BYLAW

Bylaw

Interdepartmental Marine Pharmacology Center

The Interdepartmental Marine Pharmacology Center is hereby established. Marine pharmacology is a field of science dedicated to the discovery and study of molecules of pharmaceutical interest, both for human and veterinary use, derived from the marine environment.

Article 1 Objectives

1. The Marine Pharmacology Center (hereinafter referred to as the “Center”) is established as an “Interdepartmental Research Center” pursuant to Article 39 of the Statute and Articles 130 et seq. of the General Regulations of the University.

In line with its objectives outlined in the following paragraph, the Center may also organize conferences, seminars, and other similar educational initiatives, and may offer services.

The Center includes the following departments: Pharmacy and Biology.

2. The main objectives of the Center are to:

promote and coordinate interdisciplinary research focused on the identification, extraction, and chemical and pharmacological characterization of marine-derived molecules for novel pharmaceutical applications, including the genetics of their sources; studies aiming to modify the pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic properties of such molecules, or to genetically modify the producing organisms to enhance yield, may also be of interest;
develop collaborative activities with the Interdepartmental Center for Nutraceuticals and other centers of the University of Pisa working in the field of health or other areas relevant to the Center’s research;
foster collaborations and synergies with other public and private research and non-research entities that can contribute in any way to marine pharmacology studies;
promote and support the transfer of technology and the enhancement of acquired knowledge, expertise, and research products;
promote the organization and implementation of research projects at regional, national, and international levels;
encourage postgraduate training initiatives;
promote dissemination activities regarding the Center’s research outcomes;
provide, through the hosting Department, support services and consultancy for institutions or companies interested in the study of marine-derived molecules for health-related applications.

Article 2 Resources

1. The Center utilizes the human, financial, and logistical resources, as well as the facilities and equipment, made available by the affiliated Departments, external public and private funding, contracts, agreements, donations, and any additional resources provided by the University.

2. For resources derived from patents, the University of Pisa’s Regulations concerning inventions made by its researchers shall apply.

Article 3 Affiliated Personnel

1. All faculty members from the founding Departments who are interested in the Center’s objectives and submit a request may join. Faculty from other University departments may also affiliate upon submission of a motivated request.

2. The application, with prior authorization from the home Department, pursuant to Article 132.2 of the General Regulations, is submitted to the Director of the Center, who presents it to the Council for approval.

3.The list of founding faculty members is attached to these Regulations.

4. Faculty withdrawal from the Center must be communicated to the Director, who will notify the Council. For a Department’s withdrawal, Article 132.3 of the General Regulations applies.

5. Technical staff provided by the Departments will also support the Center’s activities.

University institutions, public and private organizations, research entities, and the Pisa University Hospital may collaborate with the Center, upon signing specific agreements.

Article 4 Governing Bodies

1. The governing bodies of the Center are: the Director, the Council, and the Executive Committee.

Article 5 Director

1. The Director represents the Center and is responsible for initiating and promoting its activities. Specifically, the Director:

convenes and chairs the Council and ensures implementation of its resolutions;
oversees the Center’s operations, coordinating the work of the technical-administrative staff provided by the Departments, in accordance with Article 17.2 of the University Statute;
prepares an annual report on the Center’s operations, submits it to the Council for approval, and forwards it to the affiliated Departments and the University administration;
appoints a Deputy Director from among the full-time faculty members of the Council, who shall act as substitute in case of absence or impediment.

2. The Director is elected by the Council members from among the full-time tenured faculty, following the procedure established in Article 24.5 of the Statute for the election of Department Directors, and is appointed by Rectoral Decree. The term of office is three academic years, renewable once consecutively.

Article 6 Council

1. The Council is composed of:

the faculty members affiliated with the Center;

one representative of the technical-administrative staff assigned by the affiliated Departments;

one PhD student/research fellow per affiliated Department, appointed from among their peers.

2. The administrative officer of the Department responsible for the Center’s management attends Council meetings in the role of recording secretary.

3. All technical-administrative staff assigned to the Center by the affiliated Departments, whether with permanent or fixed-term contracts of at least two years, are eligible to vote and be elected as representatives. Elections are called by the Center Director with at least 10 days’ notice. Voting is by secret ballot with a single preference. A quorum of 30% participation is required; if not reached, the vote is not counted and will not be repeated. The candidate with the most votes is elected. In case of a tie or replacement due to any reason, the rules of the Department’s internal regulations apply.

4. Elected (and appointed) representatives are formally appointed by the Center Director.

5. Technical-administrative representatives serve a four-year term; PhD student/research fellow representatives serve a two-year term.

6. For meeting validity and resolutions, Article 51 of the University Statute applies. Meetings may also be held via teleconference or with other digital means, provided all participants can connect simultaneously.

Article 7 Functions of the Council

1. The Council is the decision-making and planning body of the Center.

2. The Council operates under the rules established by the Statute and, where compatible, by the provisions of these Regulations for governing bodies. Specifically, the Council shall:

review any requests for the use of Center resources by University entities or external bodies and approve them within the limits of available commitments;
formulate activity plans, aligned with the Center’s objectives, to be submitted to the managing Department for the allocation of resources through approval of budgets and investments;
ensure that the Center’s collaborations are consistent with its missio;
propose agreements with public and private entities.

Article 8 Executive Committee

1. The Executive Committee assists the Director in performing duties and conducts preliminary evaluations on all matters concerning the Center.

2. The Executive Committee consists of the Director, the Deputy Director, and an equal number of faculty members from each affiliated Department (4 per Department), appointed by the respective Departments from among the Center-affiliated faculty. The administrative officer of the managing Department attends the meetings as recording secretary without voting rights.

3. The Executive Committee remains in office for the entire term of the Director.

4. The functioning of the Executive Committee follows Article 51 of the Statute.

Article 9 Administrative and Financial Management

1. The Center’s operations comply with the Statute and the regulations of the University of Pisa.

2. Administrative and financial management is the responsibility of the hosting Department.

3. The applicable university rules and regulations, insofar as compatible, govern the Center’s administration and finance.

4. The Center’s activities are supported by the coordinated work of technical-administrative staff and the use of spaces, facilities, equipment, services, and other resources provided by the affiliated Departments or otherwise acquired.

Article 10 Managing Department and Headquarters

1. The Department responsible for managing the Center is the Department to which the Director belongs. According to the University’s administrative, financial, and accounting regulations, all administrative, financial, and legal tasks necessary for the Center’s operations are carried out by this hosting Department.

Article 11 Final Provisions

1. These Regulations are approved by the Council with an absolute majority and are subject to the control procedures required by the University regulations. They are enacted by Rectoral Decree and enter into force on the fifteenth day following publication in the University’s Official Register. The Regulations will also be available on the University website

2. Amendments to these Regulations follow the same procedure as outlined above.

3. Matters not covered by these Regulations shall be governed by the general University regulations, the Statute, and the other University rules.