Lecturers and participants profiles


Lecturers

Paola Branduardi
Paola Branduardi graduated cum Laude in Biological Sciences at the Univer- sity of Milano, Italy, and received a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Milano, with an internship at the Vienna BioCenter, work- ing on the yeast cell cycle progression. She moved in 2000 at the University of Milano Bicocca as Post-Doc, where she started to work on Industrial Bio- technology where she is now full professor in Chemistry of Fermentation and Industrial Microbiology. Her research aims at the development of sus- tainable microbial-based bioprocesses, mainly valorizing residual biomasses as in the concept of biorefineries. She published over 60 peer-reviewed pa- pers, 7 book chapters, and she is (co-)inventor of 10 patent applications, 6 of which obtained the PCT status, and 5 subsequently licensed. She is co- founder and president of Galatea BioTech srl, a University spin-off company active in the production of bio-based biodegradable materials. She acts as coordinator of the PhD programme in Converging Technologies for Bio- molecular Systems, as member of the teaching board of the Master in Circu- lar Bioeconomy “Biocirce”, and as beneficiary of past and present MSCA ITN programmes.

Simona Sacchi
Simona Sacchi is Associate Professor of Social psychology at the University of Milano-Bicocca where she teaches “Social Cognition” (MSc) and  “Social Psychology of Communication” (bachelor's degree). As attested by her publications, her research interests primarily focus on social cognition, psychology of morality and information search process. More recently, she started to investigate how social-cognitive processes are likely to affect pro-environmental behaviors and individuals' perception of environmental issues.


John Kariuki
Born in Molo, Kenya, in 1987, John Kariuki Mwangi is vice president of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity, coordinator of Slow Food’s projects in Kenya and Slow Food councilor for East Africa. After graduating from the University of Gastronomic Sciences (2010) in Pollenzo, Italy, he returned to Kenya to coordinate the creation of over 400 agroecological food gardens, launch numerous Presidia (project that sustain quality production at risk of extinction, protect unique regions and ecosystems, recover traditional processing methods, safeguard native breeds and local plant varieties), and develop the Slow Food Youth Network.


Valentina Gritti

My name is Valentina Gritti, I am 26 and I have been working since January 2018 as global coordinator of the Slow Food Youth Network (SFYN).
My background is in Gastronomy (bachelor at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy) and Food Technology (European Master in Food Studies at Wageningen University, NL, Cork University, Ireland, Agro-paris-tech, Paris and Lund University, Sweden). Both my bachelor and master's thesis were focusing on sensory analysis. I am originally from Italy, but currently living in the Netherlands, where the headquarters of SFYN are located. Parallele to my work at SFYN, I am carrying out my own project "Vale.gastronome", dealing with food tastings, consultancy and events. I like challenges, especially when it comes to sport. Last year I took part in the "Giro di SFYN" road-cycling tour from Maastricht to Turin and at the moment I am training to run the Rotterdam's full Marathon in April 2020. 



Michele Fontefrancesco
Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco (Alessandria, 1983) is a social anthropologist specialised in economic anthropology. He completed his bachelor and master studies at the University of Eastern Piedmont and doctoral studies at Durham University in 2012. Since 2012, he has taught and conducted research at University of Gastronomic Sciences.




Edoardo Occa
I hold a degree in Theoretical Philisophy and after that I turned to Anthropology and I got a Master in Applied Anthropology in Bicocca and then again I studied Medical Anthropology as well. In 2004 I married Laura and we started working with NGOs in Tanzania and Central African Republic.

In 2008 Erasmo was born, our first wonderful boy. In 2010 we went back to Tanzania (in Iringa region) working with Doctors with Africa CUAMM, leading Italian NGO for health cooperation, where we lived and worked until…5 days ago (In the meantime, I conducted field research in Ethiopia and Sudan as well). In 2011 Catherine Maria arrived, our second wonderful girl. I deal with Community Health and Health System Strengthening, moving from hundreds of villages in the savannah up to policy making roundtables at ministry level with international donors and others stakeholders. Since 2013 up to November 2019 I coordinated the projects supported by different partners, mainly UNICEF and DFID, working on Nutrition, Maternal and Newborn Health, Infectious diseases. After some years in Africa, I decided it was time to go back to my beloved Anthropology, and that is why I just began my second year of PhD in Social and Cultural Anthropology at Universita’ of Milano Bicocca. My research is based on understanding cultural barriers and social structures leading to such high rates of malnutrition among children, in an area that export foods in other regions of Tanzania and abroad as well…


Gabriele Volpato
Research Fellow AT unisg Anthropology, Human Ecology of Natural and Subsistence Resource Use and Management, Food
Systems, Biocultural Diversity, Migrant and Refugee Studies, Pastoral Systems, Human-Animal

Relationships, Social-Ecological Systems and Sustainability.




Diana Cerini
Diana Cerini is Professor of Comparative Law at the School of Law of Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca (Italy), where she is in charge of the courses of “Comparative private law”, and “Business and consumer contracts in global perspective”. Her academic role includes the coordination of international activities for the School of Law and the Program of Legal Clinics. She is investigating since long time in the field of animal law, specifically concerning animals in the private law perspective, insurance and animal law; animals in relation to fashion law. She has also developed researches and tough animal law in foreign universities. She has been consultant for Italian parliamentary members for some proposal of reforms of laws concerning animal protection.

Raffaele Matacena
PhD URBEUR in  Urban Studies, Department of Sociology

My studies deal with small scale farming characteristics and obstacles to economic sustainability; alternative food networks’ shortcomings and potentialities in managing short food chains; farming and urban food policies; food economy; rural sociology; urban-rural linkages; food consumption patterns and trends; food activism; food sovereignty.


Antony Majanga
Antony Majanga Buyagane. Born in 1974, Diploma in Organic farming and Diploma in Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Development, Training students  in Organic farming, Crop production, farm management, Beekeeping and applied management.






Boniface Kyalo
Br. Boniface Kyalo born 1964. Kenyan citizen. Background in education, sustainable agriculture certificate, Diploma in organic agriculture, BA in education, MA in theology, experience in curriculum development. Taught in secondary schools, Baraka agriculture college, deputy principal of Baraka agriculture college, currently General farm manager of Baraka agriculture college Molo, Kenya. 
Member of Slow Food Kenya Molo Convivium.  




Participants

Alessandro Sassi
Alessandro Sassi has studied computer science in Bicocca-Milan University and graduated in early 2019, later he worked for a short period of time in a big consulting company in Milan and at the the end of this experience went book to studies ,again in Bicocca-Milan, where he is currently enrolled in the theory and technology of communication course, committed to end this study-journey in 2021 summer. During spare time he loves reading about tech stuff, jogging and play boardgames.


Elisa Bernazzani
My name is Elisa Bernazzani and I am from northern Italy.
I am a 25-year-old traveler and world explorer. I started travelling when I was 17 and I have been in a lot of places, because I like seeing the differences between people and cultures and the wonders of places and landscapes.
I studied tourism at the University of Milano Bicocca for five years and my dream is to work in the field of tourism to travel the world and to give people the opportunity to travel in a sustainable and responsible way.



Marta Potenza
Marta Potenza is a junior professional in the field of international cooperation. She is a graduate of the University of Bologna in International Cooperation and Development Studies (MA, 2011) and she has pursued a postgraduate Master in Advanced European and International Studies at the Centre International de Formation Europeénne of Nice (2016).
She has worked primarily in the field of academic cooperation and international higher education, with a long-term experience in Latin America. She returned to Europe in 2018 and after a short stay at the European Commission she has been working in the euro-Mediterranean area. 
She is particularly interested in the promotion of sustainable human development, aiming at farther academic research studies. Her main concerns are the promotion of fair and sustainable development thanks to the respect of local communities; the role of education in development processes.


Giulio Faccenda
Giulio Faccenda is a recent graduate from University of Milano-Bicocca. He pursued a master’s degree in Applied Experimental Psychological Sciences (2019) with a thesis in the field of environmental psychology about the perception of risk of fluvial floods in Milan.
He is particularly interested in the study of biased information processing and decision making. He believes in the necessity of conducting empirical research on human factors to support the development of policies to address social issues, such as the ones arising from climate change and sustainability.
During free time he enjoys reading essays on contemporary societal problems and relaxing in nature while mountain hiking.



Jessica Genova
I graduated with a Master Degree in Human Rights and Multi-level governace at University of Padua. During my academic studies I've been Head of Human Rights Department of UPKL and Observer at European Network for the promotion of health – enhancing physical activity through human rights. After different professional and volunteer experiences around the world, now I live in Padua working as Monitoring Officer at Italian Muscolar Dystrophy Association, Despite living in Italy, I'm continuing to collaborate with a tanzanian NGO as Program Advisor, I can say when I started to travel, I've never stopped and my passion for Human Rights and International Cooperation has continued to grow!


Clare C. Ronoh
Hello, I am Clare c. Ronoh from the community of the Ogiek people based in the Mau forest, Kenya. I was born and brought up in the area as an Ogiek lady. Our food is honey as a stable food and we are a beekeepers community. With this winter school, I wish to learn more about marketing and exchange some ideas with the other school mates.




Elphas Masanga
I’m Elphas Masanga, Agricultural Extension personnel (Farmers Trainer) at Seed Savers Network, Kenya www.seedsaverskenya.org . At Slow Food, Am a Volunteer at SFYN, Kenya as acting Coordinator and SFYN Africa as Communication. Am also Country representative (Kenya) Association of Social Media Profession (http://www.theasmp.net)




Annkatrin Schober
My name is Ann, I’m from Stuttgart, Germany and I’m currently doing my master’s in Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics at University of Hohenheim. Since my prior educational background was not related to agriculture, I am constantly trying to deepen my knowledge in this field during the time of my master’s program. I therefore started to work for the Centre of Organic Agriculture to gain some experience in field-work and also because I am convinced that more sustainable approaches are the right way to face future challenges. I also realized that going to the fields and participate in the research on-site has even a higher outcome in terms of learning. This is also the reason why I decided to participate in the Winter School in Kenya. I’m excited about all the new things we will see and learn during

our time there. Besides my studies I’m working part-time for Sabab Lou Foundation which is funding agricultural projects in the Gambia and Ghana.

Anna Ferrari
Anna, 23 years old from Italy. Originally from Lezzeno, a little village on Lake Como. At the moment living in Milan to complete a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology and Educational Processes.
Job: Childhood Neuro and Psycomotricity Therapist, working with children with disabilities. A creative job aimed to help the child to reach is best level of skills.
Always practiced middle distance running, and other specialities of athletics. Now training the 3000 hedges. In the meanwhile, also training to become an athletics Junior coach. Since young age played the clarinet in a band, loved the world of music, listened music and went to concerts. Always been passionate of nature and of being surrounded by nature so every time is possible I get to do sports on the mountains that surround the place where I was born. I choose to spend my free time in outdoor activities. Citizen of the world, travelling lonely or in company to discover new places and new cultures. Friendly and happy to be in a team. I love meeting new people and share with them the pleasure of adventure.

Ruth Migwe
I am Ruth Migwe. I live in karatina, Nyeri county, Kenya. I am a Kikuyu we specialize in agriculture both crop production and animal keeping. Our community is known to be good in business. I am passionate about agriculture so as to contribute to food security. I believe in the virtue of responsibility, obedience, diligence and time conscious alongside being self-driven, results-oriented, tolerant and accommodative to divergent logical options.



Pia Müller-Cyran
My name is Pia Müller-Cyran. I’m 25 years old and currently doing my masters in Organic Agriculture and Food Systems at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. I grew up in Munich. After finishing my middle school in Munich, I decided to follow my interests and study on an agricultural related high school. After this my interest in agriculture was great enough for me to start studying agriculture and I did my bachelors in agricultural science at a small university in northern Bavaria. As I have always been curios about different alternative growing methods and different approaches to food security and safety, I chose to continue studying at one of the major agricultural universities in Germany. I just started to write my master thesis with the topic of “politics and political uncertainty as a risk in agriculture – a case study on pig fattening farms in the state of Baden-Württemberg”. Outside my professional career I have always been an animal lover – especially horses, when ever I get the chance, I will go for a horse ride. I also like hiking, canoeing and climbing.

Lela Adano
My name is Lelo Adano. I am a young woman from the Borana Pastoralist community of Kulamawe location, Kinna Division of Garbatulla District, Isiolo County, a community whose main means of livelihood is livestock rearing. I did my Diploma in
Organic Farming at Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF).I attended Katheri High School before which I did my primary studies at Kulamawe Primary School.
I formed a forum whereby we are able to discuss sensitive topic like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Planned Parenthood which is 85 percent achieved. I am interested in enhancing pride and confidence and empowerment of women through peer groups and social economic empowerment.
I am a community Educator working with Network for Eco-Farming in Africa (NECOFA).

Giulia Zaninelli
Born in Melzo in 1992, in the wasteland between the provinces of Milan, Bergamo and Cremona, I didn't really want to attend university. Yet between working experiences in ice cream shops, cinemas, pubs and restorants, I managed to obtain a three-year degree in Human Sciences of the environment, territory and landscape at the University of Milan. Subsequently, I decided to continue my studies by landing at the University of Milan Bicocca, obtaining a master's degree in anthropological and ethnological sciences with a thesis focused on the analysis of environmental visions among small farmers and environmental NGOs in Aceh, Sumatra. I am interested in environmentalism and alternative forms of living, sustainable lifestyles and ethical consumption, cultural ecology and environmental conservatism, native resistance and environmental education.  The aim of my phd project is to investigate the different environmental visions among environmental NGOs, small farmers and workers involved in the cultivation, processing and sale of palm oil. The intent is to reach a comparison between two geographically and politically distinct areas present in Sumatra, namely the Aceh area and the Riau area. I intend to analyze the social, political and economic dynamics that define the oil palm plantation as a political and market arena in which the individual agency of the worker is constantly negotiated.

Samson Kiiru Ngugi
Samson Kiiru Ngugi, Born in Nakuru (Kenya) on 21/9/86, lives in Nakuru Kenya Graduated at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (Cn, Italy), he started working on the project titled A thousand gardens in a Africa in 2012 as a trainee at the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity,  Continued collaboration on the Ark of taste and the Ten thousand gardens in Africa projects for what concerns the English speaking African countries and since 2014 till to date he has been working with Slow Food Kenya, Coordinating Slow Food Kenya activities; 10,000 gardens in Africa, Ark of taste, Slow Food Cook’s Alliance, Earth Markets and Slow Food Youth Network Kenya in Nakuru County and other Counties. He is also Steering Committee member of SFYN Global.


Anita Dognini
I am Anita from Milan. I study social and work up psychology at Milano Bicocca University. I love travelling, reading and playing guitar. I’m interested in climate change so that I’m writing my thesis about social representations of it. Coming to  Kenya is a new and full experience to me, I can’t wait to be there





Marco Borromini
Marco Borromini is a 24 years student graduating in Apllied Experimental Psychological Sciences from University of Milano-Bicocca. He is particulary interested in infants' and children study.
He is particularly interested in climate change, natural environmaent safeguard and sustainability and for this reason he has a progect called "we.roof" with other friends with which he organizes activities in order to sensitize about these issues.

He is scoutmaster in the C.N.G.E.I. Como 1 group and in his free time he likes hiking and climbing mountains.

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