The course "Evidence-based medicine: role of systematic reviews and meta-analyses" has been held at the University of Cagliari from February 23 to 27, 2026. The event was funded by PNRR-TNE (Transnational Educational Initiatives) funds which include the Neurobridge project. Neurobridge is an international educational project in the field of neuroscience and neurotechnology, coordinated by the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, with the Polytechnic University of Bari, the Scuola Sant'Anna, the University of Cagliari and the University of Pisa, together with international partners, especially from emerging countries. At the University of Cagliari, the Neurobridge project is led by Prof Paola Fadda, Full Professor of Pharmacology.
The Course was organized by the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group (CDAG), that comprises Prof Roberta Agabio, Dr Silvia Minozzi, Dr Sara Pani, Dr Francesco Salis, and Prof Claudia Sardu.
Teachers of the Course:
Dr Silvia Minozzi, joint co-editor of the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group and Cochrane senior editor, is a member of the International GRADE Working Group. She has contributed to more than 90 systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Prof Cinzia Del Giovane, Associate Professor in Medical Statistics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. She has contributed to more than 60 network meta-analyses.
Dr Francesco Nonino, neurologist and epidemiologist, director of the Unit of Epidemiology and Statistics at the IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Italy. He is a member of the GRADE Working Group and director of the Bologna WHO Collaborating Centre in Evidence-Based Research Synthesis and Guideline Development. Within Cochrane, Francesco is joint coordinating editor of the Cochrane Review Group MS and Rare Diseases of the CNS, and director of the Cochrane Italia geographic group.
Prof Salvatore Sardo, Associate Professor of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy. He has experience in conducting systematic reviews and network meta-analyses in the field of anesthesia.
Dr Marta Melis, neurologist, University Hospital Monserrato (Cagliari), Italy, with recent experience in conducting Cochrane systematic reviews.
Dr Lucia Deledda, Biomedical Scientific Library, University of Cagliari, Monserrato (CA), Italy
Dr Sara Pani, Information Specialist of the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group, Researcher in Public Health, University of Cagliari
Dr Francesco Salis, geriatrician, Managing Editor of the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group, University of Cagliari
Prof Claudia Sardu, Associate Professor of Public Health, Communication Manager of the Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group, University of Cagliari
The interactive lessons (February 23-26, 2026) were limited to 31 participants from the partner Universities.
The final event - held on Friday, February 27, 2026 - was open to up to 170 attendees and exploited the history of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in healthcare decision-making and translational research.
A picture from the final event. From left to right: Dr Pier Paolo Pani, Dr Francesco Nonino, Dr Silvia Minozzi, Prof Pietro Giorgio Calò, Prof Paola Fadda, Prof Alessandra Carucci, Prof Roberta Agabio, Prof Luca Saba
During the final event, the faculty also awarded certificates of participation to the 31 students who successfully completed the course.
