Mapei renews its commitment to support scientific research alongside Fondazione AIRC, the leading non-profit organization for funding independent oncological research in Italy. The company once again supports a My First AIRC Grant research project, which it has chosen to dedicate to Giorgio Squinzi and Adriana Spazzoli, in support of young researchers engaged in their first independent research project.

The funding has been awarded to Donatella Delle Cave, a researcher at the National Research Council (CNR) in Naples, to study the role of the tumor matrix in the progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer, one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat and with a prognosis that remains particularly unfavorable today.

“We are particularly committed to projects in collaboration with AIRC, which we wanted to dedicate to our parents Giorgio and Adriana, who passed away prematurely. For Mapei, supporting scientific research means looking to the future and investing in new generations. Through the My First AIRC Grant, we want to offer concrete opportunities to young researchers to foster lasting progress and build a better future”, states Veronica Squinzi, Chief Executive Officer of Mapei.

“Philanthropy expresses its maximum potential when it translates into a commitment capable of generating value for the entire community. The support of organizations like Mapei is valuable not only for the amount of donations, but for the long-term vision that accompanies them, ensuring continuity and stability to research. Fondazione AIRC adopts a rigorous, transparent and merit-based system for selecting projects and talent, offering donors the assurance of effective use of resources. This is how a virtuous partnership is born: thanks to the support of private individuals, foundations and companies. Philanthropy provides the means, AIRC identifies the best projects and researchers transform them into concrete results”, adds Chiara Occulti, Chief Marketing & Fundraising Officer of Fondazione AIRC for Cancer Research.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Squinzi family, through Mapei, for choosing to support my five-year project dedicated to the study of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), one of the most aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer. Their contribution to Fondazione AIRC represents essential support to ensure continuity to our research, which aims to understand the role of the extracellular matrix in the processes of disease growth and spread, with the objective of identifying new therapeutic targets and developing more targeted treatment strategies. It is a support that goes beyond economic value: it represents a strong signal of confidence in scientific research and the commitment of us young researchers”, concludes Donatella Delle Cave, National Research Council, Naples.

The My First AIRC Grant represents a fundamental tool to support talented young scientists in their transition towards scientific independence, guaranteeing resources, autonomy and rigor in project evaluation through the international peer review system.

Over the years, Mapei has supported AIRC in a path of support for research against pancreatic cancer, supporting, before this project, another My First AIRC Grant and a three-year scholarship, all dedicated to Giorgio Squinzi and Adriana Spazzoli. Through this commitment, the company confirms its willingness to invest in the future of scientific research, in line with the values of corporate social responsibility and attention to people that have always guided Mapei.

In the photo: Donatella Delle Cave and Veronica Squinzi