Governing Board

President of the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes since 8 July 2026.

Venerando Marano, Full Professor in academic disciplinary group GIUR-07/A Law and Religion (formerly IUS 11, Canon Law and Ecclesiastical Law), has served as Director of the Department of Law and Pro-Rector for Regulatory Review and Institutional Relations at the University of Rome Tor Vergata since 2021.
He has been a member of the Academic Senate of the University of Rome Tor Vergata since 3 December 2020 (D.R. No. 2131/2020, D.R. No. 117/2022, D.R. No. 3784/2024), within which he serves as Chair of the Committee on Statutory and Regulatory Affairs.
He is a member of the University Committee for the Proper Implementation of the Quality Assurance System.
He is Coordinator of the Study programme leading to a single-cycle master’s degree in Law (LMG01).
He served as President of the Disciplinary Board of the University of Rome Tor Vergata for two consecutive terms.
He served as a member of the Committee responsible for assessing amendments to the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

As regards his involvement in leading national and international academic and professional associations, he is a member of:

• the Governing Board of the Consociatio Internationalis Studio Iuris Canonici Promovendo, which seeks to advance and disseminate the study of canon law and State law relating to the Catholic Church and other Churches and ecclesial communities;
• the Association of University Lecturers in the Legal Regulation of Religion (ADEC).

He holds numerous positions with leading specialist journals and academic book series.
In particular, he is Scientific Director of the “Vatican Law” section of the journal Diritto e religioni, published by Pellegrini Editore.
With regard to scientific and editorial boards:

• he is a member of the Scientific Committee of the book series published by the Department of Law of the University of Brescia;
• he is a member of the Scientific Committee of the journal Il Carabiniere, published by the Arma dei Carabinieri.

He has served as a peer reviewer for leading national specialist journals and academic book series.

At other higher education institutions, he has served as a member of:

• the Management Committee of the Advanced Training Course in Management of Ecclesiastical Bodies and the Advanced Training Course in Management of Catholic Healthcare Facilities at the Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta (LUMSA);
• the Governing Board of the Centre for Studies on Ecclesiastical Bodies (CESEN) at Università Cattolica.

He has also undertaken institutional activities outside the university sector, holding numerous senior positions in the field of State–Church relations, and currently serves as President of the Vatican Court of First Instance.

His particularly extensive and distinguished scholarly output focuses primarily on current issues concerning relations between the State and religious denominations and the European dimension of the legal regulation of religion; family law, with specific reference to the development of the institution of marriage and civil unions and the related recognition and protection of civil rights; fundamental rights of the individual within religious legal systems, with particular reference to the recognition and protection of social formations of an associative nature; and the development of legislation on personal data protection within both the national and European Union legal systems.
He has taken part, as chair and speaker, in numerous major national and international conferences on ecclesiastical and canon law, organised and promoted in both academic and institutional settings.

Vice President and member of the Governing Board of the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes since 8 July 2026.

Main qualifications, career milestones and achievements:

• Research Fellow at Cornell University, Departments of Horticultural Sciences and Plant Pathology, New York, USA (1990–1994).
• Researcher (1994), Associate Professor (2000), and Full Professor (2006), first in Biochemistry and subsequently in Plant Pathology – Area 07 – AGR/12.
• Director of the Department of Arboriculture, Botany and Plant Pathology at the University of Naples Federico II.
• Director of the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II (two terms, until his election as Rector, for a total of approximately six years).
• Rector of the University of Naples Federico II (2020–2026).
• President of the Agritech Foundation and Head of the HUB for the Agritech National Research Center (National Research Center for the Technology in Agriculture), one of the five National Centres funded under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) (2023–present).
  CRUI Delegate for the post-NRRP phase (current).
• Other academic positions held at the University of Naples Federico II include: President of the School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine; member of the Academic Senate (as representative of Full Professors and subsequently as representative of Department Directors) for eight years; co-coordinator of the Statute and Regulations Committee; President of the Doctoral School in Agricultural and Food Sciences; member of the Scientific Committee of the Quality Assurance Board; Director of the PhD Programme in Agrobiology and Agrochemistry; President of the Degree Programmes in Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences; Coordinator of the Biology and Protection of Agricultural and Forestry Systems Section of the Department of Agricultural Sciences; Erasmus Delegate for the Faculty of Agriculture; and other academic positions.

International roles and recognition related to his scientific profile:

Fulbright Research Fellow (1997) and Lecturer (CIES Fellow) at several US universities, including Cornell University, Auburn University and Texas A&M University; OECD Fellow (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and Visiting Professor at the Vienna University of Technology and at the Institute of Chemistry of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava (1995); Scientific Delegate for UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) (2010–2013) for activities in Central America; expert with the EU-OECD BioPesticides Steering Group (2015); member of the International Commission on the Taxonomy of Fungi (ICTF) of the IUMS (International Union of Microbiological Societies); member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (2007–2014); member of an advisory committee to the US Presidency on Global Food Security for the American Society for Microbiology (2012); member of the Scientific Committee of the National Biotechnology Center in Tripoli, Libya (2006); Senior Editor and Associate Editor of international journals in the field with high impact factors, including Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions, Phytopathology, The Open Proteomic Journal, Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment, IS-MPMI Reporter, among others.

Additional international recognition and honorary titles:

Honorary Degree in Science and Technology (2025) from the Universidad Mayor, Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca (the oldest university in Bolivia); Honorary Degree (2025) from Sokhumi State University, Georgia; Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society (2007); recipient of the Escudo de Armas Award of the City of Sucre, Bolivia (Municipal Decree No. 48 of 2025); member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2014).

National roles and recognition related to his scientific profile:

President of the Italian Society for Plant Pathology (2020–2023); elected member of the Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL (2021–present); Full Member of the Accademia dei Georgofili (2018–present); member of the National Society of Sciences, Letters and Arts in Naples (2020–present); member of the Accademia Pontaniana (2024–present); member of the Scientific Committee of the EU PRIMA project, involving 20 member countries from the Mediterranean region; Honorary Member of the Italian Society for Plant Pathology (2025–present).

Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Honorary Citizenship awarded by the Municipality of Pellezzano (Salerno); Meritorious Member of the Italian Carabinieri Association.

National and international awards for activities in higher education and research and for the standing, independence, breadth and prestige of his scientific profile:

International “Guido Dorso” Award; Venice International Grand Prix – Golden Lion for Professional Merit; Arciello City of Portici Award; Capo d’Orlando Award, Science and Food category; Euro-Mediterranean Award of the Accademia Ercolanese; Carlo Pisacane International Award; Carlo Levi International Award; Italian Excellence Award, National Press Club, Washington, DC; Poseidonia Paestum International Award; Armando Curcio Award; Gian Battista Vico Award; SBARRO Institute Award; Contursi Terme Award; Assotutela European Excellence Award; Caduceo d’Oro Culture Award of the Order of Pharmacists; Meronis International Award; Voce di Napoli Award – Formare il Futuro; In Vino Veritas MAVV Museum Award; Lions Clubs International Lifetime Achievement Award; Pianeta Mare Award; Oro Italy Award; Neapolis 2500 Award; Eccellenza Partenopea Napoli Made Award; Ambassador Award Convention Bureau; Le Mani di Napoli Award; Lions Literary Award; University Education Award, Circolo Posillipo Napoli; Ambasciatori del Sole Award; Due Principati Award; Per Sempre Scugnizzo Award; Ateneapoli Special Award; Eruzioni del Gusto Award; Excelenta Ovidious Award, Universitatea Ovidious; Lions Internationals Licterae Generalis Award; Who’s Who in Science and Engineering 2002; AMIRA Progress Award; Cuore Sportivo Award 2026; and other awards.

Scientific output and current scientific standing

Author of hundreds of publications and approximately 20 patents (or patent applications), including international ones. He has been invited to approximately 300 congresses, conferences, scientific meetings and science communication events as a speaker, chair, expert, discussant, etc., in Italy and, above all, abroad.

He is considered one of the researchers who have contributed most significantly to the development of new biological control techniques for plant diseases, resulting in a reduction in the use of synthetic chemical products in agriculture. He is the inventor of biopesticides and biofertilisers registered and used in many countries. Throughout his career, he has coordinated an international research laboratory with more than 20 staff members.

Current Google Scholar bibliometric indicators: approximately 33,000 citations (approximately 11,500 since 2021); h-index: 80 (52 since 2021); i10-index: 167 (122 since 2021).

He has been included in Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists list.

He has carried out scientific and/or teaching activities in approximately 20 different countries. He is and has been the holder of dozens of research projects awarded through competitive calls and funded by national and international organisations, serving as coordinator, Principal Investigator (PI), research unit coordinator, or in equivalent roles.

In addition, Prof. Matteo Lorito has served as:

Coordinator of the Periodic Evaluation Committee for Research, Development, Artistic and Creative Activities of the Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Slovak Republic, for Agricultural, Veterinary and Forestry Sciences. The evaluation system is equivalent to that of ANVUR.

Member of a US advisory committee on agricultural research aimed at reducing the use of chemicals, within the American Society for Microbiology’s Global Food Security programme. The outcome of this work was published and presented to President Obama (2012).

Member of the Scientific Committee of the National Biotechnology Center in Tripoli, Libya.

Scientific Delegate for UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) for the implementation of strategies aimed at reducing the use of methyl bromide.

Expert evaluator for European projects, for foreign universities such as the Vienna University of Technology, for the US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD), as well as for Italy’s PRIN programme, research departments of several Italian regional authorities, and other organisations and programmes.

Member of the Italian National Scientific Qualification (ASN) Committee for Competition Sector 07/D1 – Plant Pathology and Entomology (Area 07 – Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences).

Member of the Governing Board of the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes since 8 July 2026.

A graduate in Modern Humanities with a specialization in art history, awarded with honours, she also obtained—again with honours—a Postgraduate Diploma in Medieval and Modern Art History and a PhD in Historical Disciplines of Medieval, Modern and Contemporary Art, with a focus on the history and criticism of the visual arts in Southern Italy (6th cycle), from the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Naples Federico II.

A scholar of contemporary art and of Italy’s higher artistic education institutions, her academic and institutional work has developed along several complementary lines: art-historical research; the conservation and restoration of contemporary and public art; the safeguarding of the tangible and intangible heritage of higher artistic education institutions; and the relationship between art and design.

She has published essays and monographs and has curated awards, exhibitions, books and conferences on art history, collecting, design, and the conservation of cultural heritage and design objects. Particularly noteworthy are the 2013 conference Patrimoni da svelare per le Arti del Futuro and the volume Accademie / Patrimoni di Belle Arti (Gangemi, Rome, 2013 and 2016).

She taught at the Academies of Fine Arts in Venice from 1989 to 1991 and Bologna from 1999 to 2005. Since 1991, she has taught Contemporary Art History and Issues in the Conservation of Contemporary Art at the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples. She served as its Deputy Director from 2005 to 2007 and, from 2007 to 2013, as its first woman Director. In Naples, she expanded the Academy’s entire educational offering and enhanced its heritage through the opening of the Plaster Cast Gallery in 2007, of which she has continued to serve as curator; the installation of casts of the Parthenon Frieze in the new Great Hall in 2011; the reopening of the “Anna Caputi” Library and its integration into the library network in 2009; and the renovation of the “Antonio Niccolini” Theatre.

From 2006 to 2026, she served as Scientific Director for the protection and conservation of the artworks in the Naples Art Metro, Lines 1 and 6, one of the largest public art projects of its kind. She was Extraordinary Commissioner of the Academy of Fine Arts of L’Aquila in 2014 and of the National Academy of Dance in 2015. From 2016 to 2022, she was President of ISIA Faenza, where, among other initiatives, she oversaw the opening of the “Bruno Munari” Design Library. From 2019, she also served as President of the Conference of ISIA Presidents and Directors.

Since 2013, she has coordinated, on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research within the AFAM sector, the technical working group of Restoration Schools responsible for the award of the professional qualification of cultural heritage restorer, as well as the working group dedicated to safeguarding the heritage of the Academies of Fine Arts. From 2015 to 2021, she was a member of the joint Ministry of Culture–Ministry of Universities and Research Commission responsible for overseeing schools authorised to award the professional qualification of cultural heritage restorer.

She has chaired the Evaluation Committees of the Academies of Fine Arts in Verona, Bologna, Ravenna, Genoa and Naples; ISIA Florence and ISIA Rome; and the Conservatories of Genoa and Salerno.

On behalf of ANVUR, the Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes, she served on the Commission of Senior Evaluation Experts for the initial and periodic accreditation of programmes in Higher Artistic, Musical and Choreutic Education. She is included in all ANVUR registers of experts for the AFAM sector. She is a member of the Scientific Committee of IGIIC, the Italian Group of the International Institute for Conservation, and of the editorial boards of academic journals including Zeusi and CoRes, as well as of book series published by Edifir in Florence.

She coordinated the Restoration School of the Academy of Fine Arts of Naples until July 2026 and, since 2024, has coordinated the Conservation, Restoration and Enhancement of Cultural Heritage curriculum within the Naples-based PhD programme of national interest.

In 2022, she was elected to CNAM, the National Council for Higher Artistic and Musical Education, and from June 2023 to July 2026 she served as its President. From 2023 to 2025, she coordinated the joint Ministry of Culture–Ministry of Universities and Research working group on AFAM heritage.

On 20 September 2024, she was appointed by Minister Anna Maria Bernini as a member of the working group tasked with supporting the Minister through the analysis, study and development of proposals concerning the reform of recruitment procedures and the quality of educational provision; the organisation and governance of university and research evaluation; and the revision of the relevant institutional structure and operations.

Since 2023, she has also been a member of the joint MUR–CNAM–ANVUR working group for the assessment of research quality in AFAM institutions. From June 2025 to July 2026, she served as President of ISIA Roma Design.

Member of the Governing Board of the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes since 8 July 2026.

Francesco Priolo has been a Member of the ANVUR Board of Directors since July 2026. He graduated in Physics in 1985 and spent extensive research periods at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill (NJ, USA). .Full Professor of Experimental Condensed Matter Physics since 2001, he served as Rector of the University of Catania (2019-2025), President of the Regional Committee of Sicilian Universities (CRUS), and Vice President, Executive Board Member, and Research Delegate of the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI).

He was also President of the European Materials Research Society in Strasbourg, a Member of the Research & Innovation Strategic Group at the European University Association (EUA), a Member of the European Research Council Panels in Brussels for PE3 Advanced Grants, and a Member of the GEV for Area 02 during the first VQR 2004-2010 (chaired by Giorgio Parisi). Furthermore, he served as President of the Micro and Nanosystems Technological District, President of the Scuola Superiore of the University of Catania, Director of the "Ettore Majorana" Department of Physics and Astronomy at Unict, and Director and founder of the MATIS Research and Development Center of the INFM, established through a competitive call and subsequently merged into the CNR as an Operational Unit of the IMM Institute. 

For over six years, he was a PhD program coordinator as well as the supervisor of around thirty doctoral students. A member of numerous national and international scientific committees and coordinator of countless research projects, he served as Editor of Applied Physics A (Springer) and is currently on the Editorial Board of Applied Physics Reviews (American Institute of Physics). His primary research fields include nanotechnology and materials for electronics, photonics, and photovoltaics. In these areas, he has authored over 500 publications in international scientific journals, receiving more than 16,000 citations, with an H-index of 58 (source: Web of Science). He is a Member of the Italian Physical Society, a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, a Member of the Academia Europaea, and a Member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. 

Member of the Governing Board of the National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes since 8 July 2026.