2019, L’Accademia di Gagliato Globale was born. As an extension of L’Accademia di Gagliato delle Nanoscienze, AGG created a formal infrastructure to support STEM professionals across the globe in their efforts to inspire creativity, educate youths, disseminate knowledge, and promote communication and collaboration.
Our Leadership
President
Paola Del Zotto Ferrari founded the L’Accademia di Gagliato delle NanoScienze in 2009 and acts as its current president. She is married to Mauro Ferrari and lives in California. They have five children. Paola has been a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University in New York City, where she obtained a Masters in International Affairs in 1994. She worked at the United Nations Secretariat as the Assistant to the UnderSecretary General for Public Information, and in the NGOs Office of the same department. She is also the founder and Honorary President of Achilles Houston International, a non profit that engages disabled athletes with able-body athletes in training and sports competitions.
Executive Secretary
Giovanni Sinopoli is the executive secretary of L’Accademia di Gagliato. Born and raised in Gagliato, he studied at the ITG of Soverato where he obtained his diploma in 2003. He is a registered surveyor and owns his own practice in Gagliato. He has directed several public and private construction sites, including the Photovoltaic Park north of Gagliato. He is married with three children.
Board of Directors
Domenico Garieri: Co-Founder
Patrizia Doldo: Co-Founder
Fabrizia Venuta: Co-Founder
Barbara Bass, MD: Board Member
Tess Mateo: Board Member
Support
L’Accademia di Gagliato is financially sustained by private sponsorships and public grants.