Rafael Boscolo Berto
Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova
Via A. Gabelli 65, 35121 Padova, Italy
tel +39 049 8272320
e-mail rafael.boscoloberto@unipd.i

Born in 1976, I obtained my medical degree with highest honors from the University of Padova in 2004. I completed my postgraduate specialization in Urology cum laude in 2010 and later pursued also a postgraduate specialization in Legal Medicine in 2015 with the top score. Additionally, I attended the “Cellular energetics and regulation – European bioenergetics course” in Konstanz, obtained a Fellowship from the European Board of Urology in 2010 and participated in several clinical courses managed by the European School of Urology.
Currently Associate Professor of Human Anatomy at the Department of Neurosciences at the University of Padova, Institute of Human Anatomy, I am member of the Academic Board in the Ph.D. Course in Clinical and Experimental Oncology and Immunology.

Memberships and Appointments
Recipient of three international/National Scientific Awards in Forensic Pathology, Medical Liability, and Human Anatomy. Executive Editorial Board member and senior reviewer of several scientific journals all provided of impact factor. Founding member, member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer of the Society of Clinical Forensic Anatomy (S.A.Cli.Fo.), other than a member of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology (S.I.A.I.), European Association of Clinical Anatomy (E.A.C.A.), American Association of Clinical Anatomists (A.A.C.A.), International Academy of Legal Medicine (I.A.L.M.), Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (F.A.S.E.), and many other regional scientific associations. I have served as a jury member for international awards in the field of human anatomy, and as a member of international commissions for the awarding of European funds to research projects.

Main Research Topics and Patents
I am interested in a wide range of research topics, including clinical anatomy, forensic clinical anatomy, forensic pathology, legal medicine, medical malpractice, liability, and urology. I have written over one hundred peer-reviewed papers, edited several treatises, and contributed to many chapters in internationally edited books.

I have filed national and international patents for a new surgical tool.

Five most representative publications

• The transversoclasiotome: a novel instrument for examining the vertebral artery. Boscolo-Berto R, Macchi V, Tubbs RS, Emmi A, Stecco C, Loukas M, Porzionato A, De Caro R. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2023 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s12024-023-00638-x.
• High variability of in-depth injective spread in the erector spinae plane block: a cadaveric anatomical insight. Boscolo-Berto R, Bonvicini D, DE Cassai A, Negrello M, Macchi V, Navalesi P, De Caro R, Porzionato A. Minerva Anestesiol. 2021 Jan;87(1):112-113. doi: 10.23736/S0375-9393.20.14850-8.
• The additional role of virtual to traditional dissection in teaching anatomy: a randomised controlled trial. Boscolo-Berto R, Tortorella C, Porzionato A, Stecco C, Picardi EEE, Macchi V, De Caro R. Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Apr;43(4):469-479. doi: 10.1007/s00276-020-02551-2.
• The underestimated posterior lymphatic drainage of the prostate: An historical overview and preliminary anatomical study on cadaver. Boscolo-Berto R, Siracusano S, Porzionato A, Polguj M, Porcaro AB, Stecco C, Macchi V, De Caro R. Prostate. 2020 Feb;80(2):153-161. doi: 10.1002/pros.23927.
• The Italian law on body donation: A position paper of the Italian College of Anatomists. De Caro R, Boscolo-Berto R, Artico M, Bertelli E, Cannas M, Cappello F, Carpino G, Castorina S, Cataldi A, Cavaletti GA, Cinti S, Cocco LI, Cremona O, Crivellato E, De Luca A, Falconi M, Familiari G, Ferri GL, Fornai F, Gesi M, Geuna S, Gibelli DM, Giordano A, Gobbi P, Guerra G, Gulisano M, Macchi V, Macchiarelli G, Manzoli L, Michetti F, Miscia S, Montagnani S, Montella ACM, Morini S, Onori P, Palumbo C, Papa M, Porzionato A, Quacci DE, Raspanti M, Rende M, Rezzani R, Ribatti D, Ripani M, Rodella LF, Rossi P, Sbarbati A, Secchiero P, Sforza C, Stecco C, Toni R, Vercelli A, Vitale M, Zancanaro C, Zauli G, Zecchi S, Anastasi GP, Gaudio E. Ann Anat. 2021 Nov;238:151761. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2021.151761.