TALENT STORIES: FOURTH MASTER’S DEGREE IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS FOR SAMUELE CANNAS, YOUNG TALENT OF BOTH THE UNIVERSITY OF PISA AND THE SANT’ ANNA SCHOOL IN PISA
Samuele Cannas makes history as he has recently earned his Fifth Master’s Degree, the Fourth in less than three months, an unprecedented and unrivalled result. On Tuesday, October 26th 2021, this very young talent of both the University of Pisa and the Sant’Anna School in Pisa obtained the title of Doctor of Molecular Biotechnologies with full marks and honors. As in the other degrees, Samuele has completed such unique and impeccable course of study with an exceptional and unprecedented grade point average (GPA) of 30/30 Summa Cum Laude (equivalent to A+, according to the US Grading System). This new and last title follows the Master’s Degrees in Piano at the Music Conservatory “G.P. da Palestrina” of Cagliari, in Medicine and Surgery (July 2021), in Biotechnologies (September 2021) and in Engineering (October 2021), obtained at the University of Pisa. Samuele is now very close to fulfilling his goal. In December, after the Master’s Degree released by the Sant’ Anna School of Advanced Studies, he will be the first and only Italian student to have 6 university degrees at the early age of 25, all with full marks and honors.
An unprecedented path that Samuele Cannas has carefully built over the years in order to achieve his noble goal in the fight against the tumors of the gastrointestinal system, with a particular reference to pancreatic and hepatic malignancies. Furthermore, from 2022, Samuele will be continuing his advanced studies in abdominal and HPB (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary) surgery in the USA.
"I cannot put into words how grateful I am to the University of Pisa and the Sant’ Anna School of Advanced Studies - said Samuele Cannas - which gave me the unparalleled opportunity to grow and develop in an extraordinarily stimulating environment, based on meritocracy, on mutual comparison with others and on the research and promotion of excellence, at all levels. The Master’s degrees are simply the means I have chosen to address a complex issue, which is the study of intestinal surgical pathologies, with a holistic approach, incorporating the skills of the surgeon, the biotechnologist and the engineer and amalgamating them together, strengthening them mutually. I heartily hope that many young students may find inspiration in my example to carry out multidisciplinary studies. Not to achieve meaningless records or for the sake of vain glory, but because I sincerely believe that this cross-sectoral approach is the new paradigm in the medicine of the future ".
On Tuesday, October 26th 2021, the graduation discussion was held in presence at the “Le Benedettine” Congress Center in Pisa. Those in attendance included, among others, the Rector of the University of Pisa, Paolo Mancarella; Professor Pierdomenico Perata, Delegate of the Rector of the Sant’Anna School Sabina Nuti; Professor Fabio Anastasio Recchia, tutor and Professor of Samuele Cannas at the Sant’ Anna School of Advanced Studies; the surgeon Carlo Maria Rosati and the neuroscientist of the University of Cambridge Giulio Deangeli, Samuele's best friend and his fellow student in Pisa.
"Samuele is certainly a rare talent - commented the Rector of the University of Pisa, Paolo Mancarella - but he is also the truthful demonstration that, with constant dedication and passion, even the most ambitious and unthinkable goals can be achieved. At a time when our country needs exemplary stories more than ever as a source of inspiration, Samuele’s unique achievement, as that of Giulio Deangeli, is certainly one of them ".
"Congratulations to Samuele for achieving this new unprecedented goal, thanks to his commitment and unconditional determination, as well as to the public institutions which have been able to enhance his talent with a world-class training course - said Sabina Nuti, Rector of the Sant'Anna School – Samuele’s example is a source of encouragement for other young students wishing to continue their studies from the perspective of multidisciplinarity, hoping they will put their interdisciplinary skills at the service of the community. Our country needs talents capable of making a difference to improve people's lives and Samuele surely is a fixed point of reference".
Already a member of the Aspen Institute and awarded with the title of Ensign of the Republic, conferred by the Italian President Sergio Mattarella as first over the 25 best Italian students, Samuele Cannas has recently received the Socrates Award 2021 at the world-renowned Palazzo Altieri in Rome and he has also been gifted with the Italian Excellence Award 2021, designed with the noble mission of rewarding the best Italian talents and leading personalities globally.
