Six years ago, we started from scratch, in the midst of the pandemic: no active laboratories, no established services, no dedicated team. Today, CRIMAC is a vibrant centre, constantly growing, designed to carry out research and to serve as a point of reference not only in the Calabria region but across the entire national and international scientific landscape.
The transformation of the building, which was originally established as a sailing centre, was the response to a specific need: to create a facility in Calabria designed to enhance the research infrastructure of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.
Over the past few years, we have:
• launched an internal call for proposals for projects on Calabrian marine systems (in collaboration with universities and research centres);
• invested in people and skills: staff numbers increased from 4 to 28, and around 50 research grants and scholarships were awarded;
• established expertise in biodiversity, ecology, environmental impacts and marine biotechnology;
• contributed, through the activities of the CRIMAC projects on the Amendolara’s Bank, to the establishment of the Regional Marine Park;
• strengthened its presence in the local area through informative workshops, initiatives with schools, events and educational programmes.
CRIMAC is the result of the research it hosts and the network of people and organisations that make it possible. Our thanks go to everyone who contributes every day: the journey continues, with new initiatives and further improvements already planned.
