The Italian Ambassador to the United States, Mariangela Zappia, presented the honor of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic to Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest biomedical research agency, last night in Washington.

“It is truly a great pleasure to be able to bestow such a prestigious recognition upon Monica Bertagnolli during the month when we celebrate Italian-American heritage in the United States. As the granddaughter of Italian immigrants, her story exemplifies the extraordinary contributions made to this country by those who have come from Italy,” commented the Ambassador. “The strategic partnership between Italy and the National Institutes of Health, under the leadership of Director Bertagnolli, has borne significant fruits in the field of research, opening doors to new collaborations between Italian and American researchers in areas such as biomedical sciences and public health.”

The ceremony at Villa Firenze was attended by the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Robert Califf, and senior officials from the National Institutes of Health.

An oncologist and researcher with unparalleled experience in cancer research, Bertagnolli was appointed NIH Director by President Biden after successfully leading the National Cancer Institute. She played a key role in the revival of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, an ambitious White House project to combat cancer, and in the launch of the 2023 National Cancer Plan. As a representative of the Italian-American community in the United States, Bertagnolli has brought visibility and recognition to Italy. She has always maintained strong professional ties with Italy, mentoring young Italian researchers and collaborating with the Italian Embassy in Washington on scientific projects and activities.