It seems to me yesterday when, as a second year student at the University of Bologna Law School (in Bologna, Italy), I decided I wanted to pursue a career in Commercial Law and Intellectual Property. One of the reasons was that I liked the topic probably more than many others in law school. Another (and as powerful) reason, however, was that my professor–Vito Mangini–inspired me, and made the topic more interesting than many others in law school. Since then, Vito Mangini became the most important mentor I have ever had in my academic career, the person who guided my professional life until I came to the United States (and to Marquette!).

During the following years, Professor Mangini was the supervisor of my undergraduate thesis and later of my doctoral dissertation. He then was the mastermind behind every scholarship and fellowship I have applied for (to study in the U.S., the U.K., etc.), always thinking about my career and how to help me in succeeding. When I moved from Bologna to the States he was proud and happy, and was the first one supporting and pushing me in accepting this great challenge and opportunity.