Ever wondered how a curious mind from sunny Sicily embraces the frosty charms of Norway—with a fresh fascination for saunas, reindeer meet, and all things Nordic? Meet Marco Santacroce, a visiting Erasmus student from the Dental School at the University of Messina. His zeal for oral tissue regeneration (and adventurous spirit) brought him to our doorstep here at the University of Oslo (UiO).
We caught up with Marco in our cosy research lounge (where the thermostat is ever so slightly cranked up—Norwegians do love their warmth) to chat about his experiences. Between bouts of laughter about his first—and definitely not last—sauna session, he shared insights into his fascinating journey in dentistry, research and Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
Marco, how does a southern Italian dentistry student end up in the chilly North? “Curiosity, for sure. I’ve always been drawn to exploring new places and challenging myself. My year in Madrid at Universidad CEU San Pablo first exposed me to different dental specialities like Oral Surgery and Orthodontics. Then I reached out to labs and universities across Europe, and the Biomaterials Department at UiO immediately caught my eye—especially because of the emphasis on oral tissue regeneration.”
Diving Into Research at UiO
Tell us more about your work here in Oslo—what projects have you been involved in? “I was privileged to contribute to two big research projects. The first examined how mechanical and chemical debridement methods affect implant surfaces for peri-mucositis and peri-implantitis treatments. The second, in partnership with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, is on socket preservation using TiO₂ scaffolds. I’m proud to say that I was part of a research project that won an award at the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) Congress in Milan!
I also had the privilege of attending a scientific meeting on peri-implantitis and meeting some of my heroes—like Lisa Heitz-Mayfield and Mariano Sanz—who have been real inspirations. I have read so much of their work since my first days in dental school but never imagined that I would meet them in person in Oslo.
Saunas, Snow, and Surprises
Beyond the labs and clinics, how has Norwegian life treated you? Did you really grow fond of saunas? Marco (grinning ear to ear): “I had only heard rumours of how often Norwegians sauna, but I had no idea how amazing it actually feels—especially after a long day in the lab or even a quick dip in an ice-cold fjord! Let’s say I’ve totally converted. I’ve also come to appreciate other Norwegian traditions. The culture shock has been part of the adventure in many ways!”
Curiosity That Knows No Bounds
We heard you’re applying for the Osteology Foundation Research Scholarship. What sparked this step? “Well, I’ve realised clinical practice alone can’t quench my thirst for exploration. Research is addictive—I want to delve deeper, learn more, and contribute to the field in a meaningful way. My curiosity is my compass. As I wrote in my scholarship letter: ‘My relentless drive has opened doors to incredible opportunities, including my time at Madrid and Oslo. Now I want to push my boundaries even further. I’m eager to continue with research once my dental degree is complete—to keep this research journey alive and continue investigating how we can regenerate and care for oral tissues.”
A Sense of Belonging Far from Home
Finally, what would you say to a prospective student considering a research stay at UiO? “Don’t hesitate—do it! The community here is so welcoming. Between my lab work in the Biomaterials Department and clinical practice in Periodontology, I found a real sense of belonging and purpose. It’s like everyone shares the same passion, and they cheer each other on. Plus, you might discover you love some Norwegian traditions you never thought you’d try!”
From Sicily to Oslo, Marco’s story reminds us just how far curiosity can take you—geographically, professionally, and personally. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, we’ll see him running cutting-edge research projects and inviting the next wave of inquisitive students to try out Norway’s best-kept secret: the joy of a steaming sauna on a snowy winter day.
We wish Marco all the best in his future and can’t wait to see where his compass of curiosity points next!