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Giovanni Comelli Appointed President of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste


Giovanni Comelli portrait

Giovanni Comelli
Photo Courtesy of University of Trieste
 
Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste enters a new phase in its history with the appointment of Professor Giovanni Comelli as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The appointment was formalized on 26 May by the Shareholders’ Assembly.

Comelli was designated as a member of the new Board by the Italian Minister of Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini, who conveyed her best wishes for his new role. Full Professor of Experimental Physics of Matter and Applications at the University of Trieste, Comelli has a longstanding connection with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, having served on the Board of Directors from 2005 to 2014, including as Vice President from 2006 to 2014, before rejoining the Board for the 2023–2026 term.

The appointment comes at a key moment for the research centre, as activities continue on Elettra 2.0, the major technological upgrade of the facility that will lead to the restart of the accelerator in 2027 and the activation of new beamlines for the international scientific community. In parallel, work is also progressing on the “Green Energy” project, aimed at developing a photovoltaic park in the Cava Scoria area.
 

The new Board of Directors appointed by the Shareholders is composed of:
Giovanni Comelli – University of Trieste
Anna Gregorio – University of Trieste
Caterina Vozzi – National Research Council (CNR)
Giorgio Rossi – University of Milan
Paolo Valente – INFN Rome Division

The new Board of Statutory Auditors has also been appointed and is composed of Gianpaolo Graberi (President), Francesco Battaglia, Sara Rossi, Gabriella Magurano and Pietro Coluzzi, with Vittorio Pella and Paola Rodighiero serving as alternate auditors.

Comelli succeeds Professor Alfonso Franciosi, who concludes more than twenty years of leadership at the company, overseeing the growth of Elettra into one of the world’s leading research infrastructures and contributing to the development of strategic projects such as FERMI, Elettra 2.0 and Green Energy.

The appointment of the new President has been warmly welcomed by scientific and regional institutions. Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, highlighted the strategic value of continuity and the international outlook represented by the new governance. Regional Councillors Alessia Rosolen and Barbara Zilli reaffirmed the importance of Elettra as a strategic scientific infrastructure for the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Federico Boscherini and Donata Vianelli also expressed their appreciation for an appointment seen as fully aligned with the laboratory’s path of scientific excellence.

The full press release is available in the attached document. pdf
 
Last Updated on Thursday, 28 May 2026 16:28