Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation - DIMIT

The Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation (DiMIT), established in 2023, is a multidisciplinary hub focused on the integration of biomedical sciences, advanced technologies, social sciences and ethics, with the aim of promoting individual and collective health and wellbeing.

In line with the University Strategic Plan, the Department carries out its activities across the three core areas of education, scientific research and knowledge valorisation. Its educational offering, characterised by an interdisciplinary and innovative approach, includes degree programmes, postgraduate medical schools, Master’s programmes and, from 2025, the PhD Programme in Experimental and Translational Medicine.

The Department’s research focuses on both theoretical aspects and translational and clinical applications, with particular attention to artificial intelligence, precision medicine, advanced imaging, innovative surgery, neuroscience and omics sciences. Numerous research centres affiliated with DiMIT work in close collaboration with healthcare organisations, public institutions and national and international partners.

The Department is also strongly committed to its third mission, through activities in scientific dissemination, health education, prevention and collaboration with the local area, contributing to the social, cultural and healthcare development of the community.

Teaching for the degree programmes for which DiMIT is the lead or associated department is managed within the School of Medicine, of which DiMIT is one of the constituent departments.

In this context, it offers Bachelor’s degree programmes and single-cycle Master’s degree programmes in the medical, healthcare and sports fields.

Overall, the educational pathways offered are varied and multidisciplinary, with a focus on protecting and promoting psychophysical health: from the prevention of individual diseases to research, treatment and therapy, rehabilitation and functional recovery, through to educational and healthcare interventions aimed at the community and the local area.

With regard to third-cycle education, DiMIT is the lead department for medical and non-medical postgraduate specialisation schools, the PhD Programme in Experimental and Translational Medicine, and hosts Master’s programmes.

The research conducted at DiMIT focuses on both theoretical foundations and translational and clinical applications, with strong interaction between biomedical sciences, engineering, AI, big data, omics sciences and precision medicine. The Department promotes collaboration between disciplines and groups belonging to different fields, with particular attention to the development of multidisciplinary research projects.

Research areas include: artificial intelligence and digital healthcare, experimental radiology, molecular biology and cancer immunology, precision medicine and omics sciences, robotic surgery, telemedicine and digital pathology, and developmental neuroscience.

DiMIT has its registered office at the Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi in Varese. DiMIT members carry out their research and teaching activities primarily in the city of Varese, both at the facilities of ASST Sette Laghi — Ospedale di Circolo-Fondazione Macchi, Ospedale del Ponte and Clinica di Velate — ASST Valle Olona and ASST Lariana for clinical areas, and at the Bizzozero Campus complex for preclinical areas.

The Bizzozero Campus hosts teaching and research laboratories, lecture rooms and the Medicine and Science Library.

Some members of the Department carry out their activities in affiliated facilities, including IRCCS Maugeri in Tradate and IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio.

DiMIT is organised according to a structure governed by the Department regulations. The Director is supported by delegates in specific areas — student guidance, public engagement, internationalisation and research — who sit on the relevant University committees.

Quality Assurance policies, which are central to development and improvement in research, third mission and teaching, are developed in accordance with the AVA3 system, ANVUR and University requirements.