Breve Curriculum
Current position: Full Professor in Agro-Food and Environmental Microbiology (AGR/16).
Education:
- 1996, scholarship of the Consortium for University of Foggia, with a project entitled: "Role and technological applications of microflora of vegetables. Study of the evolution of the micro-organisms colonising the fourth range products in relation to processing and storage conditions”;
- 1996-1999, PhD in Food Biotechnology with a dissertation entitled: “Use of conventional and unconventional atmosphere on minimally processed fruits. Effects on the microbiological and enzymatic stability”;
- 1996 and 1997 contracts with CO.RI.AL (Food Research Consortium), for microbiological tests on plants, packaging materials and food for the study and the testing of two pilot plants;
- 1998, Research Award for the Group Study Exchange funded by the Rotary International 2120 district for activities of study and research, to the “Food science and human nutrition” Department of the University of Urbana, Illinois (USA).
- 1999-2000 contracts with the Agricultural Faculty of Foggia University, inserted in the research project MURST ex 60%, entitled “Characterisation of dairy microflora of typical Apulian cheeses and its use as adjunct starters” and in the research project MURST ex 40%, entitled “Modelling of the effects of the Maillard reaction products on the microbial growth in model systems as well as in food”;
- 2000, contract with the University of Bari, inserted in the research project entitled “Dairy Biotechnologies”.
- 2001, researcher in Agro-Food and Environmental Microbiology (AGR/16).
Academic services
2021/in progress, appointed expert for “Biological hazard” within EFSA.
2018/in progress, Rector’s appointment as President of the Quality Presidium of the University of Foggia
2015/in progress, Rector’s appointment as member of the board of directors of the company SPIN OFF New Gluten World S.r.l. for the University of Foggia
2002 at present: Head of the laboratory of Predictive microbiology
- 2001-: member of teacher college of the PhD in Food Biotechnology
- evaluator for the Minister of University for the VQR 2004-2010 (evaluation of quality research)
- 2103 at present evaluator for national and European project
- 2015 Coordinator of the bachelor degree course in Gastronomic Sciences
Major actual research interests:
1) Predictive microbiology;
2) Innovative methodologies to control the growth of spoilage and pathogen microorganisms (Natural antimicrobial compounds, High pressures, Ultrasound);
3) Non conventional methods for shelf life extending in ready to use foods;
4) Microbiological aspects of food products: table olives, fillets and burger fish, fresh pasta, non-conventional meat products;
5) Microbial biofilm;
6) Micro-encapsulation of food grade microorganisms
7) Microbiological aspects of functional foods: use of probiotic microorganisms in relation to process operations
8) Typical cheeses
9) Microbial biofilm.
10) Micro-encapsulation of food grade microorganisms
Partecipation to research projects:
She was component of numerous research financed projects and Scientific coordinator of the Explorative project entitled “Valorisation of low commercial value fish by minimally processed fish-based products”.
She is actually Scientific Coordinator of the following projects:
Ø Promozione di Processi ECO_sostenibili per la valorizzazione delle Produzioni agroalimentari Pugliesi (ECO_P4)
Ø Sviluppo di prodotti alimentari innovativi mediante soluzioni biotecnologiche, impiantistiche e tecnologiche (PROINNO_BIT)
Ø Biotecnologie degli alimenti per l’innovazione e la competitività delle principali filiere regionali: estensione della conservabilità e aspetti funzionali (BiotecA)
Publications: co-author of about 250 papers published in international and national referred journals. Scopus source: Cit.=5888, H-index=40.