Workshops & Courses

A number of lectures and workshops are planned. If you are interested in proposing a workshop and/or a course, please send your proposal to contact@med-life.org. The approved workshop(s) and course(s) are listed below (click to open and consult the Conference Program for the date and hour of each course and workshop).


Courses

Course 1: CIRAm MedLIFE Winter School

CIRAm MedLIFE Winter School includes transversal research topics underway within Biosustainability track and is proposed at MedLIFE-2024 by the Interdepartmental Research Center for the Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), of Federico II University (Italy). The objective is to provide graduate students and young scientists with useful information toward understanding how the synergy between different disciplines and the interdisciplinary approach are fundamental elements for achieving the SDGs and, above all, to propose an emphasis on new research approaches to be applied to handle the challenging environmental issues that our society will be called upon to face in the coming decades.

Conveners

Giulia Guerriero

Giulia Guerriero

Coordinator on the Board of Coordinators of the Mediterraneanand Middle East Universities Network Agreement (MUNA)
Topical Chief Editor, Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration (Springer)
Associate Editor, Chemosphere (Elsevier)
Associate Editor, European Zoological Journal (Taylor & Francis)
Associate Editor, specialty: Biodiversity, Frontiers for Young Minds (Frontiers)
Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Society of Reproduction and Comparative Endocrinology (SRBCE)
Asia and Oceania Society of Comparative Endocrinology (AOSCE)
President of the Interdepartmental Research Center for Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Domenico Pirozzi

Domenico Pirozzi

Interdepartmental Research Center for Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Invited Speakers

Lecture 1: Perennial crops for the sustainable remediation of contaminated soil

Massimo Fagnano

Massimo Fagnano

Mediterranean and Middle East Universities Network Agreement (MUNA)
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Interdepartmental Research Center for Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Lecture 2: Plants as biomonitors of microplastics: recent findings and perspectives

Simonetta Giordano

Simonetta Giordano

Department of Biology, MUNA and Interdepartmental Research Center for Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Lecture 3: Sustainable use of resources employing environmental-omics and metagenomics analysis

Federica Carraturo

Federica Carraturo

Interdepartmental Research Center for Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Mediterranean and Middle East Universities Network Agreement (MUNA)
Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Centro Servizi Metrologici e Tecnologici Avanzati (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Lecture 4: Bioprospecting of the Mediterranean vegetation for its sustainable exploitation in the production of biofuels

Domenico Pirozzi

Domenico Pirozzi

Interdepartmental Research Center for Environment, IRCEnv (CIRAm), University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Partner

ciram

Course 2: MedLIFE Winter School on Observation Systems and AI Techniques in Marine Ecosystem

Despite the implementation of the Paris Agreement, all climate models project significant state changes in the oceans by the end of this century, including but not limited to rising water temperatures, acidification, and low oxygen levels. Under this scenario, coral reefs, kelp, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds rank among the most vulnerable marine and coastal ecosystems to climate change. Meanwhile, as a massive carbon reservoir, marine ecosystems can also contribute to slow down the pace of climate change. Our winter school will teach junior scientists and graduate students to use integrated observation systems and AI-driven ocean forecast to understand the marine ecological dynamics under the warming climate, to identify hotspots of vulnerability and resilience and to identify management interventions that may assist marine ecosystem resilience to climate change.

Conveners

Zhihua Zhang

Zhihua Zhang

Taishan Distinguished Professor
Editor-in-Chief of Int. J. Big Data Mining for Global Warming (World Scientific)
Associate Editor of Environ. Dev. Sustain. (Springer)
Associate Editor of EURASIP J. Adv. Signal. Process. (Springer)
Associate Editor of Int. J. Climate Change Strat. & Manag. (Emerald) 
Editorial Board Member of Earth Science Informatics (Springer)
Member of Education Committee of International Coral Reef Society
Shandong University, China
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Nabil Khélifi

Nabil Khélifi

Founder of EMCEI, MedGU, and MedLIFE
Ministerial Advisor for Scientific Publishing
Expert Publisher & Journal Development Manager
Recipient of the Africa Green Future Leadership Award (Mauritius, 2016)
Recipient of the Saudi Society for Geosciences Award (Saudi Arabia, 2020)
DAAD Alumni Fellow, Germany
GEOMAR Kiel Former Researcher, Germany
Springer Former Senior Publishing Editor, Germany
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Invited Speakers

Zhihua Zhang

Zhihua Zhang

Taishan Distinguished Professor
Editor-in-Chief of Int. J. Big Data Mining for Global Warming (World Scientific)
Associate Editor of Environ. Dev. Sustain. (Springer)
Associate Editor of EURASIP J. Adv. Signal. Process. (Springer)
Associate Editor of Int. J. Climate Change Strat. & Manag. (Emerald) 
Editorial Board Member of Earth Science Informatics (Springer)
Member of Education Committee of International Coral Reef Society
Shandong University, China
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James Crabbe

James Crabbe

Founding Editor of Computational Biology and Chemistry (Elsevier) 
Fellow of the Society of Biology (UK)
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (UK)
Fellow of the Linnean Society (UK)
Former Chair of Education Committee of International Coral Reef Society
Wolfson College, Oxford University, UK
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Luis Eduardo Calderon-Aguilera

Luis Eduardo Calderon-Aguilera

Council Member of International Coral Reef Society
Chair of Education Committee of International Coral Reef Society
Review Editor of Frontiers in Marine Science (Frontiers)
Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education (CICESE), Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
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Course 3: CIMA Health Academy

Children Immunization App (CIMA) Health Academy offers an online educational platform dedicated to advancing global healthcare standards. Currently focused on Rwanda, Cameroon, and Lebanon, with expansion plans, our courses empower nurses and healthcare administrators with advanced clinical skills and continuous professional development. Through accessible, interactive, and practical training modules, CIMA Health Academy is committed to transforming healthcare education, promoting superior child vaccination practices, and fostering professional growth.

The course covers six primary modules, each addressing crucial aspects of vaccination programs. For additional information, please see our CIMA brochure and announcement.

Conveners

Ziad El-Khatib

Ziad El-Khatib

Department of Global Public Health, Kaorlinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
World Health Programme, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), Québec, Canada
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Workshops

Workshop 1: Hapttitude: Unlocking the Attitude of Happiness

Description:

This one-day workshop on "Hapttitude: Cultivating the Attitude of Happiness," is designed to address the growing need for mental well-being in our fast-paced and ever-changing world. The workshop aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3) on good health and well-being, focusing on enhancing resilience, emotional intelligence, and overall happiness.

With global mental health concerns on the rise, impacting nearly 1 billion people (WHO, 2021), and the increasing pressures in workplaces, this workshop offers participants practical tools to manage stress and build a positive mindset. By integrating insights from STEM, we provide evidence-based strategies that contribute to long-term happiness and sustainable success.

Workshop Highlights:

  • Understanding Happiness Zones and Paradoxes
  • Building Mental Resilience and Willpower
  • Discovering Emotional Signatures
  • Fostering Positive Relationships
  • Cultivating a Happiness-Oriented Workplace Culture

Target Audience:
Professionals, Educators, Managers, HR Leaders, and anyone interested in enhancing happiness and well-being in personal and professional life.

Objectives:

  • To explore the paradox of happiness and how different zones affect our well-being.
  • To empower participants with techniques to build willpower and resilience.
  • To help participants discover their emotional signature and its impact on their lives.
  • To highlight the significance of relationships in fostering happiness.
  • To begin cultivating a workplace culture that prioritizes happiness and well-being.

Workshop Agenda:

  • Morning Session: Laying the Foundation

Session 1: Introduction to Hapttitude

  • Understanding Hapttitude: Definition and Relevance
  • The Science Behind Happiness
  • Setting Personal and Professional Happiness Goals

Session 2: Zones and Paradox of Happiness

  • Identifying the Happiness Zones
  • The Paradox of Happiness
  • Interactive Exercises: Mapping Your Happiness Zones

Session 3: Building Will Over Mind

  • Strategies to Strengthen Mental Resilience and Willpower
  • Mindfulness Practices to Stay Focused and Committed
  • Overcoming Common Obstacles to Happiness
  • Afternoon Session: Deepening the Practice

Session 4: Discover Emotional Signature

  • Understanding Emotional Signatures: What They Are and Why They Matter
  • Identifying Your Emotional Triggers and Patterns
  • Tools and Techniques to Manage Emotions Effectively

Session 5: From Conflict to Connection

  • The Impact of Relationships on Happiness
  • Building Positive Connections Through Effective Communication and Empathy
  • Techniques for Conflict Resolution and Maintaining Healthy Relationships

Session 6: Developing Hapttitude

  • Practical Tips to Integrate Hapttitude into Daily Life
  • Personal Action Plan: Setting Goals for Ongoing Happiness
  • Group Activity: Collaborative Exercises to Reinforce Learning

Expected Outcomes:

  • A solid understanding of the Hapttitude concept and its practical application.
  • Tools and strategies to manage happiness in personal and professional life.
  • Enhanced emotional intelligence and resilience.
  • Improved relationships and communication skills.

Previous Workshops:

This workshop on Hapttitude was held in several universities in India and worldwide (Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA).


Facilitators

Pretty Bhalla

Pretty Bhalla

Recipient of Red Cross Society Scholarship
Mittal School of Business, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
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Rekhi Satinder Singh

Rekhi Satinder Singh

Founder of the Rekhi Happiness Foundation
Founding Member of the World Happiness Foundation
Recipient of President’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Service from California State University, Sacramento, USA
Recipient of Distinguished Alumni Award from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, India
Honorary Chairman, Rekhi Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness, IIT, Kharagpur, India
Advisor to Gross National Happiness Center Bhutan, Gopichand Badminton Academy, EQ World Singapore, Amity University India
Professor of Happiness (Adjunct Faculty) at Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi, India
Professor of Happiness at Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
Professor Emeritus by Chandigarh University, Punjab, India
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