Francesca Malfatti

Francesca Malfatti is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at the Department of Life Sciences (DSV) of the University of Trieste. She serves as a member of the Department's Board and multiple Boards of Studies for degree programs including Science and Technology for Environment and Nature (SM40), Biological Sciences and Technologies (SM51), Functional Genomics (SM53), and Marine and Coastal Environmental Science (SM44/SM44A).

Her research focuses on environmental microbiology and genetics, particularly at the atmosphere-ocean interface. She leads the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (EMLab) and serves as Principal Investigator for the FEMTO project (Focused rEsistome-Mobilome genes in aTmosphere-Ocean continuum), funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (2023-2025). Her work also encompasses Antarctic marine microbiology through the IBIZA project and viral-host interactions via the VirHoX initiative.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on microbial gene transfer mechanisms, antibiotic resistance dynamics across environmental compartments, and the role of atmospheric processes in microbial dispersal. Her research bridges marine microbiology, atmospheric science, and genetic analysis to understand microbial community dynamics across interconnected environmental systems.

Dr. Malfatti actively participates in multiple research initiatives including Ecosistema Innovazione iNEST, SAVEMAR, and several international collaborations focused on environmental microbiology and marine ecosystem health.