VARESE, 30 April 2024-The first one has been delivered degree award dedicated to the memory of Maria Cattonisurgeon and passionate scholar who suffered from cancer at the age of 36, in March 2023.
An award established by the Research Center in Minimally Invasive Surgery of the University of Insubria, directed by professor Nicola Rotolo, with the aim of representing a stimulus to new graduates, so that they approach scientific research with passion and dedication.
As stated in the motivation«Dr. Maria Cattoni, who passed away prematurely, made an important contribution to our University in terms of scientific research by carrying out numerous publications with the University of Insubria. To allow the continuation of the scientific research that you have conducted in the surgical oncology field with tenacity, passion, study and a great desire for “knowledge”.” it was proposed to establish a degree prize in memory of Maria Cattoni. The purpose of the award is highlight the studies and research of young graduates of our University who have developed an experimental master’s thesis in the field of thoracic surgery and thoracic oncology”.
The first winner, chosen from four Insubria candidates who graduated in the fields of thoracic or oncological surgery, is doctor Giorgia Cerrettaniproclaimed Doctor of Medicine and Surgery on 28 March 2023 with the thesis entitled «Triportal versus monoportal technique in Videothoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer: comparison of short- and long-term outcomes”.
The ceremony was held in the Council Room of the Rectorate in Varese on 29 April and was attended by the magnificent rector Angelo Tagliabueof the president of the School of Medicine Alberto Passiof the president of the degree course in Medicine and Surgery Matteo Tozzi and the director of the Department of Medicine and technological innovation Giulio Carcano. They intervened with their testimonies Mary’s family Cattoni, his mother Delfina and his father Fausto and connected Eric Vallières, director of the «Lung cancer program» of the Swedish cancer institute in Seattle, where Maria had worked for a year.
The winner of the degree prize Maria Cattoni, doctor Cerretaniin her acceptance speech, underlined the importance of the presence of reference figures for young doctors who can guide the path, indicating in the young doctor who passed away precisely that reference point that everyone should have: «If I have become passionate about this work , I owe it also and above all to Dr. Maria Cattoni”, underlines the winner of the award in her speech
«It’s a beautiful moment, an initiative that aims to reward young graduates who are preparing to face the world of work with greater enthusiasm, stimulating their desire to learn» claims the professor Roll.
Maria Cattoni, born in Como in 1986 and graduated with honors in Medicine and Surgery at Insubria in 2011, she specialized in thoracic surgery in 2017, again with honors, at the University of Milan, associated with Varese. Between 2015 and 2016 you were a clinical research fellow in the thoracic surgery division for one year Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle in the United States, where she distinguished herself for her scientific and research capabilities. She obtained the title of PhD in Surgery in 2019. Upon her return she was hired bySeven Lakes Asst as medical director of the thoracic surgery unit (headed by Professor Andrea Selenito Emperors) continuing to carry out intense research activity on lung cancer in Insubriain collaboration with other Italian and foreign universities.
