Team
Project Coordination
DIANA SOFIA DA COSTA SANTOS
Junior Project Assistant
Diana is currently working as Junior Project Assistant at the MEM Summer Summit, after her previous experience as a volunteer for the project.
Diana is finishing her Bachelor of Science in Communication, with a minor in public communication.
She is also working for the Institutional Communication Service of USI and for the Centro Competenze Non Profit in Ticino.
Diana is the Director of the students association journal L’universo, insert of Corriere del Ticino and the Vice-president of the Students Council of USI.
In the past she has worked for the Institute of Public Health of USI and for the Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care of SUPSI, as junior assistant in health-related research projects.
During the last years she has gained major experience in event organisation and social media management.
FEDERICA FREDIANI
Project Leader
Federica Frediani is a lecturer at the Università della Svizzera italiana. She is a member of the Project Committee and the Project Leader for the Middle East Mediterranean Summit. Dr. Frediani earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Università di Siena.
Her research primarily explores representations, narratives, cultural productions, and the political and intercultural dynamics of the Middle East Mediterranean region. She has published various books and articles, with a particular focus on women's travel literature and the cultural and political relationships between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean.
MONICA GUGOLZ
Project Manager
Monica Gugolz is a Master graduate with a degree in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva. After finishing her studies, she began her career in the international field, managing development cooperation projects and consultancy mandates in emerging contexts such as Bangladesh, Rwanda and Vietnam. She is currently working as a Project Manager and facilitator for the MEM Summer Summit.
MONICA STEGER
Administrative Assistant
Monica Steger has over 22 years of experience in university administrative support. While assisting in the administration of the Rectorate office at the Università della Svizzera italiana, she is also occupied with the general administration of the MEM Summer Summit.
FEDRICO DI FOGGIA
Project Assistant
Federico Di Foggia holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in International Policies. He is currently working as a Project Assistant for the MEM Summit.
ERIC MALIN
Project Assistant
Eric Malin holds a Bachelor's degree in International Science, Development and Cooperation and is currently pursuing a double Master's degree in Economics and International Policy. He is the author of articles on international politics, with a focus on the regions of Western Europe and the Middle East. He currently works as a Project Assistant for the MEM Summit.
BRANISLAVA TRIFKOVIC
Project Coordinator
Branislava Trifkovic has an academic background in history and literature, (BA University of Geneva and MA Goldsmiths College), with a focus revolving around the dynamic interplay between history and memory. After a first working experience at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, she currently serves as scientific collaborator at Università della Svizzera italiana. Here, she delves into projects exploring the risks and opportunities of the digital transition in higher education, alongside initiatives fostering dialogue nationally and internationally. She also engages as a cultural operator, as part of the team running an interdisciplinary residency project, trying to establish a dialogue between art, science, politics and civil society.