Current projects

Generally speaking, I'm currently working in two different main research areas:

1. Conservation genetics and genomics

My research activities are aimed at evaluating intra- and inter-population genetic/genomic diversity in several species, mainly of the mountain habitat, ranging from reptiles (common lizard), amphibians (mountain frog, yellow-bellied toad) to birds (hazel grouse) and mammals (sengi from the Udzungwa National Park, Tanzania). I'm particularly interested in transferring data from research to practitioners so to help design better management and conservation plans. This activity was the focus of a recent EU-funded project, ConGRESS, and I'm now committed to keep going in this direction being a member of the Conservation Genetics Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).1. Conservation genetics

2. eDNA biodiversity assessment

After being PI of a research project funded by the Euregio Science fund called CALICE, focussed on reconstruction of plant biodiversity, I'm trying to enlarge this activity to Arthropods and to other glaciers outside Europe. For a very general overview of how ice core drilling has been conducted and how this research relates to the the climate change issue, you can have a look at this documentary directed, edited and produced by Gianni Motter, (RAI TV (National Italian Television): sorry, it's only in Italian. 

Pictures of 2019 summer scientific survey on Adamello glacier: this year we managed to place a volumetrica spore/pollen sampler and a Malayse trap close to the glacier, Bivacco Giannantonj (3200 m asl)

NB If you want to take part in these activities for your internship, Master of Science stage, PhD or post-doc fellowship, please feel free to drop me an email. We're always looking for enthusiastic and motivated people!