Project Partners and Stakeholders

Partners

MEDICANES is led by the National Research Council - Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC)

Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC)

Italy

Institute of Marine Sciences (CNR-ISMAR)

Italy

ETH Zurich

Switzerland — Phase 1 partner. From Phase 2, this role is continued at HCMR.

Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier

France

Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS)

France

French national institute for ocean science and technology (IFREMER)

France

Mediterranean Center for Environmental Studies (CEAM)

Spain

INNUERE CONSULTING

Italy

GEO-K

Italy

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)

Greece

International Collaborators

CIMSS – Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA)

The collaboration with the Tropical Cyclone research group at CIMSS continues and is strengthened in Phase 2. In particular, Dr. Derrick Herndon — Associate Researcher at CIMSS since 2002 and developer of several algorithms used operationally by worldwide TC warning agencies — shares expertise and tools for the development of satellite-based intensity estimation algorithms, including the SATCON consensus framework and deep-learning approaches. A research visit by a CNR-ISAC scientist to CIMSS-UW-Madison is planned during Phase 2. This collaboration began during the COST Action MedCyclones and has deepened throughout both phases of the ESA MEDICANES project.

ESA Φ-lab (Frascati, Italy)

A methodological collaboration with the ESA Φ-lab (Phi-lab) provides support for the development of advanced AI tools within Phase 2. Φ-lab expertise in machine learning, foundation models, and multi-sensor EO data fusion supports the development of deep-learning intensity estimation frameworks and hybrid physics-data-driven models for medicane analysis. Prof. Fabio Del Frate (GEO-K / University of Rome "Tor Vergata"), a Visiting Professor at ESA ESRIN Φ-Lab since 2020, serves as a bridge between the project and the lab.

Princeton University

A key collaboration has been established between the National Research Council of Italy – Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate (CNR-ISAC) and Princeton University, fostering international cooperation in atmospheric science and Medicane research.

As part of this initiative, theHigh Meadows Environmental Institute (HMEI) – Princeton University Summer Internship Program has selected the CNR-ISAC proposal, Earth Observation for the Resilience to Weather Extremes in the Mediterranean. Through this program, two visiting students will join the CNR-ISAC team in summer 2025, contributing to cutting-edge research using remote sensing tools, machine learning techniques, and data assimilation in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models for specific case studies.

This collaboration strengthens global efforts to enhance scientific understanding and resilience to extreme weather events in the Mediterranean region.

Stakeholders

University of Bari

A collaboration is in progress with the University of Bari in the framework of the webgis Archimede (www.archimedemedicane.it). The webgis was developed in two projects:

  • ARCHIMEDE (MultidisciplinARy approaCH to better define vulnerabIlity and hazard of MEDicanEs along the Ionian coasts of Sicily), funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research within the Next Generation EU program, which aims to define the vulnerability of coastal areas to the impact of medicanes. (Principal Investigator Prof. Giovanni Scicchitano)
  • HOME-COAST (Get aHead Of the MEdicanes: strategies for the COASTal environment), an ERC SEED UNIBA, which aims to integrate geomorphological evidence, climate data and numerical models related to medicane impacts. These data will be used to train machine learning models aimed at identifying the areas that could be most greatly impacted by medicane events. These products will be used to present interactive maps highlighting the areas that are susceptible to medicanes and will be available to all users and decision-makers from different professional fields. (Principal Investigator Giovanni Scardino)

    • The goal is to not only expand the platform with additional data but also to turn it into an active system for gathering reports on the documented impact of medicanes along coastal areas. To achieve this, they aim to promote the platform among various stakeholders, including research groups in geomorphology and geology, Civil Protection Authorities, land management professionals, and Marine Protected Areas.

    This collaboration will offer mutual benefits. ESA Medicanes will be able to contribute scientifically and assist with outreach and stakeholder engagement, while the platform will serve as a valuable tool for integrating and sharing ESA datasets.