Marco Agozzino selected for the Fulbright and Roberto Rocca Fellowship.
Marco Agozzino, a PhD candidate in the STEN doctoral program at the Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, will spend a research period at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) thanks to two prestigious international programs supporting scientific mobility.
Two Prestigious Awards Supporting International Research
An important international achievement has recognized the research path of Marco Agozzino, a PhD candidate in the Science and Technology of Energy and Nuclear Science (STEN) doctoral program at the Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, and a member of the Micro- and Nanostructured Materials (NanoLab) research group.
Marco has been selected as a Fulbright Visiting Student Researcher for the 2026/2027 academic year and has also been awarded a Roberto Rocca Doctoral Fellowship, which will enable him to spend a research period at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), one of the world’s leading institutions for scientific research and technological innovation.
In support of this international experience, he has also been selected by Fondazione Zegna for the Ermenegildo Zegna Founder’s Scholarship, a program that funds study and research opportunities at some of the world’s most prestigious universities and research centers. The scholarship aims to support outstanding young Italian researchers while encouraging them to return to Italy after completing their international experience.
The Fulbright Program is one of the world’s most prestigious international initiatives promoting academic, scientific, and cultural exchange between Italy and the United States. Each year, it supports outstanding students, researchers, and faculty members selected on the basis of academic excellence. The Roberto Rocca Doctoral Fellowship, established within the collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and MIT, provides funding for research stays at the U.S. institution, fostering high-level scientific collaboration.
Research on Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
Marco Agozzino’s research focuses on Carbon Atomic Wires (CAWs), nanomaterials composed of linear chains of carbon atoms whose electronic and optical properties can be finely tuned. These unique characteristics make CAWs a promising platform for applications in optoelectronics and advanced energy technologies.
During his PhD, Marco investigates the charge-transfer mechanisms that govern the behavior of these materials using advanced Raman spectroscopy techniques. His goal is to understand and control their properties for the development of innovative devices. His academic advisor is Professor Valeria Russo, while his PhD supervisor is Professor Carlo S. Casari.
During his research stay at MIT, Marco will join the Research Laboratory of Electronics (rLe), where he will work under the supervision of Professor Marc Baldo. His research will focus on carbon-based nanomaterials for applications in Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs). This experience will provide an important opportunity for scientific growth while strengthening the international collaborations of the research group.
Reception at the Quirinale
As part of the Fulbright Program activities, Marco Agozzino also took part in the institutional events organized by the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission, culminating in a reception at the Quirinale Palace, where Fulbright grantees were welcomed by President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella during the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program (Learn more)
Marco’s achievement also contributes to a significant result for Politecnico di Milano. Among the recipients of the 2026/2027 Fulbright awards is Alessandro Paravano, a researcher in the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, who will carry out a research stay at The Ohio State University.
The selection of two scholars from Politecnico di Milano as Fulbright grantees highlights the excellence of the University’s research and its ability to compete successfully in some of the world’s most prestigious international programs supporting academic mobility and scientific collaboration.
