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ARPICO is 'On the Neutron Trail'

15 April 2011

Here at TRIUMF, you can expect to be seeing more of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Vitruvian Man around the facility.  Now you are probably wondering why such a world-renown artistic icon would appear at TRIUMF since it is a basic research facility. What is is the connection?

This illustration is the icon of ARPICO – The Society of Italian Researchers and Professionals in Western Canada.  Established January 17, 2011, this non-profit organization aims to advocate public awareness of research activities that involve Italians or that may pique the interest of the Italian community in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.  Along with promoting public awareness, ARPICO plans to offer an informal “café-style” forum for discussion, debate, and the exchange of ideas related to topics relevant to modern society.  They will facilitate networking and build connections across Canada and Italy and will represent a point of reference and support for researchers, professionals, and government entities.

Over the past few years a strong interest an Italian “Café Scientifique” for Western Canada has developed, but evolved to incorporate not just science, but other areas of expertise as well. During the visit of Scientific Attaché of the Italian Embassy in September of last year, things started moving under the guidance of Franco Mammarella and others.  Dozens of meetings among the board of directors have lead to the planning of the inaugural event, held last night in collaboration with the Insitute Italiano di Cultura.  ARPICO’s launch event, featuring Olivia Fermi – granddaughter of Italian nuclear physicist and 1938 Nobel Prize winner, Enrico Fermi, featured the Consulate General of Italy, Dr. Francesco de Conno and the Scientific Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa, Professor Emanuele Fiore.  The event also showcased the board of directors’ research with a poster session – “It let those attending know who we are, what we do, and helped to stimulate discussion around various topics,” said President Anadi Canepa, a TRIUMF scientist.

The event was a great success with a tremendous amount of support from the TRIUMF community and its newfound Italian friends and relations.  Franco Mammarella has been an inspiration to everyone involved behind the scenes with ARPICO, and Alice Miceli’s hard work and dedication made the night enjoyable for everyone.  The Society of Researchers and Professionals in Western Canada would like to thank the TRIUMF director and everyone else who attended last night for supporting them and their mission to promote Italian culture.

ARPICO plans to host a coffee-house style event in a few months, promoting an informal discussion on research topics – keep an eye out around the facility for the Vitruvian Man!

 

-- Written by Lindsay Davies, Communications Assistant