In the bustling medical district of Miami, you might find Dr. Gianluca Iacobellis taking a moment between patients to check the latest Lazio football scores or brewing a perfect cup of espresso in his trusted Bialetti coffee maker. These small rituals connect this world-renowned endocrinologist to his Roman roots, even as he shapes the future of medicine as Full Professor of Medicine, Director of UHT Diabetes, and Vice Chair of central IRB at the Miller School of Medicine.
“I would compare myself to a fried courgette flower,” he says with a characteristic blend of wit and insight. “Crisp on the outside but soft and tasty on the inside.” This self-assessment perfectly captures the essence of a man who combines scientific rigor with deeply held Italian values.
The journey that brought Iacobellis to the US began in 2003 with groundbreaking research on epicardial fat at Rome’s Sapienza University. His innovative work caught the attention of prestigious North American research centers, leading to a career trajectory that he describes with refreshing humility: “I never sought a job – they came to me.” This statement, delivered without pretense, reflects both his professional excellence and his grounded nature.
Despite his international success – with over 165 published articles and more than 18,000 citations – Iacobellis maintains deep connections to Italy. He speaks to his father several times daily and still pays his annual fees to the Order of Physicians in Rome. His twin daughters, born in Italy, carry their heritage proudly, embodying what their father calls “being very Italian in their own way.”
At home, Italian traditions blend seamlessly with American life. His wife, Matilde, a PhD biologist in Aquaculture, ensures the family maintains their culinary heritage. Family dinners remain sacred, a time when work takes a back seat to connection and conversation. When asked about his dream dinner guests, Iacobellis’s response reveals his deep family bonds: he would choose his father, his late mother, his younger brother, and his grandfather, a renowned surgeon he barely remembers from childhood.
His Italian background influences more than just his personal life – it shapes his approach to medicine. “It has allowed me to look at patients more holistically than the conventional Anglo-Saxon approach,” he explains. This comprehensive view of patient care stands in contrast to the highly specialized American system, and his patients appreciate this distinctive perspective.
Yet Iacobellis also values what his adopted home has taught him. He admires the American system’s efficiency – same-day test results are the norm – and its merit-based approach to research. “Even if stressing, it’s definitely fairer and more gratifying,” he reflects. This blend of Italian holistic care and American efficiency characterizes his unique contribution to medicine.
Looking to the future, Iacobellis sees great potential in precision medicine, particularly in developing genetic and tissue marker-based treatments. His enthusiasm for these advances is tempered by practical advice for young Italians considering similar paths: “Avoid the myth that simply going to a country like the US without a clear plan or skills can make you a fortune. Those times have long gone.”
Between his pioneering research and clinical practice, Iacobellis still finds time for his passions. A former silver and bronze medalist in Italian youth swimming championships, he maintains his competitive spirit through his devoted following of Lazio football. “The distance from my beloved Lazio team” remains his biggest personal challenge in America, though satellite TV helps bridge the gap.
When asked what he misses most about Italy beyond family and football, Iacobellis mentions “the human interaction” and certain cultural habits – like the joy of going to the seaside just for fun. These small cultural differences remind him of the richness of his heritage even as he continues to shape medical science in his adopted home.
Dr. Iacobellis’s story is more than a tale of professional success – it’s a testament to maintaining one’s cultural soul while embracing new horizons. Like his beloved courgette flower, he offers substance beneath style, combining Italian warmth with American drive to create something uniquely valuable in both medicine and life.
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1 Comment
Sangue italiano non mente ! Complimenti e buon lavoro 🫶