Provvidenza Rita D'Urso

Provvidenza Rita D'Urso is a Fixed-term Assistant Professor at the University of Catania's Department of Agriculture Food and Environment (Di3A), specializing in Rural Buildings and Agro-forest Land Planning within the School of Agriculture. Her current position runs from March 1, 2023 to February 28, 2026, as part of the SAMOTHRACE project funded by the European Union through NextGenerationUE. She maintains an office in the Engineering Area at Via Santa Sofia, 100, and conducts research focused on environmental monitoring in agricultural settings.

Dr. D'Urso earned her PhD in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science from the University of Catania in 2022 with a thesis on measuring ammonia and GHG concentrations in dairy housing systems. She holds dual qualifications as both a Civil and Environmental Engineer (2017) and an Agronomist and Forestry Doctor (2020), demonstrating her interdisciplinary expertise. Her educational background includes two Master's degrees earned cum laude: one in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies (2018) and another in Building Engineering and Architecture (2016).

Her research interests center on environmental monitoring in agricultural contexts, particularly focusing on ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions from livestock housing systems. She investigates innovative measurement techniques using infrared photo-acoustic multi-gas analyzers and low-cost devices, while also exploring mitigation strategies including green wall systems and bio-acidification treatments. Her work bridges agricultural engineering with environmental protection, addressing critical challenges in sustainable farming practices.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on precision environmental monitoring in agricultural settings, with particular emphasis on spatial and temporal distribution of gaseous emissions in dairy barns. Her research demonstrates methodological rigor in measurement techniques while maintaining practical applications for emission reduction in livestock farming. She frequently employs geospatial analysis and contributes to systematic literature reviews that advance understanding of environmental impacts across agricultural sectors.

• National Scientific Qualification as Associate Professor (2023)
• PhD awarded with honors (unanimous decision by Committee, 2022)
• Multiple Master's degrees earned 110/110 cum laude
• Active member of the Italian Society of Agricultural Engineering (AIIA)

Dr. D'Urso serves as an academic advisor and collaborator on multiple research projects, frequently working with Professor Claudia Arcidiacono as primary supervisor. Her research group focuses on developing practical solutions for environmental challenges in Mediterranean agricultural systems, with particular attention to measurement methodologies and mitigation strategies that can be implemented in real-world farming operations. She maintains active collaborations with European research institutions through COST Training School programs.