Teodoro Valente is an expert in polymer composites and nanotechnology. He has had a long career in the academic community. He graduated in mechanical engineering from La Sapienza University, Rome, and was subsequently appointed professor of materials science and technology at the University for several years, also serving as Vice-Chancellor. He has served as President of the National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), with a membership of 46 Italian universities, as well as Director of CNR’s Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, and has worked in the Research and Development Directorate of the EU Commission and the private sector.