The Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) announced, during its 42nd National Congress, the appointments of Armando Genazzani as President and Monica DiLuca as President-Elect for the 2024–2026 term.
GENAZZANI, CIRINO, DILUCA
The Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) has officially appointed Armando Genazzani as President and Monica DiLuca as President-Elect for the 2024–2026 term. During the 42nd National Congress, held in Sorrento, the next steps for the Italian pharmacological community were outlined under the guidance of two prominent figures in the international scientific arena.
Armando Genazzani: A Leading Figure for the Present
Elected as President for the 2024–2026 term, Genazzani brings extensive academic and professional expertise. Currently a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Turin, he previously served as Director of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Eastern Piedmont. His research has focused on groundbreaking topics, such as signal transduction mechanisms and the discovery of new pharmacological targets. With over 200 publications and an h-index of 55, his contributions have been pivotal in advancing the understanding of cellular communication and developing therapeutic strategies in oncology and neurology.
“I am proud to lead SIF at such a crucial time for pharmacology,” said Genazzani. “Our mission is to promote research that addresses patients’ needs while strengthening the international standing of Italian pharmacology.” He also expressed gratitude to the outgoing president, Giuseppe Cirino, emphasizing the importance of investing in young pharmacologists, who represent the future of the discipline.
Monica DiLuca: The First Elected Female President
Monica DiLuca, Full Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Milan and Vice-Rector for Research, has been elected President for the 2026–2028 term, becoming the first woman to hold this position in SIF’s history. A member of EMBO, she has received numerous prestigious international accolades, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bordeaux (2019), an Honorary Degree from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Mons (2017), and the EPHAR Rodolfo Paoletti Award for Excellence in Pharmacology (2024).
Her main research interests focus on synaptic plasticity in both physiological and pathological conditions, with a primary aim of translating basic discoveries into treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Her work has significantly advanced understanding of glutamatergic synapses under both normal and pathological conditions, enhancing knowledge of plasticity and memory while paving the way for novel neuroprotective tools. Her research has been supported by numerous competitive national and international grants.
“Our society is complex and diverse,” stated DiLuca. “I will strive to respect and integrate the various professional and scientific fields, with particular attention to supporting the growth of SIF’s younger members.” Her tenure promises to focus on international collaboration and innovation in both preclinical and clinical pharmacology.