Newswise — Italian-American Foundation, Filitalia, honors Antonio Giordano, MD, PhD, Founder & President of Sbarro Health Research Organization at Temple University with the Humanitarian award at the foundation’s 31st Anniversary Gala.
Filitalia International & Foundation celebrates 31 years of commitment, dedication and service at their Annual Gala Dinner on Sunday, November 11, 2018. The foundation and its donors have contributed to initiatives championed by the Italian American community in the Greater Philadelphia area, among them the opening of the History of Italian Immigration Museum in 2014.
”The mission of this foundation is to help promote the talent of Italian-Americans in various industries and disciplines,” Giordano says, “ and considering that historically, Italy has generated great discoveries in the arts, medicine, and business, it is vital for us to carry on that tradition and maintain that legacy in the modern world.”
“To be recognized as an example of the contribution of Italian-Americans in this country, by a foundation that was created by other professional, successful Italians, is a great honor,” says Giordano.
In 1993, Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., founded the Sbarro Institute with a generous donation from Mario Sbarro, the Founder of the Sbarro restaurant chain, following Dr. Giordano’s discovery of the tumor suppressor gene pRb2. Giordano now serves as Director of the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center of Biotechnology, at the College of Science and Technology, Temple University, as well as Professor of Pathology at the University of Siena, Italy.
Giordano recently organized the medical conference, “The Impact of Environment and Healthy Lifestyles in Human Health,” at the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) annual convention, with awards for achievement in medicine presented from the Giovan Giacomo Giordano Foundation.
The research team lead by Giordano continues to make significant medical breakthroughs, including recent studies on the identification of a potential target for treatment of mesothelioma, understanding a protein that governs cell death in cancer, and further potential of the CDK9 gene to control the cell cycle.
The Filitalia International & Foundation celebrates their 31st anniversary with other honorees including Lee Norelli, AP Construction - President, UNICO National, and Dr. Louis De Angelo, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Wilmington, DE.
About Filitalia International & Foundation
Filitalia International is a non profit organization, founded in 1987 to promote and preserve the Italian tradition, language and culture worldwide. The goal is to consolidate and expand the Italian heritage through social events and humanitarian programs. Filitalia is committed in several projects, such as scholarships, Italian language classes, networking for young professionals and cultural events, by encouraging anyone to learn more about Italy and its heritage.
The Filitalia Foundation 501 (c) 3 opened the History of Italian Immigration Museum with the aim to sustain Italian-American heritage through stories that resonate with diverse cultures, connecting the Italian-American community with its cultural roots, and sharing Italian heritage with people of all backgrounds.
The organization was founded by cardiologist Dr. Pasquale Nestico, inspired by a love for his birthplace, Isca sullo Ionio, in Calabria, Italy. Nestico is joined in leading the foundation by past president Rosetta Miriello, and incoming president Marc Virga.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Marc Virga
Founder Pasquale F. Nestico, M.D.
Immediate Past President Rosetta Miriello
1st Vice President Paula DeSantics-Bonavitacola
2nd Vice & Governor Henry Amanto
Secretary Alexis Tulio
Treasurer Gianfranco Buonamici
Legal Counsel Joseph Rollo, Esq.
Auditor Ernest DiFilippo
Board Members
Anthony Colavita, MD - Joseph D'Ascenzo, Esq.
Anna Di Paola - Anna Di Nardo
Saverio Nestico - Giacomo Presta
Mario Presta - Salvatore Rosati - Nicholas Santangelo
Executive Director
Marco Circelli
About the Sbarro Health Research Organization
The Sbarro Health Research Organization (SHRO) is non-profit charity committed to funding excellence in basic genetic research to cure and diagnose cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other chronic illnesses and to foster the training of young doctors in a spirit of professionalism and humanism. To learn more about the SHRO please visit www.shro.org
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