Institute for Scientific Interchange
Encyclopedia
Institute for Scientific Interchange (shortened to ISI Foundation or simply ISI and sometimes pronounced 'izzy') is an independent, resident-based research institute known for work in complexity science, theoretical
and mathematical physics
located in Torino, Italy
. ISI was founded in 1983 and its mission focuses on promoting scientific interchange and cooperation at the highest degree of quality both in terms of creativity and originality of research and to represent a pillar of high level interdisciplinary training.
. The aim is to create a new connection between basic and applied science, helping to face and solve some of the essential issues of contemporary society. The challenge of complexity
has now become a sort of paradigm of modernity, and Torino and Piemonte have nowadays become one of the most important international locations in such fundamental research. Thanks to the support of the public founding members and to the precious and continuous cooperation with the CRT Foundation (in particular with the Lagrange Project) and the San Paolo Company, the ISI Foundation was able to tackle, by new frontiers research projects, bold paths, settling itself among the main research centres for complexity. The success and richness of the research work at the ISI Foundation resides primarily in the “human factor” encompassing the scientific and personal value of its scientific and administrative staff, as well as the complex web of human relations that everyday brings the institute to life.
, statistical physics
and quantum physics research, attracting a diverse community of resident and visiting scientists from around the world.
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
and mathematical physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
located in Torino, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. ISI was founded in 1983 and its mission focuses on promoting scientific interchange and cooperation at the highest degree of quality both in terms of creativity and originality of research and to represent a pillar of high level interdisciplinary training.
History and mission
The ISI Foundation was founded and supported by the Regional Government, the Province and City of Turin, and by the two major Bank institutions in Piedmont: Compagnia di San Paolo and the CRT Foundation. Its core mission is the promotion of scientific research within the international cooperation, fostering the creation of research groups and of innovative and interdisciplinary labs, with a special focus on the science of complex systemsComplex systems
Complex systems present problems in mathematical modelling.The equations from which complex system models are developed generally derive from statistical physics, information theory and non-linear dynamics, and represent organized but unpredictable behaviors of systems of nature that are considered...
. The aim is to create a new connection between basic and applied science, helping to face and solve some of the essential issues of contemporary society. The challenge of complexity
Complexity
In general usage, complexity tends to be used to characterize something with many parts in intricate arrangement. The study of these complex linkages is the main goal of complex systems theory. In science there are at this time a number of approaches to characterizing complexity, many of which are...
has now become a sort of paradigm of modernity, and Torino and Piemonte have nowadays become one of the most important international locations in such fundamental research. Thanks to the support of the public founding members and to the precious and continuous cooperation with the CRT Foundation (in particular with the Lagrange Project) and the San Paolo Company, the ISI Foundation was able to tackle, by new frontiers research projects, bold paths, settling itself among the main research centres for complexity. The success and richness of the research work at the ISI Foundation resides primarily in the “human factor” encompassing the scientific and personal value of its scientific and administrative staff, as well as the complex web of human relations that everyday brings the institute to life.
Research
ISI is a major centre for complex networks, complexity science, mathematical physicsMathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
, statistical physics
Statistical physics
Statistical physics is the branch of physics that uses methods of probability theory and statistics, and particularly the mathematical tools for dealing with large populations and approximations, in solving physical problems. It can describe a wide variety of fields with an inherently stochastic...
and quantum physics research, attracting a diverse community of resident and visiting scientists from around the world.
Joint masters-level program
The ISI Foundation engages in a growing number of projects on higher education, both directly, such as the Master in Epidemiology, and indirectly, for example by means of the Lagrange Scholarships.Doctoral studies
ISI also hosts exceptional PhD students wishing to pursue full-time graduate studies under the supervision of an ISI faculty member. PhD students receive their doctoral degrees from a university partner, which can range in locations.Courses
ISI offers a number of planned courses each year, including cross-listed programs with universities and mini-courses given by ISI Faculty, Associate Faculty, and Visiting Researchers.Facilities
The long time experience of ISI in the organisation of international workshops, schools and meetings, together with the high quality research activity it promotes, offer a stimulating scientific environment where to organise outreach activities and attract international scientists for visiting periods in order to disseminate the results of the ongoing project. The Institute is provided with technological, scientific and accommodation facilities for these events.Board of trustees
- Mario Rasetti --- President
- Valentino CastellaniValentino CastellaniValentino Castellani was the independent mayor of Turin, Italy from July 22, 1993-May 31, 2001, when he led the centre-left coalition. He is also a noted university professor and alumni of the Polytechnic University of Turin...
--- Regione Piemonte - Pietro Terna --- Provincia di Torino
- Piero FassinoPiero FassinoPietro Franco "Piero" Fassino is an Italian politician with the Democratic Party, the current Mayor of Turin and a former national secretary of the Democrats of the Left party.-Biography:...
--- Città di Torino - Giovanni Ferrero --- Fondazione CRT
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board is an independent body whose role is to define and provide strategic research lines. By continuously monitoring the research activities of the Foundation's research, it guarantees the high quality of its scientific production.- Christopher Barrett --- Virginia Tech., VA
- Charles BennettCharles H. Bennett (computer scientist)Charles H. Bennett is an IBM Fellow at IBM Research. Bennett's recent work at IBM has concentrated on a re-examination of the physical basis of information, applying quantum physics to the problems surrounding information exchange...
--- IBM, NY - David CampbellDavid Campbell-Politics:*David Campbell , Governor of Virginia*David Campbell *David Campbell , South Belfast M.P.*David Campbell , former New South Wales Transport Minister...
--- Boston University, MA - Mitchell FeigenbaumMitchell FeigenbaumMitchell Jay Feigenbaum is a mathematical physicist whose pioneering studies in chaos theory led to the discovery of the Feigenbaum constants.- Biography :...
--- Rockefeller University, NY - Julian Hunt --- University College of London, UK
- Tomaso PoggioTomaso PoggioTomaso Armando Poggio, born in Genoa, Italy, is the Eugene McDermott Professor in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, an investigator at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research, a member of the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the director of The Center...
--- M.I.T., Cambridge - Frank Schweitzer --- ETH Zurich, CH
- Mario Rasetti --- President