RESEARCH:

• in 1997 discussed a thesis on robotics and positioning systems for endoscopic surgery at the University of Tuebingen, in partnership with the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center

• Coordinator of the ESCO-study (Endoscopic Stenting for Colonic Obstruction), international multicenter randomized controlled trial sponsored by the EAES (www.escostudy.zapto.org)

• Coordinator of the MUSIC-study (MULTI-PORT VS. SINGLE-PORT CHOLECYSTECTOMY), international multicenter randomized controlled trial sponsored by the EAES (50.000 EU) (www.music.world.it)

• Coordinator of the Polymeric films and magnetic forces for gallbladder retraction during a fully translumenal cholecystectomy sponsored by EURONOTES (20.000 EU)

  GRANTS:

• 1999 Research Fellowship of Karl Storz Endoskope, for a study on robotics (1.12.98 - 30.11.99) (48.000 DM)

• 2010 Research Grant of the EAES (1.10.2011 -30.09.2014) (50.000 EU)

• 2010 Research Grant of the EURONOTES (1.10.2010 - 30.09.2012) (20.000 EU)

• 2011/12 Research Grant (Ricerca Finalizzata) of the Ministry of Health for the study “GLP-1agonist treatment vs. endoscopic procedures in obesity management and type II diabetes mellitus: a randomized clinical trial” (1.10.2014 - 30.09.2017) (253.000 EU)

• 2013 Research Grant (Ricerca Finalizzata) of the Ministry of Health for the study “Pre-clinical development and validation of a endoscopic robot with soft thread to replace colonoscopy” (1.12.2016 - 30.11.2019) (274.000 EU)

• from 1.12.01 to 30.11.03 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project CLEANTEST on Cleaning, sterilization and design of instruments for endoscopic surgery within the FP5 (365.000 EU)

• from 1.09.06 to 31.08.11 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project VECTOR on development of a robotic capsule for GI endoscopy, within the FP6 for 9.000.000 EU of contribution.

• from 1.1.2012 to 31.12.2015 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project STIFF-FLOP on STIFFness controllable Flexible and Learnable Manipulator for surgical OPerations within the FP7, for 7.350.000 EU of contribution.

  since 1.12.2015 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project named EndoVESPA (Endoscopic Versatile robotic guidancE, diagnoSis and theraPy of magnetic-driven soft-tethered endoluminAl robots) within HORIZON 2020, for 4.350.000 EU of contribution.