Established in 1224 by Emperor Frederick II, the University of Naples Federico II is the oldest state-supported university in the world. With over 800 years of history, it remains one of Italy’s largest and most prestigious academic institutions, hosting approximately 75,000 students.
The university is structured into three specialized divisions: Science and Technology, Life Sciences, and Social and Human Sciences. It is globally recognized for its excellence in Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Pharmacy, consistently ranking among the top institutions in the QS World University Rankings.
A key highlight of its modern evolution is the San Giovanni a Teduccio Campus, a high-tech hub that hosts the Apple Developer Academy, the first in Europe. This innovation ecosystem fosters strong synergies with global leaders like Cisco, Deloitte, and Leonardo, bridging the gap between academic research and the industrial market.
As a leader in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Federico II spearheads strategic projects in Agritech, Sustainable Mobility, and Quantum Technologies. Its vast network of 26 departments continues to drive socio-economic growth in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
The Department of Agricultural Sciences (DIA) at the University of Naples Federico II is a world-class center for research and higher education, uniquely located in the Royal Palace of Portici. This prestigious department seamlessly integrates its deep historical roots with cutting-edge scientific innovation, making it a cornerstone of agricultural advancement in the Mediterranean basin.
As of 2026, the department serves as a primary hub for the National Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies (Agritech), a massive strategic initiative funded by the PNRR. This role cements its position as a leader in the digital and ecological transition of the agrifood sector. The department’s academic and research activities are organized around three fundamental pillars:
Sustainable Production and Climate Resilience: Utilizing biotechnology and precision farming to develop crops that can withstand extreme weather and soil salinity, while minimizing the use of water and chemical fertilizers.
Food Science and Human Health: Focusing on the “Farm to Fork” strategy, researchers analyze the molecular quality of the Mediterranean Diet, food safety, and the development of functional foods that prevent chronic diseases.
Circular Bioeconomy: DIA is a pioneer in valorizing agricultural by-products, converting waste into bioplastics, bioactive compounds, and renewable energy, often in collaboration with nearby institutes like CNR-IPCB.
The department offers an international environment with several programs taught in English, such as the Master’s in Precision Agriculture, attracting students and researchers from across the globe. Its facilities include experimental farms, advanced genomic sequencing labs, and the historic Botanical Garden of Portici. By bridging the gap between traditional agronomy and modern data science, the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Federico II continues to shape the future of global food security.
Elena Torrieri, University of Napoli, Italy
Prof. ELENA TORRIERI is Associate Professor in Food Science and Technology at the Department of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Naples Federico II, teaching Food Packaging and Sustainable Food processing and Packaging at the master’s degree in Food Science and Technology and Sustainable Food System of the University of Naples Federico II. She is member of the director board of the Italian Scientific Group of Food Packaging (GSICA), and member of the Italian Society of Food Science and Technology (SISTAL). Her research activities are focused on the design of food packaging and estimation/prediction of food shelf life. The main topics are: (i) Development of biopolymer film/coating for food packaging application; (ii) Design a modified atmosphere package for fresh fruit and vegetable; (iii) Study the effect of innovative packaging technology on food shelf-life. Research activity is/was carried out with several international collaborations from Ireland, France, Spain, Israel, UK, Germany, and Mexico. She was involved in several national and European projects focused on Food packaging and shelf-life of food. The most recently are: BORN-BiObased theRmal-resistaNt food packaging (European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Project 101223095); BIOATTICOBIO-Sistemi biodegradabili attivi per coltivazioni biologiche (MASAF); SHEALTHY - "Non-Thermal physical technologies to preserve Healthiness of fresh and minimally processed fruit and vegetables"(European Commission; H2020-SFS-2018-2020/H2020-SFS-2018-2). She is author of 88 publications in international peer reviewed journals with IF (h-index 27; number of citations: 2308). ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7461-4705.
