by EH
The National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) has extended the tenure of its director general, Paola Del Negro, for an additional 18 months, maintaining continuity in leadership at one of Italy’s key scientific institutions.
The decision, announced Tuesday by the institute’s board of directors, reflects continued confidence in Del Negro, who has led OGS since 2018. Under her direction, the institute has expanded its role in oceanographic and geophysical research, strengthening its scientific and technological capabilities.
“Dr. Paola Del Negro has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing OGS toward innovative strategic goals, fostering high-level research and international collaborations,” Nicola Casagli, the institute’s president, said in a statement. He added that her reappointment would provide stability for ongoing initiatives while reinforcing the institute’s global reputation.
In a statement following the announcement, Del Negro expressed gratitude for the board’s decision. “We have worked with determination to establish OGS as a national and international reference in scientific research,” she said. “My commitment will be to continue enhancing our team’s expertise, supporting younger researchers, and strengthening ties with the academic, institutional, and industrial sectors.”
A Career in Science
Del Negro, a biologist by training, has been involved in both research and administrative leadership for decades. She has supervised dozens of theses in biological and environmental sciences and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. Before assuming her current role, she directed OGS’s Oceanography Research Section.
Her fieldwork includes more than 30 oceanographic campaigns in the Adriatic Sea and three in Antarctica’s Ross Sea, where she led operational units. In addition to her research, she has taught marine microbiology at the University of Padua and microbial ecology at the University of Trieste.
The OGS, headquartered in Trieste, plays a central role in Italy’s scientific research landscape. It conducts studies on marine ecosystems, climate change, and geophysics, contributing to European and international research initiatives.
Del Negro’s term is now set to continue until August 31, 2026.
