International PhD Academy
VIU Global Challenges Initiative
September 27 – October 1, 2021
Plastics are an important material in our economy, and modern daily life is unthinkable without them. The production of new plastic products since the Second World War revolutionized in a positive way all fields of human activities: medicine, aerospace, transport, health, and everyday life.
At the same time, however, plastic materials can have serious downsides for the environment and health.
Today, single-use plastics account for 40 percent of the plastic produced every year. Half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years. Production increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to 448 million tons by 2018. Production is expected to double by 2050. Within these values, every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations and this has generated many plastic islands. All marine animals are negatively impacted by plastic pollution because they eat it and they remain trapped in plastic bags and other objects. Furthermore, plastics often contain additives to make them stronger, more flexible, and durable, but this results in a material that needs many (from one hundred to a thousand) years to degrade and which releases micro-plastics to the environment during the process.
The goal of this PhD Academy is to facilitate learning, discussion, and the exchange of ideas to address the challenging issues in Plastic Pollution and how science is working to solve this problem.
This PhD Academy will be led by:
- Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy
- University of Padova, Italy
- Tel Aviv University, Israel
Faculty
Emanuela Gatto, Tor Vergata University of Rome
Luisa Campagnolo, Tor Vergata University of Rome
Mariano Venanzi, Tor Vergata University of Rome
Valentina Modesti, Contaminaction Hub, Tor Vergata University of Rome
Michele Modesti, University of Padova
Alessandra Lorenzetti, University of Padova
Alessandro Manzardo, University of Padova
Alexander Golberg, Tel Aviv University
Topics
- Plastic materials and plastic pollution
- State of the art of plastic recycling
- Recent advances in synthesis and characterization of new bioplastic materials and their applications
- Laboratories
The Academy also includes a parallel program of training in selected Transversal Skills to support the development of your career in research, as well as poster sessions for the participants to present their PhD research projects.
Who can apply?
This PhD Academy is offered to PhD students, Post-doc and young researchers in Natural sciences & Technology, or any other discipline related to Material Science.
This PhD Academy is a postponed Spring 2021 activity. Applications are currently closed, however, should any places become available, a new call for applications will be opened.
For further information: please download the Brochure and the Program or write to: phdacademy@univiu.org
As the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, VIU will continue to monitor the situation. Should the COVID-19 situation prevent international travel or the confirmation of the program on campus as scheduled, the activity will be moved online. Applicants and confirmed participants will be informed of any changes.
