Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms
I am a marine biologist who is interested in the study of the mechanisms of sexual selection, that is, those evolutionary forces that lead to maximizing the reproductive success of an organism. In particular, I try to understand the interactions between climate changes, population dynamics and sexual selection mechanisms, mainly using fishes as study models. In my research activity I integrate different methodologies that include underwater activity in the field, experiments in captivity and physiological, histological and molecular analyzes in the laboratory.
Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology
My research is focused on studying the diversity, functions, and biotechnological potential of microbial communities in different marine ecosystems, especially under extreme environmental conditions. In particular, during my post-doc, I am studying marine microbes (mainly bacteria and fungi) for the development of advanced and innovative biotechnologies for reducing the sediment contamination levels of selected polluted marine areas (especially focusing on petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals). To do this, I study the microbial diversity and processes in highly-impacted coastal sites through molecular, bioinformatics, biochemical and analytical techniques, coupled with targeted isolation of microbial strains and laboratory experiments for marine sediment bioremediation approaches.
Department of Research Infrastructures for marine biological resources
I evaluate deep benthic prokaryotic communities of different marine ecosystems, such as the Mediterranean Sea and the Ross Sea, through molecular approaches
Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms
I am an evolutionary marine biologist who has developed fish model systems to resolve fundamental questions in sexual selection under the broader field of physiology and behavioural ecology of reproduction. My research is primarily concerned with the evolution of male pre and post-copulatory reproductive traits, and with the mechanisms of female choice and its consequences on male signalling strategies. I am also currently involved in studies on the monitoring of reproduction and gamete quality in farmed species, aimed at developing a self-sustaining aquaculture for the conservation of natural marine resources.
Integrative Marine Ecology Department
My research is primarily concerned with marine reserves, survey methods, and trophic ecology – who eats who – and what effects these interactions have on community structure. I am especially interested in the functional role of predators in coastal marine systems and their impacts on the trophic structure of reef assemblages, and patterns in marine species diversity and functional diversity at varying scales.
