New Faculty at Umbra
The Umbra Institute is welcoming three new faculty members. While all three have been collaborating with the Institute for the last year, they will take the reins of one of the Institute’s classes starting next semester.
Dr. Elisa Ascione received her undergraduate and master’s degree at the University of East London, and thereafter her doctorate in anthropology at the University of Perugia. A Perugia native, Ascione will teach the summer course in food history (SOIT 361: Not Just a Meal: The History and Politics of Food in Italy), as well as STFS 330: Sustainability and Food Production in Italy, starting in September 2013. Ascione has also been named the coordinator of the Food Studies Program (FSP) and will work closely with FSP Associate Director Zachary Nowak. Ascione is creating a service learning component for the sustainability course, one which introduces the doggy bag to Italy.
Ray Lorenzo received his MCP (Master of City Planning) from Harvard University and has lived for years in Perugia. He has numerous publications in both English and Italian and has worked most recently with Umbra prof Giampiero Bevagna on the academic internship and seminar that deals with urban engagement (INIT 350: Academic Internship and Seminar).
Dario Parenti received his undergraduate degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Florence, after which he worked as an enologist in Italy, Languedoc, and Sonoma. In addition to teaching university courses about wine marketing, Parenti has his own wine export consulting business and has written a book for small wineries looking to export to the United States. He has co-taught the BUFS 380: The Business of Food: Italy and Beyond course and will teach it full-time in September 2013. He will direct the continuing service learning project, helping local winery Castello Monte Vibiano prepare a launch of their eco-wine in the US.