Professional background

Education and appointments

• 1988Degree in Medicine and Surgery, cum laudeUniversity of Siena
• 1991Specialist training in Otorhinolaryngology and Cervico-Facial PathologyUniversity of Siena
• 1991Began his career in otological surgeryVenice Civil Hospital, with Prof. Gregorio Babighian
• 2000Founded, with Prof. Babighian, the first Otosurgery Unit in ItalyPadua Hospital
• 2009Specialist training in NeurosurgeryUniversity of Padua
• 2010Director of the Otological and Skull Base Surgery UnitSiena Hospital
• 2016Director of OtorhinolaryngologyMeyer University Children’s Hospital, Florence · Consultant in otological surgery to the Central Tuscany Local Health Authority
• 2022Associate Professor of OtorhinolaryngologyUniversity of Florence

Scientific societies

• European Society of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (ESPO)Council Member 2018–2025 · President-elect since 2025
• European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAONO)Founding member · General Secretary 2008–2012 · President 2012–2014
• EAONO European guidelinesCoordinator of the working groups on cholesteatoma and chronic otitis, cochlear implants, vertigo and acoustic neuroma
• 7th Instructional Workshop of the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-OtologyOrganising President, Siena 2014
• Italian Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology (SIOP)Board member
• Association of Italian Children’s HospitalsOrganising President of the Congress, Florence 2018 and 2022
• Mediterranean Society of Otology and AudiologyBoard Member
• Global Otology Research Forum (GLORF)Board Member
• Live International Otolaryngology Network (L.I.O.N.)Founding member
• Politzer Society, International Society for Otological SurgeryMember
• Indian Society of OtologyLife / Honorary Member
• Royal Society of MedicineFormer member
• American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery FoundationFormer Corresponding Member

International teaching

• University of Toronto, Department of OtolaryngologyVisiting Professor, 2014 and 2016
• University of ZurichTutor on 12 “Microsurgery of the Skull Base” courses and 3 hands-on “Otology and Temporal Bone Surgery” courses, 2000–2015
• Université de la Méditerranée, MarseilleTutor on 6 hands-on “Temporal Bone and Skull Base” courses

Training abroad

• 1992Marseille (France), Hôpital Nord, University ENT Clinic
• 1993Zurich (Switzerland), University ENT Clinic
• 1994Stockholm (Sweden), Karolinska Institute, ENT Clinic
• 1994Marseille (France), Hôpital Nord, ENT Clinic
• 1994Los Angeles (USA), House Ear Institute
• 1995–96Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Copenhagen, Gentofte Hospital, ENT Clinic
• 2001Iowa City (USA), University of Iowa, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery

Scientific journals

• Journal of International Advanced OtologyAdvisory Board Member
• European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Head & NeckReviewer
• Audiology and NeurotologyReviewer
• Journal of Hearing ScienceReviewer

Awards and honours

Gold Medal for Merit in Public Health

Conferred by the President of the Italian Republic, April 2025.

“He taught and disseminated innovative surgical techniques for childhood deafness and cochlear implantation in hearing-impaired children in many countries in Europe and beyond, including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Israel.”

The award recognises his work in otological and skull base surgery, his commitment to international training, and his care for the health of children.