Flavio Deflorian

Flavio Deflorian Overview

Flavio Deflorian, serving as the Rector of the University of Trento since April 1, 2021, has an academic journey. Born in Cavalese, Trento, on May 4, 1964, he is deeply rooted in the region. His term of office as Rector spans from 2021 to 2027.

Flavio Deflorian's educational path led him to excel in Materials Engineering, culminating in his graduation from the University of Trento. His passion for materials propelled him to pursue a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of Bologna. Further expanding his horizons, he acquired a Master's degree in Advanced Materials Technology from the University of Surrey in Guildford, UK.

As a testament to his academic prowess, Flavio Deflorian holds the position of a full professor at the University of Trento. Within this role, he imparts knowledge in areas such as Corrosion and protection of materials, as well as Materials science and technology at the Department of Industrial Engineering.

His dedication to the University of Trento is evident through his various institutional roles. Notably, he served as the University's delegate for the Erasmus project from 2010 to 2013. Subsequently, starting in April 2015, he assumed the responsibility of deputy vice-rector, where he actively supported the production system. His involvement in the academic community is longstanding; he has been a member of the Academic Senate on multiple occasions since 2013.

Beyond the university's borders, Flavio Deflorian's influence extends to institutions and foundations. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Fondazione Hub Innovazione Trentino (HIT) since 2015. In 2017, he joined the Strategic Board of EIT Digital (KIC), representing the Trento node, a position he currently chairs. Further, since 2018, he has been an esteemed member of the Board of Directors of Fondazione Bruno Kessler. In the role of Vice President, he actively contributes to the Foundation for the valorization of local research (FVRT, Fondazione per la valorizzazione della ricerca trentina).

Flavio Deflorian's academic journey commenced in 1994 at the University of Trento, where his research focused on durability, materials, surface engineering, and advanced electrochemical techniques for characterizing new materials. Since 2006, he has overseen the Coatings and Industrial Corrosion Control Laboratory at the Department of Industrial Engineering.

His contributions to academia are substantial, with over 200 scientific papers published in international specialized journals and books. Additionally, he has shared his expertise at numerous conferences worldwide as a speaker. As a guest editor, he has played a pivotal role in the publication of five special issues for specialized journals and three books.

Flavio Deflorian has been actively involved in international research projects, including coordinator roles. He has also participated in over a hundred international conferences and delivered 25 plenary and invited talks at conferences across the globe, including in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, and Iran. His academic impact extends beyond borders, as he has held positions as a visiting professor at esteemed institutions such as the University of Mons in Belgium and UNAM in Mexico.