Profile
General Surgeon and Digestive Endoscopists for operative procedures, mainly dedicated to clinical activity, with an academic role and deeply involved in several research projects sponsored by the European Commission and private companies.
Experience
Academic researcher, University of Tuebingen, Germany - 1997 - 1999
Academic researcher / scientist at the Section for Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Eberhart Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany, Dir. Prof. Med. Gerhard Buess, pioneer of endoscopic surgery. There he learned tips and tricks of laparoscopy and was educated to Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery directly from the inventor as mentor. Tuebingen was also an unique environment to be introduced to an international top level research activity, mainly in the field of development of new technologies. In order to report results of research activities he learned how to write a scientific paper, producing in few years a consistent number of relevant papers in international journals.
Assistant surgeon, Asl 1 Liguria, Italy - 1999 - 2004
where he consolidated experience in endoscopic surgery with more than a thousand procedures, including emergencies. There he established a new Dept. of Digestive Endoscopy, training colleagues and nurses. At the same time he performed about 20.000 ultra-sound exams.
Assistant surgeon, Evangelic International Hospital, Genoa, Italy - 2004 - 2007
where he leaded the Dept. of Endoscopic Surgery with more than a thousand procedures, including emergencies. He participated to the activity of the Service of Digestive Endoscopy, mainly performing operative procedures, such as difficult polypectomies, mucosectomies (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESD), bleeding control by bipolar coagulation or Ovesco clip application and stenting for unresectable esophageal and colorectal cancers. At the same time he performed another 10.000 ultra-sound exams.
Assistant professor of surgery, University of Turin, Italy - 2007 - 2014
where, at the Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Dir. Prof. Mario Morino, pioneer of endoscopic surgery, he is covering a special role for Endoscopic Surgery. Till now he performed more than a thousand procedures, mainly colorectal surgery, open, laparoscopic and transanal, including emergencies. He is considered an international leader in the field of proctology and Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery. Other fields of interest and clinical activity are gall bladder and biliary tract, liver, stomach and esophago-gastric junction, spleen, small bowel, adrenal glands. He is participating to the activity of the Service of Digestive Endoscopy, mainly performing operative procedures, such as difficult polypectomies, mucosectomies (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissections (ESD), bleeding control by band ligation, glue injection, sclerosis agents injection or Ovesco clip application and stenting for unresectable esophageal and colorectal cancers, even when obstructing the bowel. He was regularly on duty as a senior fellow in the Emergency room.
Associate professor of surgery, University of Turin, Italy - 2014 - today
where, he is continuing the work at the Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Dir. Prof. Mario Morino, in Endoscopic Surgery, Colorectal Surgery, Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery and Operative Digestive Endoscopy. He was regularly on duty as a senior fellow in the Emergency room.
Academic
Academic researcher, University of Tuebingen, Germany - 1997 - 1999
where he worked as Faculty and Tutor of the courses of Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery and Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery at the Training Center, Dir. Prof. Med. Gerhard Buess.
Assistant professor of surgery, University of Turin, Italy - 2007 - 2014
where, at the Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Dir. Prof. Mario Morino, he is Teacher of Emergency Surgery at the VI year of the School of Medicine, since his settlement. Similarly he is teacher and tutor of courses at the School of Surgery, such as Scientific English, Surgical Anatomy and Digestive Surgery. He is the Vice-Coordinator of the PhD Course in Technology Applied to Surgical Sciences, a 3 years international course training surgeons of different specialties to research activity in novel technology development. He is Faculty and Tutor of the II Level University Master course in Advanced Laparoscopy for MDs. He is Coordinator, Faculty and Tutor of the II Level University Master course in Operative Digestive Endoscopy for MDs. He is Coordinator, Faculty and Tutor of the I Level University Master course in Digestive Endoscopy for nurses. Since 1.11.08 he was qualified as Aggregate Professor of Surgery.
Associate professor of surgery, University of Turin, Italy - 2014 - today
where, he is continuing the work at the Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Dir. Prof. Mario Morino, as Teacher of Emergency Surgery at the VI year of the School of Medicine, since his settlement. Similarly he is teacher and tutor of courses at the School of Surgery, such as Scientific English, Surgical Anatomy and Digestive Surgery. He is the Vice-Coordinator of the PhD Course in Technology Applied to Surgical Sciences, a 3 years international course training surgeons of different specialties to research activity in novel technology development. He is Faculty and Tutor of the II Level University Master course in Advanced Laparoscopy for MDs. He is Coordinator, Faculty and Tutor of the II Level University Master course in Operative Digestive Endoscopy for MDs. He is Coordinator, Faculty and Tutor of the I Level University Master course in Digestive Endoscopy for nurses.
Research
- in 1997 discussed a PhD thesis on robotics and positioning systems for endoscopic surgery at the University of Tuebingen, at the end of a technology development of several prototypes in partnership with the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center (Germany) named ARTEMIS (7 DoF robot manipulator), FIPS (4 DoF remote controlled optic positioning system) and TISKA (4 DoF passive retractor positioning system) later acquired by Karl Storz Endoskope (Tuttlingen) for further development and marketing
- since 1997 partner of several different projects in the field of flexible endoscopy with Boston Scientific, Microvasive Endoscopy (Boston, MA, USA) on endoluminal GERD treatment, colonic large polyps resection, endoluminal clips and stapling
- 1997-1999 main investigator of a research project on robotics in endoscopic surgery with Karl Storz Endoskope GmbH (Tuttlingen, Germany)
- 1997-1999 coordinator of a Research Project on Gastro Esophageal Reflux with Willy Ruesch GmbH (Kernen, Germany)
- since 1999 coordinator of a Research Project on robotics in endoscopic surgery with the National Forschung Zentrum Karlsruhe and Innomedic company (Germany)
- since 2003 partner of OVESCO GmbH, (Tuebingen, Germany) for the 2test and clinical employment of a new large nitinol clip for flexible endoscopy.
- from 1.12.01 to 30.11.03 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project named CLEANTEST on Cleaning, sterilization and design of instruments for endoscopic surgery sponsored by the European Community within the V TMR (FP5).
- from 1.3.2002 Consultant for Boston Scientific Microvasive Endoscopy (Boston, MA, USA)
- since 1.9.2003 Consultant for Ethicon Endosurgery (Johnson & Johnson Medical) Italy
- 2003 - 2005 Consultant for Bbraun Aesculap (Tuttlingen, Germany) for the development and clinical trial of ENDOFREEZE (4 DoF passive retractor positioning system)
- since 1.5.2005 Consultant for Johnson & Johnson Medical Europe, Inscope Division
- since 1.09.06 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project named VECTOR on development of a robotic capsule for GI endoscopy sponsored by the European Community, sponsored by the European Community within the VI TMR (FP6) for a total of 9.700.000 euros of contribution.
- since 2006 partner of several different projects in the field of flexible endoscopy with NOVINEON GmbH (Tuebingen, Germany) with special regards to Endoluminal Flexible Surgery and NOTES.
- since 1.3.09 Coordinator of the ESCO-study (Endoscopic Stenting for Colonic Obstruction), international multicenter randomized controlled trial sponsored by the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (www.escostudy.zapto.org)
- since 1.09.2009 Consultant for Johnson & Johnson Medical Europe, Titan project
- since 1.4.2010 Consultant for Bbraun Aesculap, (Tuttlingen, Germany)
- since 1.6.2011 Coordinator of the MUSIC-study (MULTI-PORT VS. SINGLE-PORT CHOLECYSTECTOMY), international multicenter randomized controlled trial sponsored by the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery with a research grant of 50.000 euros (www.music.world.it)
- since 1.09.2011 Consultant for Johnson & Johnson Medical USA, Gemini project
- since 1.10.2011 Coordinator of the Polymeric films and magnetic forces for gallbladder retraction during a fully translumenal cholecystectomy sponsored by the EURONOTES FOUNDATION with a research grant of 20.000 euros
- since 1.1.2012 partner of an international consortium for a Research Project named STIFF-FLOP on STIFFness controllable Flexible and Learn-able Manipulator for surgical OPerations sponsored by the European Community within the VII TMR (FP7), as scientific responsible both for the University of Turin and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery, for a total of 7.350.000 euros of contribution.
- since 1.3.2012 Coordinator of the TEMENDO-study (Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery vs. ENDOscopic Submucosal Dissection for large rectal adenomas), international multicenter randomized controlled trial sponsored by the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (www.temendo.zapto.org)
- partner of an international consortium for a Research Project named INSTINCT on INtellingent SysTem for sINgle-site laparo-endoscopiC surgical roboT submitted to the European Community for sponsorship within the VII TMR (FP7), as scientific responsible both for the University of Turin and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery
- partner of an international consortium for a Research Project named ROCCOCO on Robotic Catheterisation through COgnition, reCOnfiguration and COoperative COntrol submitted to the European Community for sponsorship within the VII TMR (FP7), as scientific responsible both for the University of Turin and the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery
Scientific Societies activity
He is currently member of
- UEG, United European Gastroenterology
- EAES, European Association for Endoscopic Surgery
- SMIT, Society for Medical Innovation and Technology
- ESCP, European Society for ColoProctology
- ESGE, European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- ASGE, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- ECTA, Eurasian Colorectal Technology Association
- EATS, European Association for Translumenal Surgery
- SICE, Italian Society for Endoscopic Surgery
- SIED, Italian Society for Digestive Endoscopy
- SICCR, Italian Society for ColoRectal Surgery
- SICTECA, Italian Society of Technologic and Computer Assisted Surgery
He is member of the UEG Education Task Force
He is member of the UEG Future Trends Committee
He is member of Technology Committee of the EAES
He is member of the Board of the SMIT
He is coordinator of the EURONOTES Clinical Registry (www.euronotes.world.it)
He is responsible of the ECTA website (www.ectamed.org)
He is responsible of the SIED website (www.sied.it)
He is responsible of the SICCR videolibrary (www.siccr.org)
He is responsible of the SICCR Laparoscopy and Endoscopy Section
Journals activity
He was former Assistant Editor of the Journal Techniques in Coloproctology, Springer Verlag Ed., official journal of ECTA and SICCR, IF 1.53
He is currently member of the Editorial Board of Surgical Endoscopy, Springer Verlag Ed., official journal of SAGES & EAES, IF 4.01
He is currently member of the Editorial Board of Minimally Invasive Therapy and Allied Technologies (MITAT), Taylor & Francis Ed., official journal of SMIT, IF 1.01
He is currently member of the Editorial Board of UEG Journal, SAGE, official journal of UEG
He is reviewer of the Journals:
- Annals of Surgery
- Endoscopy
- British Journal of Surgery
- Surgical Endoscopy
- World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (WJGE)
- Techniques in Coloproctology
- Minimally Invasive Therapy and Allied Technologies (MITAT)
Education
- University of Genoa, Italy - Degree Medical School cum laude 1992
- University of Genoa, Italy - Degree School of Surgery cum laude 1997
- University of Tuebingen, Germany - PhD in General Surgery cum laude 1997
Prizes
- 1991 & 1992 Fellowship of the Italian Secretariat of Students in Medicine (SISM)
- 1993 Prize "Ettore Ruggeri" of the Italian Society of Surgery (SIC)
- 1996 Fellowship of the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)
- 1998 Prize of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)
- 1999 Prize City of San Remo, for a Lecture on Coloproctology
- 1999 Research Fellowship of Karl Storz Endoskope, for a study on robotics
- 1999 Prize "Paride Stefanini" of the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE)
- 2010 Research Grant of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)
- 2010 Research Grant of the EURONOTES Foundation
- 2011 Prize of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)
- 2012 Premio Made in Research, dell’Incubatore Università Impresa della Università di Torino
- 2012 Prize of the Technology Committee of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)
- 2012 Olympus Prize of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)
- 2012 Prize Life Sciences - Italian Venture Capitalist FORUM
Stages, Congresses and Courses
- 13 Stages, 8 in foreign departments
- 198 Congresses, 91 International
- 70 Courses, 20 International
Publications & Lectures
- 133 journal publications on Scopus
- 150 Abstract to International Congresses, only since 2008
- 152 Lectures at International Congresses
- 13 Video presentations to International Congresses
- 2 International Seminars
- 4 International patents
International Patents
· A miniature robotic device applicable to a flexible endoscope for the surgical dissection of gastro-intestinal tract surface neoplasms (WO 2014147556 A1)
· A connecting device for creating an anastomosis between a hollow organ and a conduit (WO 2013004263 A1)
· A device for translumenal diversion of bile (WO 2012007044 A1)
· System and method for modifying the location at which biliopancreatic secretions interact with the gastrointestinal tract (WO 2012007050 A1)
Interests
New Technologies for Endoscopic Surgery and Flexible Endoscopy
Torino, January 1st 2016