Community
Diverse voices, coming together
to imagine what’s possible
A community where ideas grow, connections strengthen, and new possibilities emerge.
SEMM brings together over 200 PhD students across institutes located in several Italian cities. We work in English within an open and inclusive environment where diverse experiences fuel ideas and new perspectives spark discovery.
Students actively shape SEMM life—organizing events, contributing to committees, and building connections across our distributed network. Their energy and engagement are essential to the collaborative spirit that defines our School.
Hear their voices:
Testimonials from current students
“I chose the SEMM PhD programme because it provides an international and interdisciplinary research environment. It allows me to interact with diverse research groups, access broad expertise, and shape my project across multiple institutions.
As part of my PhD, I gained international research experience as a visiting scholar at JPL–NASA, USA, and at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center, Lithuania. These experiences strengthened my ability to collaborate across disciplines, adapt to new research environments, and approach complex biological questions from multiple perspectives.”
Bablu Kumar 4th year PhD student at the University of Bari 
"I am a PhD student in the Neurogenomics research centre at the Human Technopole research institute.
During my PhD I have access to top-notch infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities that strongly support cutting-edge research. The program has also exposed me to a vibrant and international network of collaborators, promoting daily scientific exchange across disciplines and institutions.
Working within this environment has allowed me to contribute to high-impact projects at the intersection of functional genomics and neurodevelopment."
Manuel Lessi 3rd year PhD student at the Human Technopole, Milan Working within this environment has allowed me to contribute to high-impact projects at the intersection of functional genomics and neurodevelopment."
“SEMM provides a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, where close interactions with clinicians, biologists, and data scientists foster translational research with direct clinical relevance. This setting allows me to develop both experimental and computational skills while addressing clinically meaningful questions. Through my research, I aim to contribute to the identification of novel biomarkers and predictive models that can ultimately improve patient stratification and therapeutic decision-making in oncology.”
Mattia Tonani 2nd year PhD student at the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (IFOM), Milan 
“SEMM offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment. We are offered frequent scientific seminars and opportunities to attend international conferences, fostering continuous learning and exposure to the global research community. Daily support from supervisors and colleagues creates a stimulating and supportive atmosphere, encouraging open discussion and problem-solving. This highly interactive setting promotes innovation and enables PhD students to actively engage with diverse research topics and cutting-edge scientific approaches.”
Rosa Saurino3rd year PhD student at the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples 
“During my PhD, I have been able to expand beyond my original training and gain hands-on experience in new techniques and research areas. The program encourages open discussions and independence, allowing a lot of room for growth both scientifically and personally. Active collaborations across diverse research groups make it easy to exchange ideas and expertise. I have grown more independent and confident as a researcher.”
Sandini Garg2nd year PhD student at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genua 
“I’m a physician-scientist with a strong interest in tumor biology, fascinated by the use of multi-omics to unravel tumor complexity. I joined the SEMM PhD because it gave me the chance to build key experimental and analytical skills and to work on challenging translational research projects. At SEMM, I had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from passionate colleagues and the amazing people running the institute’s core facilities, who made ambitious ideas doable. Along the way, I also built lasting friendships and found a home away from home.”
Francesco Tucci4th year PhD student at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan 
“SEMM has provided me with an exceptional interdisciplinary environment, combining strong theoretical training with hands-on research and international collaboration. The program has allowed me to work at the intersection of biology, data science, and medicine, while interacting with a diverse scientific community. This experience has significantly strengthened my analytical skills and broadened my perspective on translational biomedical research.”
Muhammad Shah Zaib 2nd year PhD student at the University of Trento 
“SEMM PhD program enables me to dive deeply in scientific research while providing continuous learning in an open and supportive environment.
It offers a welcoming community where knowledge flows freely among mentors and peers. This open atmosphere fosters rapid professional growth, enhancing my technical skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for discovery. SEMM perfectly balances rigorous science with a collaborative setting, preparing me effectively for future challenges in research.”
Lucrezia Stabellini3rd year PhD student at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan 
“SEMM PhD programme allowed me to tailor my training by combining theoretical courses with practical modules aligned with my scientific interests. Through SEMM, I had the opportunity to attend international conferences, where I initiated important scientific collaborations. Equally valuable has been the strong sense of community, I met many fellow students with whom I am sharing the journey, scientific curiosity, doubts, and challenges. Throughout this path, I have always found a supportive and responsive network that continues to shape my growth as a researcher.”
Marta Molinari3rd year PhD student at the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples 
“I chose the SEMM PhD programme because it provides an international and interdisciplinary research environment. It allows me to interact with diverse research groups, access broad expertise, and shape my project across multiple institutions.
As part of my PhD, I gained international research experience as a visiting scholar at JPL–NASA, USA, and at the Vilnius University Life Sciences Center, Lithuania. These experiences strengthened my ability to collaborate across disciplines, adapt to new research environments, and approach complex biological questions from multiple perspectives”.
Bablu Kumar 4th year PhD student at University of Bari
" I am a PhD student in the Neurogenomics research centre at the Human Technopole research institute.
During my PhD I have access to top-notch infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities that strongly support cutting-edge research. The program has also exposed me to a vibrant and international network of collaborators, promoting daily scientific exchange across disciplines and institutions.
Working within this environment has allowed me to contribute to high-impact projects at the intersection of functional genomics and neurodevelopment.".
Manuel Lessi 3rd year PhD student at Human Technopole Working within this environment has allowed me to contribute to high-impact projects at the intersection of functional genomics and neurodevelopment.".
“SEMM provides a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, where close interactions with clinicians, biologists, and data scientists foster translational research with direct clinical relevance. This setting allows me to develop both experimental and computational skills while addressing clinically meaningful questions. Through my research, I aim to contribute to the identification of novel biomarkers and predictive models that can ultimately improve patient stratification and therapeutic decision-making in oncology”.
Mattia Tonani 2nd year PhD student at IFOM
“SEMM offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment. We are offered frequent scientific seminars and opportunities to attend international conferences, fostering continuous learning and exposure to the global research community. Daily support from supervisors and colleagues creates a stimulating and supportive atmosphere, encouraging open discussion and problem-solving. This highly interactive setting promotes innovation and enables PhD students to actively engage with diverse research topics and cutting-edge scientific approaches”.
Rosa Saurino3rd year PhD student at TIGEM
“During my PhD, I have been able to expand beyond my original training and gain hands-on experience in new techniques and research areas. The program encourages open discussions and independence, allowing a lot of room for growth both scientifically and personally. Active collaborations across diverse research groups make it easy to exchange ideas and expertise. I have grown more independent and confident as a researcher”.
Sandini Garg2nd year PhD student at the Italian Institute of Technology
“I’m a physician-scientist with a strong interest in tumor biology, fascinated by the use of multi-omics to unravel tumor complexity. I joined the SEMM PhD because it gave me the chance to build key experimental and analytical skills and to work on challenging translational research projects. At SEMM, I had the opportunity to work alongside and learn from passionate colleagues and the amazing people running the institute’s core facilities, who made ambitious ideas doable. Along the way, I also built lasting friendships and found a home away from home”.
Francesco Tucci4th year PhD student at European Institute of Oncology, Milan
“SEMM has provided me with an exceptional interdisciplinary environment, combining strong theoretical training with hands-on research and international collaboration. The program has allowed me to work at the intersection of biology, data science, and medicine, while interacting with a diverse scientific community. This experience has significantly strengthened my analytical skills and broadened my perspective on translational biomedical research”.
Shah Zaib 2nd year PhD student at the University of Trento
“SEMM PhD program enables me to dive deeply in scientific research while providing continuous learning in an open and supportive environment.
It offers a welcoming community where knowledge flows freely among mentors and peers. This open atmosphere fosters rapid professional growth, enhancing my technical skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for discovery. SEMM perfectly balances rigorous science with a collaborative setting, preparing me effectively for future challenges in research”.
Lucrezia Stabellini3rd PhD student at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan
“SEMM PhD programme allowed me to tailor my training by combining theoretical courses with practical modules aligned with my scientific interests. Through SEMM, I had the opportunity to attend international conferences, where I initiated important scientific collaborations. Equally valuable has been the strong sense of community, I met many fellow students with whom I am sharing the journey, scientific curiosity, doubts, and challenges. Throughout this path, I have always found a supportive and responsive network that continues to shape my growth as a researcher”.
Marta Molinari3rd PhD student at Thelethon Instiute of Genetics and Medicine, Naples
PhD Student Representatives
Each year, two PhD Student Representatives are elected for every cohort, forming a team of eight students who represent the entire PhD community. Elected by their peers, they serve as a bridge between students and SEMM leadership, voicing ideas, concerns, and proposals to enhance the training experience.
In addition to advocacy, the representatives coordinate and supervise scientific and social initiatives, helping to shape a cohesive and connected community across SEMM’s institutes. Their leadership ensures that the student perspective actively contributes to the development and evolution of the School.
Saket
Bhargava
Federico
Lazzarini
Lucrezia
Stabellini
3rd year PhD student
European Institute of Oncology, Milan
lucrezia.stabellini@ieo.it
Our current numbers
Currently enrolled
0
International students
0
%
Life sciences background
0
%
Hard sciences background
0
%
Health sciences background
0
%
Our Graduates
Graduates on time:
80%
Completion rate
93%
Our Alumni
Italy
USA
EU
Other
A global Alumni network
SEMM graduates build careers across borders, contributing to a truly international scientific community. Today, our alumni are advancing research and innovation in Italy, across Europe, in the United States, and around the world.
Italy
USA
EU
Other
Where Our Alumni
Make an Impact
Make an Impact
Nearly 70% of our graduates advance into research careers, joining leading institutes, universities, hospitals, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies around the world as postdoctoral fellows and research scientists.
15% have already advanced to leadership positions, including:
- 30 Principal Investigators
- 11 leaders in pharmaceutical and biotech companies
- 7 alumni in prominent academic roles
Our alumni don’t just participate in research — they lead it!
Hospitals
Research
Institutes
Universities
Pharma/biotech
Hospitals
Research Institutes
Universities
Pharma/biotech
Diverse Career Paths
Not all careers remain at the bench — our training opens doors far beyond the lab.
10% of our alumni pursue research-related roles outside traditional research, including clinical trials, science communication, and research support positions such as grants and scientific program management.
Another 20% move into consulting, regulatory affairs, and business or technology transfer, applying their expertise to strategy, policy, and innovation.
They continue to shape the scientific landscape from new angles and at every level.
Research-related jobs
Clinical
Trials
Trials
Research Support
Scientific Communication
Clinical
Trials
Scientific Communication
Research / Support
Other paths
Commercial / Business
Regulatory / Quality
Medical Affair
Commercial / Business
Medical
affair