Feb. 4, 2015 | Claudio Bisogniero, Italy’s ambassador to the United States, and Italian Consul General to Houston Elena Sgarbi visited the main campus of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to meet with administrators, researchers and clinicians as part of a four-state tour to promote business, cultural and scientific ties with Italy.

 “I’m very pleased the ambassador and consul chose to make our institution part of their visit. UAMS is a multicultural place. We employ, educate and treat people from countries all over the world, Italy among them,” said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.

Following a visit with the chancellor, which also included a chance to speak with Gareth Morgan, M.D., director of the Myeloma Institute, Bisogniero was offered a tour of different areas of campus, including the Psychiatric Research Institute, the UAMS Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit and the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.

The ambassador and the consul were also introduced to Italian faculty and staff members. The tour was guided by Roy Morello, Ph.D., associate professor of physiology and biophysics. Others attending were Maurizio Zangari, M.D., of the Myeloma Institute; Giulia Baldini, Ph.D., from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the College of Medicine; Marilina Piemontese, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow; Milena Dimori, D.V.M., a research technician; and Michela Palmieri, a research assistant.

While in Arkansas, the ambassador also met with Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of State Mark Martin. His U.S. visit included stops in Alabama, Oklahoma and Kentucky.