The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in Western Europe. It has 11 Schools, 33 Departments and around 87,000 students. The University has 7 Interdepartmental Centers dedicated to industrial research contributing to the High Technology Network of Emilia-Romagna.

Diego Marazza is a researcher in the Department of Physics. He works on models and systems analysis applied to the treatment, regeneration, reuse and recycling of production waste for innovative products, carbon removal and energy. His recent activities include carbon sequestration capacity through the use of biochar, second-generation carbons, and the study of methods for mapping residual biomass, industrial emissions, and waste. He has also conducted long-term experiments on the agronomic application of biochar and soil quality indicators. He is a member of the Mission Soil Board. Within his organisation, he leads the environmental management research group and is the Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Innovation Platform for Waste Valorisation and Future Energy Supply at the University of Bologna (FIP-WE@UNIBO).