Sicily, Italy

MEDEA - Mediterranean Diet, Biodiversity and Functional Food

The First Edition of MEDEA Summer School is a collaboration between the University of Milan-Bicocca as promoter and many Institutions localized in the Eastern part of Sicily around the Etna Volcano. The program will be held around Catania, Sicily. MEDEA is a cultural, scientific and sensorial journey in Sicily, to understand, through lectures and surveys, the cultivation, transformation and tasting of functional food, included in the Mediterranean diet obtained by using organic farming.

The program while last 5 days each one dedicated to a specific thematic area.

Frontal lectures given by university professors and professionals from different fields will give a modern and up-to-date interpretation of how excellent products have always been at the base of the Mediterranean diet, from their molecular and functional nature, through modern methods of integrated cultivation / breeding , can be proposed today as a healthy and functional food, for a correct quality of life.

Bringing together different teachers to give a global picture, this course will be a mixture of theory, experience and hands on practice. This course aims to give participants an understanding of where we are today, and take home skills that they can apply in their respective area's of work and life.

All days at MEDEA are telling the story of food as a reinterpretation of ancient culture and flavors, for lunch and dinner through sensory experiences told through the myths that formed the Sicilian culture.

Course leader

Scientific committee University of Milano-Bicocca
Rosario Musumeci
Paola Palestini
Emanuela Cazzaniga
Alessandra Bulbarelli

Target group

Priority will be given to students participants holding a Master degree, but application by master students is encouraged and will be evaluated on the basis of the applicant motivation and background.

Course aim

Bringing together different teachers to give a global picture, this course will be a mixture of theory, experience and hands on practice. This course aims to give participants an understanding of where we are today, and take home skills that they can apply in their respective area's of work and life.

Fee info

EUR 500: Covers all lectures; course materials, visits, accommodation and part of the meals.