Medicine and engineering are Davide Pompilio’s two greatest passions. That’s why he has decided to embark on the double-degree program offered by MEDTEC school. This six-year degree course, run by Humanitas University and Politecnico di Milano, aims to train a revolutionary professional profile that masters the gap between two apparently distant fields. From Davide’s reasons for choosing a multidisciplinary university path to his dream job, role model and much more: read our interview to discover more about one of our 2021 Dompé Foundation fellows.

What does the Dompé Foundation scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship has been an incredible honor. Knowing that someone out there recognized my potential to such an extent that I can now study what I love and set ambitious goals brings me immense gratification. This scholarship, moreover, serves as a constant source of motivation: it pushes me to give my best every single day. I hope one day to make those who believed in me from the very begging proud of me by becoming a prominent figure in my field. 

Why did you choose the MEDTEC School?

I chose to pursue the double degree in Medicine and Biomedical Engineering offered by the MEDTEC School first because its program combines my two greatest passions: medicine, which has fascinated me since my childhood, and engineering, which I started to appreciate at a later stage. Moreover, I strongly believe that the multidisciplinary education provided by this degree is instrumental in fostering innovation. Lastly, I’m particularly motivated by the challenge of pursuing a path that is totally different from the traditional medical degrees.

How is your degree innovative?

The MEDTEC School is innovative as it trains professionals who can bridge the gap between medicine and engineering: the physician-engineers. This unique blend of skills allows us to understand and utilize new technologies, making us well-prepared for the future of healthcare. As a student in this program, I’m grateful for the opportunity to study subjects like machine learning and artificial intelligence, which are increasingly relevant in the medical field. Additionally, from the very first year, we have hands-on experiences, such as performing anatomical dissections, that reinforce our theoretical knowledge gained from books.

What is your dream job?

I envision my future in a scrub or, in any case, in a clinical environment. Recently, I had the extraordinary opportunity to assist a surgery here at Humanitas. Not only did I not faint during the operation, but I also realized that the tremendous dedication I’m putting into this degree program will lead me to become the professional I truly aspire to be, a neurosurgeon. What fascinates me about neurosciences is the fact that event the slightest alteration in an individual’s neural basis can have a significant impact on a larger scale.

What’s at the top of your wish list?

Besides winning a Nobel Prize, which is undoubtedly everyone's dream, high on the wish list is the goal of inventing a revolutionary medical device. The idea of creating a technological tool that can improve people's lives and contribute to the advancement of health care is very exciting to me.

Who is your role model in life?

My role model in life is my grandfather. He has taught me the value of time, the importance of observing and being aware of what’s happening around me, and the meaning of unconditional love.

What’s your greatest passion besides medicine and engineering?

Music is my greatest passion. Although I love playing several instruments, there’s one that holds a special place in my heart: the piano. If I were forced to choose just one companion to bring on a deserted island, the piano would undoubtedly be at the top of my list.