Organisation

The Communications Office ensures the proper management of scientific and institutional communications, leveraging innovative communication techniques to foster information exchange between the Institute and its stakeholders, including the use of social communication strategies. It supports the Directorate General in managing internal communications and activities aimed at improving the organizational climate.

Contacts: comunicazione@izsvenezie.it

The Safety and Biosafety Management Office plans, coordinates, and implements initiatives aimed at managing the occupational safety system within an overall framework of risk prevention, protection, and workplace well-being. It also coordinates biosafety activities within the integrated safety–biosafety–quality system.

Contacts: servizioprevenzioneprotezione@izsvenezie.it

The SCD1 – IT, Digitalization, and Research Data Management Unit is responsible for identifying the best technological and application solutions for the digitalization of processes. It ensures the availability, performance, and evolution of the Institute’s IT systems in compliance with organizational strategies, guidelines from the Agency for Digital Italy (AgID) and the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), and relevant regulatory frameworks. It also guarantees the preparation and updating of corporate and executive reports, as well as the operational management of information flows to external entities.

Director: Alessio Gasparetto

Offices:

• IT Office
• Bioinformatics and Laboratory Information System Office
• Business Intelligence and Information Flows Office

The Epidemiology and Emergency Response Office supports internal departments and partner entities with advanced technical-scientific expertise in quantitative and qualitative epidemiology. It operates cross-functionally and in collaboration with various units involved in emergency management, particularly with the GIS Office and SCS7 – Health Policy Development.

Contact person: Paolo Mulatti

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Emergency Response Office promotes the use of geomatic technologies and information systems to support public veterinary health, epidemiological surveillance, and emergency management. It operates cross-functionally and in collaboration with various units involved in emergency management, particularly with the Epidemiology Office and SCS7 – Health Policy Development.

Contact person: Nicola Ferrè

The SCS1 – General and Experimental Microbiology for Food Safety Unit helps ensure the safety of food intended for consumption through an integrated approach to surveillance and risk assessment across the food chain, aiming to protect public health and ensure compliance of agri-food production with national and European regulations.

Director: Lisa Barco

Laboratories/offices:

• Official Food Control Laboratory
• Salmonella Laboratory
• Risk Assessment Office
• Adria Local Laboratory

The SCS2 – Chemistry Unit carries out chemical testing to enable the implementation of effective surveillance and monitoring systems for chemical substances in food of animal or plant origin, and in animal feed. To this end, it works to maintain and update effective, efficient analytical methods accredited under UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 to meet required control standards. It also promotes scientific research and technological/methodological innovation in chemical food safety.

Director: Giancarlo Biancotto

Laboratories/offices:

• Veterinary Antimicrobial Drugs Laboratory
• Anabolic Substances, Toxins, and Allergens Laboratory
• Pesticides and Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants Laboratory
• Inorganic, Nitrogenous, and Process Contaminants, Food Improvers, and Food Preservation Laboratory
• Animal Poisoning Chemical Testing Laboratory
• Research and Development Office
• Quality System Assurance Office

The SCS3 – Ecosystems Unit contributes to protecting the health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, animal and plant production, and food safety through integrated research, diagnostics, surveillance, and innovation. It operates at the environment-health-production chain interface, developing knowledge, technologies, and strategies for the prevention and control of biological, environmental, and health risks.

Director: Franco Mutinelli

Laboratories:

• Microbial Ecology and Antimicrobial Resistance Laboratory
• Medical Entomology Laboratory
• Aquatic Environment Applied Epidemiology Laboratory
• Fishery Products and Bivalve Molluscs Control Laboratory
• Bee Health and Hive Products Laboratory

The SSDS1 – Technology and Innovation Platform Unit centrally applies Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies and innovative untargeted chemical methods for surveillance, advanced diagnostics, and scientific research.

Director: Isabella Monne

Laboratories:

• Genomics and Transcriptomics Laboratory
• Experimental Chemistry Laboratory

The SCS4 – Diseases under Surveillance and Specialist Diagnostics Unit delivers accurate specialized diagnoses and plays a central role in animal disease surveillance as well as zoonosis prevention and control. It supports public veterinary health programmes and promotes research and innovation by developing advanced diagnostic tools.

Director: Alda Natale

Laboratories:

• Serology and Diseases under Surveillance Laboratory
• Specialized Diagnostics and TSE Laboratory
• Parasitology and Mycology Laboratory
• Histopathology Laboratory
• Aquatic Species Diagnostics Laboratory
• Molecular Diagnostics Platform Laboratory

The SCS5 – Mammalian and Aquatic Species Virology Unit provides specialized diagnostics, ensures continuous surveillance, and supports public veterinary health programmes for the control and eradication of viral diseases in mammals and aquatic species, including zoonoses. It promotes research and innovation, and provides expert training and consultancy in line with One Health principles.

Director: Paola De Benedictis

Laboratories/offices:

• Diagnostic Virology Laboratory
• Rabies and Emerging Viral Zoonoses Laboratory
• Aquatic Species Virology Laboratory

The SCS6 – Avian Virology Unit provides specialized diagnostics and epidemiological surveillance of avian viral infections, supports public veterinary health programmes, promotes scientific research and innovation, and offers expert training in line with One Health principles.

Director: Calogero Terregino

Laboratories/offices:

• Avian Virology Laboratory
• Electron Microscopy, Cell Culture, Reagents, and Production Laboratory
• Innovative Diagnostics and Avian Virus Characterization Laboratory

The SSDS2 – Animal Welfare and Biosecurity Unit promotes health and sustainability through high standards of animal welfare, effective biosecurity protocols, and expert support for industry operators, in line with One Health principles.

Director: Guido Di Martino

Offices:

• Animal Welfare and Farm Biosecurity Office
• Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) and Companion Animal Welfare Office

The SSDS3 – Translational Research and Experimental Models for Emergency Response Unit conducts translational research in animal and human health by integrating experimental models and innovative methodologies, aiming to contribute to the prevention, control, and response to epidemic and potential pandemic viral zoonoses, while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and expert training.

Director: Francesco Bonfante

Laboratories:

• Phenotyping of Potential Epidemic/Pandemic Viral Agents Laboratory
• Preclinical Evaluation of Drugs and Vaccines for Emerging Viruses Control Laboratory

The SCS0 – General Support Services Unit enhances the organization’s ability to respond to user needs by promoting direct listening and information channels, ensuring through its support services the proper operation of the laboratories.

Director: Giandomenico Pozza

Offices:

• Central Sample Reception Office
• Shared Health Services Office
• Production Service Center Laboratory
• Health Technology Assessment and Management Office

The SCS7 – Health Policy Development Unit ensures the definition and implementation of strategic health policies in training, research, and international cooperation. It fosters professional skill development, supports service innovation, and ensures the coordination of epidemiological surveillance activities in animal health and food safety, contributing to strengthening the institution’s role as a national technical-scientific reference point.

Director: Grazia Manca

Offices:

• Training and Professional Development Office
• Epidemiological Surveillance and Applied Information Systems Office
• Research and International Cooperation Office

The SCS8 – Agri-Food Chain Business Services Unit provides technical-scientific support to enhance agri-food production and promote typical local products. It ensures that services provided to private entities are delivered consistently across all facilities, reflect the best available technical and scientific knowledge, meet recipient needs, and align with institutional goals and current regulations.

Director: Andrea Cereser

Laboratories:

• Food Supply Chain Quality and Safety Laboratory (Vicenza)
• Food Supply Chain Hygiene and Safety Laboratory (San Donà di Piave)

The SSDS4 – Animal Facility and Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes Unit ensures the responsible and safe use of laboratory animals, protecting their welfare in compliance with current regulations and supporting research and diagnostic activities.

Director: Franco Mutinelli

The Quality Management, Accreditation, and Metrology Office ensures operational excellence, process impartiality, and analytical data reliability by developing and monitoring the quality system, promoting continuous improvement, staff training, proper management of equipment and data, as well as the integration of quality, safety, biosafety, anti-corruption, and environmental systems.

Contact person: Paola Carnieletto

The SCT1 – Verona Territorial Unit provides appropriate diagnostic, surveillance, consultancy, support, and research services to meet local needs for public health protection, animal disease control, animal welfare, and biomedical research development, operating in synergy with headquarters units and other territorial offices. It identifies the needs and requirements of livestock production and local public health within its area of jurisdiction.

Director: Salvatore Catania

Laboratories/offices:

• Clinical Diagnostics Laboratory
• Avian Medicine Laboratory
• Specialized Microbiology and Antigen Production Laboratory

The SCT2 – Treviso and Belluno Territorial Unit provides appropriate diagnostic, surveillance, consultancy, support, and research services to meet local needs for public health protection, animal disease control, animal welfare, livestock production enhancement, and biomedical research development, operating in synergy with headquarters units and other territorial offices. It identifies the needs and requirements of livestock production and local public health within its area of jurisdiction.

Director: Luca Bano

Laboratories/offices:

• Clinical Diagnostics Laboratory (Treviso)
• Lagomorph Pathology and Welfare Laboratory (Treviso)
• Special Bacteriology Laboratory (Treviso)
• Territorial Diagnostic Support and Wildlife Eco-Pathology Laboratory (Belluno)

The SSDT3 – Padua and Vicenza Territorial Unit provides appropriate diagnostic, surveillance, consultancy, support, and research services to meet local needs for public health protection, animal disease control, animal welfare, livestock production enhancement, and biomedical research development, operating in synergy with headquarters units and other territorial offices. It identifies the needs and requirements of livestock production and local public health within its area of jurisdiction.

Director: Antonio Barberio

Laboratories:

• Clinical Diagnostics Laboratory (Padua)
• Bovine Pathology, Breeding, and Welfare Laboratory (Padua)
• Laboratory Medicine Laboratory (Padua)
• Vicenza Local Laboratory

The SCT4 – Udine and Pordenone Territorial Unit provides appropriate diagnostic, surveillance, consultancy, support, and research services to meet local needs for public health protection, animal disease control, animal welfare, and biomedical research development, operating in synergy with headquarters units and other territorial offices. It identifies the needs and requirements of livestock production and local public health within its area of jurisdiction.

Director: Fabrizio Agnoletti

Laboratories/offices:

• Clinical Diagnostics and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (Udine)
• One Health Epidemiological Focal Point Office for FVG (Udine)
• Swine Pathology, Breeding, and Welfare Laboratory (Pordenone)
• Self-Checking Support and Local Production Enhancement Laboratory (Pordenone)

The SCT5 – Trento Territorial Unit provides appropriate diagnostic, surveillance, consultancy, support, and research services to meet local needs for public health protection, animal disease control, animal welfare, and biomedical research development, operating in synergy with headquarters units and other territorial offices. It identifies the needs and requirements of livestock production and local public health within its area of jurisdiction.

Director: Giovanni Farina

Laboratories:

• Clinical Diagnostics and Diseases under Surveillance Laboratory
• Official Food Control Laboratory
• Self-Checkins Support Laboratory

The SCT6 – Bolzano Territorial Unit provides appropriate diagnostic, surveillance, consultancy, support, and research services to meet local needs for public health protection, animal disease control, animal welfare, and biomedical research development, operating in synergy with headquarters units and other territorial offices. It identifies the needs and requirements of livestock production and local public health within its area of jurisdiction.

Director: Alexander Tavella

Laboratories:

• Clinical Diagnostics and Diseases under Surveillance Laboratory
• Official Food Control Laboratory
• Self-Checking Support Laboratory

The Institutional Affairs and Directorate Support Office ensures the effective functioning of governance, supporting the Directorate and executive bodies in achieving institutional goals in full compliance with the principles of transparency, legality, and good governance.

Contacts: segreteria.amm@izsvenezie.it

The SCA2 – Procurement, Services, and Logistics Unit ensures transparent and efficient procurement of goods and services, guaranteeing cost-effectiveness, traceability, and regulatory compliance. It manages the central warehouse and logistics of the Institute, promoting sustainable and digitalized operational models.

Director: Stefano Affolati

Offices:

• Administrative and Accounting Coordination Office
• Goods and Services Procurement Office
• Logistics Office

The SCA4 – Technical and Real Estate Facilities Management Unit guarantees the management, maintenance, and development of the Institute’s real estate and facility infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency, workplace safety, and the adoption of innovative technologies. It works in close collaboration with other institutional functions to ensure modern, resilient, and future-oriented infrastructure.

Director: Stefano Affolati

Offices:

• Building Development and Estate Management Office
• Property and Facilities Maintenance Office
• Procurement Contracts and Accounting Management Office

The SCA1 – Human Resources Management and Development Unit ensures the integrated management of the legal and financial aspects of employment relationships, overseeing all stages of the employment lifecycle, from recruitment to termination. It provides qualified technical support in union relations.

Director: Nadia Zorzan

Offices:

• HR General Affairs Office
• HR Planning Implementation and Recruitment Office
• HR Legal Affairs Management Office
• Non-Permanent Staff and Training Programmes Management Office
• Payroll and Pension Benefits Management Office

The SCA3 – Financial and Economic Sustainability Unit ensures the reliability of accounting management and supports the Institute’s decision-making processes in the financial and economic domains through innovative approaches and appropriate control and analysis tools. It guarantees budgetary sustainability in full alignment with the Institute’s strategic vision.

Director: Sara Casarotto

Offices:

• Accounting and Budget Office
• Asset Accounting Management Office
• Accounts Receivable and Debt Recovery Office
• Contracts Office
• Legal Affairs Office
• Records and Archives Office

The SSDA1 – General Affairs Unit ensures the coordinated management of administrative processes and legal-administrative relations with external entities, handling the drafting of national and international contracts, agreements, and partnerships. It also provides legal support to internal departments and manages document flows and archives.

Director: Giulia Ferriani