Key Initiatives
International seminar
SEMM hosts a rich seminar program that includes both International Seminars and a PhD Seminar Series, offering students and faculty regular opportunities to engage with leading scientists and cutting-edge research in biomedicine.
The International Seminar Series brings internationally recognized experts to SEMM to present advances in their fields, exposing the community to emerging scientific directions and fostering professional exchange.
The PhD Seminar Series, organized by and for PhD students and open to the entire SEMM community, is designed to broaden scientific perspectives and strengthen peer-to-peer learning. A distinctive feature of this series is the student-led journal club held with each invited speaker—reserved for PhD students—providing an informal setting for in-depth discussion, critical thinking, and meaningful interaction within an international research environment.
PhD retreat
The PhD Retreat is a biannual event entirely coordinated and supervised by PhD students. From selecting the venue and managing logistics to shaping the scientific program and planning networking activities, students lead every aspect of this initiative.
Because the SEMM community is spread across multiple cities in Italy—including Milan, Naples, Turin, Trento, and Bari—the retreat offers a rare and valuable opportunity for all students to come together in one place. It strengthens connections across institutes, fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, and creates space for informal scientific exchange.
Typically held over two days in a hotel located in a different city each time, often outside the SEMM network, the retreat provides a relaxed and neutral environment for discussion and community building.
Designed by students and for students, it embodies the collaborative spirit of SEMM and reinforces a strong sense of belonging within a geographically diverse community.
Roundtables
International meetings
SEMM promotes and supports a wide range of international meetings, including workshops, conferences, and summer schools, all designed with students at the center. These events foster international networking, strengthen the SEMM PhD community, and encourage scientific exchange across disciplines and institutions. In addition, SEMM actively supports scientific events and initiatives organized by faculty, reinforcing a collaborative and dynamic academic culture.