Laura Marri

Laura Marri is an Associate Professor at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena. Her academic profile focuses on microbiology and microbial biodiversity, with particular emphasis on insect-microbe symbiotic relationships and environmental microbiology. She teaches courses in Biology of Microorganisms and Microbial Biodiversity to undergraduate and graduate students in Biological Sciences and Environmental Conservation.

Research interests:

• Biodegradation of synthetic polymers through insect-associated microbial communities
• Functional characterization of microorganisms in insect vectors
• Biotechnological applications of microbial pigments and metabolites
• Evolutionary dynamics of primary symbionts in invasive species

Scientific contributions: Recent publications highlight her work on polystyrene biodegradation mechanisms, olive fly symbiont biogeography, and microbial community analysis in plastic-eating insects. She actively investigates microbial solutions for environmental challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.