My research line is mainly focused on the discovery of marine natural compounds from micro- and macro-organisms for pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and environmental applications. I am interested in studying the bioactivity of marine compounds on human experimental models. Bioactive molecules are investigated to elucidate the mechanism of action at gene and protein levels on in vitro human cells and ex vivo tissues, offering scientific data to support the possible development of new marine-derived drugs, functional cosmetics, and biomaterials.

Within the CRIMAC project, I am working on the CRIMAC_UNALTERABLE research activity, where I am testing eco-compatible coatings complexed with antifouling compounds for the protection of underwater cultural heritage. Final goal is the combination of marine biomaterials and bio-surfactants for the optimization of innovative antifouling treatments for archaeological marine sites of Calabria coasts.

Department of Integrative Marine Ecology

My research interests focus on the taxonomy and phylogenetic systematics of benthic diatoms, using classical and molecular approaches. I have studied the genera Mastogloia, Diploneis, Anorthoneis, Scoliopleura, and Hyalosira (Bacillariophyta), and described 24 new taxa. I also explore the biodiversity and ecology of microphytobenthos to assess the health of coastal marine ecosystems, identifying diatoms indicative of stress and nutrient enrichment. Additionally, I investigate the use of industrial residues from macroalgae to treat wastewater and recover rare heavy metals, promoting a circular economy. Other interests include the taxonomy and biodiversity of marine macroalgae and angiosperms and the relationship between Ulva (Chlorophyta) growth and environmental parameters.

In CRIMAC, I study microphytobenthos to enhance biodiversity and conserve marine habitats, promoting environmental quality and comparing them with other global habitats. I am researching the isolation and characterization of microalgae obtained from the Amendolara shoal to explore their potential for biotechnological uses.

My research activities focused on the study of the benthic invertebrate biodiversity, particularly cnidarians. Using an integrated taxonomy approach, I have had the pleasure of describing many new species, integrating traditional investigation methods with molecular techniques to carry out phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses. Starting from a taxonomic approach, I have worked on the ecology of benthic communities, both coastal and deep, paying attention to their distribution and changes over time.

Within CRIMAC project, I am studying the cnidarian biodiversity through integrated taxonomy approaches and phylogenetic studies. These studies help to increase the knowledge of biodiversity along the Calabrian coasts in connection with its evolution throughout the Mediterranean basin with the aim of providing useful data for their conservation.

Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology (BLUBIO)

My research interests are focused on the investigation of marine organisms for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications through metagenomic and transcriptomic approaches. In particular, my studies are addressed to the isolation of secondary metabolites and biopolymers with biological activities such as anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiaging, from marine organisms and their symbiotic community, as well as, industrial, fishing and aquaculture discards. My research activities are also focused on the possible exploitation of marine resources in the field of environmental biotechnologies.

Within CRIMAC project, I am working on the isolation of novel marine antifouling compounds to be tested on stone materials in the framework of the research activity CRIMAC_UNALTERABLE. The aim of the project is to develop ecosustainable coatings for the conservation of underwater cultural heritage sited on the seabed of Calabrian coasts.

My research focuses mainly on the evaluation of the management effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and fisheries resources, through a multidisciplinary approach that combines the conservation science of marine ecosystems with social sciences such as organizational science and the application of stakeholder engagement techniques.
The ultimate goal of my work is to improve the long-term conservation of marine ecosystems through the identification of management measures shared between different stakeholders and the evaluation of the effect that these measures have on the protection of fish stocks and marine ecosystems.

In the context of the CRIMAC project, my activities focused on the characterization of small-scale fisheries and the data collection about the landings in some Calabrian fisheries communities and with greater attention within the only Calabrian MPA “Capo Rizzuto”.

Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology (BLUBIO)

My research activity is mainly focused on the phyto-remediation of water and sediments in transitional and marine environments using microalgae. Thanks to different mechanisms, microalgae can be considered suitable for the removal of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The main objectives of my research are the identification of strains suitable for the bioremediation of contaminated environments and the study of cell growth strategies to optimize their uptake and/or decontamination. To this end, the use of solid supports and matrices, including bio-based polymeric materials, are very convenient and are used to improve the decontamination of the species used.

As part of the CRIMAC projects, I am responsible for exploring the microalgal biodiversity of the “Amendolara dry” hot spot to isolate bioactive compounds for use in bioremediation processes.

Department of Integrative Marine Ecology 

I am an ornithologist and I have been mainly involved in monitoring endangered species. In addition, I have been studying the reproductive biology of Caretta caretta in Calabria for about 20 years, specifically the characterization of its breeding sites in Calabria and all the issues that affect this species and the entire marine-coastal compartment. 

In the CRIMAC project, I carry out seabird monitoring, looking at the impact of fishing (bycatch) and wind farms on threatened species. I am also involved in the characterization of Caretta caretta breeding sites in Calabria. 

I earned a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Florence and am a licensed architect. My professional background primarily focuses on designing infrastructure and facilities to support scientific research. 

Within the CRIMAC project, I have managed the structural components of the Calabria Marine Centre (Amendolara) of Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn. This involved overseeing the management and maintenance of plumbing, and building systems, with a particular focus on experimental mesocosms. My current role encompasses the management and maintenance of research tank facilities. Additionally, I coordinate the work of external contractors for new construction projects or scheduled maintenance of the building and technical systems. 

I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in marine biology and marine ecology, respectively, at the University of Palermo.

My professional background and research interests are in aquaculture, phytoplanktonic and zooplanktonic culture breeding, and aquariology.

At the “Calabria Marine Centre” in Amendolara, as part of the “CRIMAC” project, I deal with managing controlled environments intended for research activities, such as mesocosms (experimental systems that allow laboratory-controlled experiments to be conducted under realistic environmental conditions on a small scale, enabling the manipulation of chemical and physical parameters and the study of how organisms respond to one or more induced environmental changes over time.

I deal also with managing the instrumentation in the mesocosms, including systems for monitoring and automatically regulating temperature, pH and salinity, as well as a capture system, filtering and sterilising seawater.

I provide technical and experimental support for the researchers’ activities, which enables me to apply my skills and contribute to innovative research projects.

Lastly, I deal with phytoplankton culture maintenance and for the communication activities of the “CRIMAC” project. I collaborate in planning and implementing dissemination workshops aimed at school students in the Calabria region, as well as creating social content.

Grant & Innovation Office (GIO)  

I am a marine ecologist and my research of interest is both in sustainable fishing activities and marine litter characterization. 

In CRIMAC I was involved in several scientific research campaigns at sea developed to monitor fish species caught, assess bycatches and characterize the composition of marine litter. I have also participated in data collection during landing of commercial species and socio-economic descriptors associated. Often I participated in sampling activities to collect water, sediments and other environmental descriptors.  I also manage chemicals inventory and special laboratory waste and I am responsible for the management and maintenance of cars. In addition, I manage the resources of the Cash and co-manage the inventory. I am involved in technology transfer by supporting the scouting activity and the promotion of patent titles. 

Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms 

I graduated in Natural Sciences and Ecobiology from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. During my academic career, I developed a strong interest in evolutionary biology, which I continued to explore during my research fellowship at the Department of Biology at Roma Tre University. During this period, I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and enhance my laboratory skills, focusing on molecular phylogenetics studies. 

Currently, I am collaborating as a research fellow at the Calabria Marine Centre within the CRIMAC project. A significant part of the project involves studying the diversity of octocorals in the Mediterranean basin. My role consists of applying integrated taxonomy techniques and combining morphological and molecular data to accurately classify the organisms studied. 

Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms (BEOM)

I have experience and aptitude in relationships with stakeholders, customers and suppliers. I developed my skills by dealing, among other things, with the collection and monitoring of data relating to production for local development companies and with the analysis of the development context of the activity and relationships with universities, research institutes, analysis laboratories for a company active in the research field. 

From this comes my interest in the CRIMAC project where I am responsible for monitoring the activities of the staff at the Calabria headquarters regarding the effects of the research project on the territory, the preparation of a database of the activities carried out in the field structured by type, quality and quantity of data, verification of the project objectives in terms of data correctness and timing, as well as evaluation of the impacts of the project at a local level. 

Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Marine Ecosostenibili (BLUBIO)

Ph.D. student
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali (CHIBIOFARAM), Università degli Studi di Messina

I miei interessi di ricerca sono rivolti alla protezione del Patrimonio Culturale Sommerso. Durante la mia carriera universitaria ho acquisito una formazione interdisciplinare nell’ambito delle biotecnologie. Attualmente impiego le mie conoscenze per l’individuazione di prodotti naturali con potenziale sviluppo biotecnologico e la creazione di rivestimenti eco-compatibili applicabili su materiale inorganico sommerso.

Sono coinvolta nel progetto di ricerca “CRIMAC_UNALTERABLE”, occupandomi in particolare dello studio dei processi di formazione del biofouling e dell’identificazione dei principali biofoulers coinvolti nel biodeterioramento dei reperti archeologici sommersi. Parallelamente, lavoro alla progettazione e valutazione dell’attività antifouling di rivestimenti di sintesi chimica con potenziale applicazione nella conservazione del Patrimonio Culturale Sommerso.

Dipartimento di Ecologia Marina Integrata (EMI)
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche ed Ambientali (CHIBIOFARAM), Università degli Studi di Messina

Negli ultimi anni, la preoccupazione per l’accumulo di plastiche negli ecosistemi sta crescendo su scala globale, poiché queste sostanze, una volta in acqua, si degradano formando microplastiche (MPs). Le MPs creano diversi impatti negativi: vengono ingeriti dagli organismi entrano nella catena trofica e possono comportarsi come vettore di inquinanti. Per tale motivo, sta aumentando l’attenzione sull’utilizzo di bioplastiche in sostituzione alle plastiche convenzionali. Ci sono alcune sfide associate a questa ricerca in quanto la persistenza della plastica nell’ambiente è governata da diversi fattori come le proprietà della plastica stessa e le caratteristiche chimico-fisiche dell’ambiente.

Il mio progetto di dottorato all’interno del CRIMAC ha l’obiettivo di valutare la degradabilità del Mater-Bi® in condizioni attuali e negli scenari futuri di cambiamento climatico, e di studiare gli effetti delle bioplastiche su organismi marini.

Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology (BLUBIO)

I completed my Master’s degree in pathological-molecular Biology at the University of Calabria. During my academic career, I developed a strong interest in biodiversity, with a particular focus on phytoplankton.

I currently collaborate as a fellow at the Calabria Marine Centre as part of the CRIMAC project, which aims to study, utilize and protect the resources of the Calabrian seas, promoting sustainable blue growth. Among the resources of great importance in the waters of our seas are diatoms, a highly diverse group of phytoplanktonic microalgae. These contribute about 20% of annual carbon fixation globally, underlie major aquatic food webs, and play a key role in global biogeochemical cycles. They also produce secondary metabolites that act as chemical defense and communication tools, with significant variation at the clone level. My research is based on the charachterization of phytoplanktonic communities and the isolation of species of interest, with the goal of contributing to their protection and enhancement.