Gianfranco Anfora is a Full Professor at the University of Trento, affiliated with both the Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering and the Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), where he serves as Deputy Dean. His research focuses on agricultural entomology, biological control, and sustainable pest management. Key expertise areas include integrated pest control, semiochemicals, and viticulture-related challenges. Anfora teaches courses on biopesticides, vine protection, and eco-sustainable management of invasive species. His research emphasizes vibrational communication in pests like Halyomorpha halys and Drosophila suzukii, exploring non-chemical control strategies such as sterile insect techniques and biological control agents. Collaborative projects include classical biological control programs targeting invasive species in vineyards and果园. Anfora’s work often bridges ecology and applied pest management, addressing climate and landscape impacts on agricultural practices. Recent studies highlight innovations in vibrational mating disruption, substrate-borne signaling, and radiation effects on pest behavior. His contributions aim to balance productivity, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance within agri-food systems. No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned, but his extensive publication record reflects significant contributions to entomological and agricultural research.
Gaetano Siscaro serves as Associate Professor of General and Applied Entomology (AGRI-05/A) at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, where he has held a permanent position since 2002 within the Faculty of Agriculture. His academic career spans over three decades at the same institution, transitioning from researcher to associate professor while maintaining continuous research activity. Education: Master's Degree in Agricultural Sciences, University of Catania (1985) PhD in Agricultural Entomology, University of Naples Federico II (1992) Dr. Siscaro's research focuses on sustainable pest management in Mediterranean agroecosystems, with specialized expertise in citrus and protected crops. His work integrates biological control strategies through the enhancement of natural enemy biocenoses, particularly targeting whiteflies, scale insects, and leaf miners. He emphasizes field-applicable solutions for economically significant pests while maintaining ecological balance. As an active participant in international scientific networks, he contributes to the IOBC/wprs Working Groups on Citrus IPM and Protected Crops, having organized the 2007 Catania meeting on citrus integrated pest management. His teaching responsibilities include courses such as Applied Entomology and Parasitology for undergraduate agriculture programs. Professional Affiliations: Italian Entomological Society (SEI) - Agricultural Entomology Section (since 1991) IOBC/wprs (since 1992) International Society of Citriculture (since 2004) Italian National Academy of Entomology (since 2018) Gioenia Academy of Catania (Resident Correspondent since 2021)
Donato Romano serves as Associate Professor at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italy, where he coordinates the Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab and co-founded the spin-off company HUBILIFE srl. His interdisciplinary work bridges robotics, biology, and AI to develop biohybrid systems for biodiversity preservation, sustainable environmental management, and life support in extreme scenarios including space exploration. With over 90 publications and an H-index of 27 (Scopus, March 2025), he has established significant academic leadership through editorial roles across 12+ international journals. Romano's educational foundation includes advanced degrees with honors: an M.Sc. in Agriculture Science and Technologies (2014) and a PhD in BioRobotics (2018), both from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna. His academic journey includes visiting scholar positions at Khalifa University and substantial industry-academia collaboration through HUBILIFE srl, which commercializes bioinspired devices for human daily life improvement. His research program focuses on bioinspired and biomimetic robotics with particular emphasis on animal-robot interaction, biohybrid systems, and natural intelligence. Key projects address critical global challenges: SENSORBEES develops biohybrid environmental surveillance for ecological monitoring; REGOLIFE investigates lunar soil-terrestrial organism interactions for space agriculture; and OCEAN ROBOCTO explores marine ecosystem solutions. This work demonstrates a strategic progression from fundamental behavioral studies toward applied ecological and extraterrestrial systems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong trends in AI-driven behavioral analysis, with deep learning increasingly applied to entomological studies and pest management. The research spans agricultural applications (precision monitoring traps, larval detection systems), ecological conservation (biodiversity surveillance), and extreme-environment adaptation (lunar regolith studies). A distinctive feature is the consistent integration of biohybrid approaches where living organisms and robotic systems create synergistic capabilities exceeding either component alone. Romano's scientific recognition includes election as Junior Fellow of the Italian Academy of Engineering and Technology (2025), the Lucani fuori dal Comune award (2024), and multiple best-thesis prizes. His editorial leadership spans high-impact journals including IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics and Pest Management Science, where he serves as Associate Editor. As principal investigator, Romano coordinates major international projects totaling over €15M in funding: HORIZON-EIC's SENSORBEES (2024-2029), ASI's REGOLIFE (2024-2027), National Geographic's OCEAN ROBOCTO (2024-2026), and PRIN's COSMIC (2023-2025). His teaching portfolio includes PhD courses in Biosystems for Biorobotics and M.Sc. instruction in Bionics Engineering at Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna and University of Pisa. The Bio-Robotic Ecosystems Lab under Romano's direction pioneers biohybrid technologies where living organisms and robotic systems create integrated solutions. Current initiatives include SENSORBEES' environmental monitoring swarms, REGOLIFE's moonworm colonization systems, and HUBILIFE's commercial vector-control devices. The lab maintains active collaborations with space agencies, agricultural institutes, and conservation organizations, positioning biohybrid systems as next-generation tools for planetary-scale challenges.
Prof. Chiara Dall'Asta is a Full Professor of Food Chemistry at the University of Parma's Department of Food Science. Since 2023, she serves as the Rector's Delegate for Doctoral Programs and has coordinated the PhD Course in Food Science since 2019. She acts as the Chancellor’s liaison to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and contributes to EFSA Working Groups, authoring multiple scientific opinions on mycotoxin risk assessment. Her research spans natural bioactive compounds, mycotoxins, metabolomics, and computational toxicology, with recent expansion into food fraud detection using non-targeted mass spectrometry. Key methodologies include HR-MS metabolomics, ion mobility MS, and computational models to study xenobiotic interactions. She has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and edited the book Masked Mycotoxins . Recent publications (2022-2025) highlight trends in mycotoxin analysis, food safety risk assessment, plant-based product safety, and computational toxicology. Work frequently integrates advanced analytical technologies (e.g., GC-IMS, LC-HRMS) with chemometrics for food authenticity and contamination studies. Teaching responsibilities include courses in Food Characterization, Risk Assessment of Chemical Compounds, and Xenobiotics in Food across undergraduate and graduate programs in Gastronomic Science, Food Safety, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
Michele Ricupero is an Assistant Professor (RTD-B) in the Department of Agriculture Food and Environment (Di3A) at the University of Catania, specializing in Applied Entomology. His research focuses on sustainable pest control in protected crops using biological methods and biopesticides, with emphasis on ecotoxicology of natural enemies. Education includes a B.S. and M.S. in Agricultural Sciences (with honors), Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, and professional certification as an Agronomist. He conducted international research at institutions including INRA (France), University of Minnesota (USA), and Universidad de Talca (Chile) through Erasmus+ grants. Research interests center on: Biological control of horticultural pests (especially tomatoes) Molecular identification of insects Transcriptomics of plant-insect defenses Bioinsecticide development and ecotoxicology His publications demonstrate strong focus on sustainable pest management, with recent works analyzing non-target effects of pesticides, essential oil formulations, and invasive species dynamics. Awards include: Top Reviewer in Multidisciplinary, Plant & Animal Science (Clarivate, 2019) He advises graduate theses on topics like RNA interference in Lepidoptera and bioinsecticide efficacy. Research funded through PRIN projects, ENI Italy-Tunisia programmes, and Agritech Center. Leads activities in the Biocontrol Lab and serves on the Board of the Italian Entomological Society. Editorial roles include Annals of Applied Biology and guest editorships for Agronomy and Frontiers in Agronomy.
Lucia Zappalà is a Full Professor of General and Applied Entomology at the University of Catania's Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) since 2020. She serves as University Delegate for International Relations since 2019 and President of the European University Alliance EUNICE since 2024. Her research focuses on Hymenoptera parasitoids, integrated pest management (IPM), and pesticide effects on natural enemies. She is a member of the Italian Entomological Society's Agricultural Entomology section and the Italian National Academy of Entomology. PhD in Agricultural Entomology (University of Naples Federico II, 2001) Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Florida (2003) University of Catania faculty since 2006 Visiting professor at UC Berkeley (2015) Her research spans biological control agent discovery, pesticide risk assessment, and invasive pest management across Mediterranean agroecosystems. She has published over 300 indexed articles (h-index 37) on parasitoid-pest interactions and sustainable control strategies. Recent work examines botanical extract compatibility with natural enemies and essential oil-based plant defenses . She contributes to Phytoparasitica and European Journal of Entomology editorial boards. Scientific awards include a 2003 postdoctoral fellowship. She has served as Principal Investigator for national (FIR, PRIN) and international (FP7, ARIMNET 2) projects, and contributes to EFSA's Plant Health Panel. Her laboratory (Biocontrol Lab, Di3A) conducts applied entomology research on invasive Hemiptera and quarantine pest evaluations .
Alex Weissensteiner is a Full Professor of Quantitative Finance and Rector at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (unibz). He previously held academic positions at Leopold Franzens University in Innsbruck, the University of Liechtenstein, and served as Professor of Financial Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark from 2013–2015. At unibz, he held leadership roles including Director of the Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Management (2015–2020) and Pro-Rector for Studies (2020–2024) before becoming Rector in 2024. His research focuses on Life-cycle asset allocation Parameter uncertainty in financial models Scenario generation for investment decisions Asset-liability management Market microstructure dynamics Information economics in financial markets Recent publications emphasize portfolio optimization under uncertainty, option-implied risk analysis, and agricultural risk management. His work combines theoretical finance with empirical validation, often applying quantitative methods to banking, insurance, and pension systems. Scientific recognition includes EU grants for "Understanding Pensions in Europe" (2016) and "Understanding Saving in Europe" (2019) Regular contributions to leading journals like Journal of Banking & Finance and Quantitative Finance Invited presentations at major finance conferences (Jackson Hole, AFA, DGF) As Rector, he maintains active research collaborations with scholars including Mogens Steffensen (University of Copenhagen), N. Branger, T. Dangl, and L. Garlappi. He serves on the editorial board of Risks journal and has consulted for provincial education policy bodies.
Umberto Garlando is a Fixed-Term Assistant Professor and Researcher at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (DET) of Politecnico di Torino (PoliTO) . He is also a member of the Interdepartmental Center PIC4SeR (PoliTO Interdepartmental Centre for Service Robotics). His academic role focuses on integrating electronics with agritech applications. Current positions: Fixed-Term Assistant Professor (Law 240/10 art.24-a) Department: Electronics and Telecommunications (DET) Research centers: PIC4SeR Garlando's research spans Electrical and Electronic Engineering , Smart Electronic Systems , and Sustainable Agriculture . He specializes in Agritech applications, including sensor systems for plant health monitoring , smart irrigation systems , and tracking systems for the food chain . His work also explores Nanocomputing , particularly CAD tools for emerging technologies . Recent publications highlight his contributions to low-power integrated circuits for agricultural monitoring, IoT-based water stress detection , and energy-autonomous sensor systems for plant impedance analysis. These works reflect his focus on precision agriculture and sustainable farming technologies . Garlando currently supervises PhD students Vincenzo Giannone and Luca Rolle in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering . His teaching responsibilities include Embedded Systems Integration and Sensors and Data Transmission/IoT for Agriculture at both Electronic Engineering and Agritech Engineering programs.
Andrea Pitacco is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Environment and Energy (DAFNAE) at the University of Padova, Italy. His academic field is AGR/03 (Arboriculture and Tree Cultivation), with research focused on viticulture and precision agriculture. Based at the Agripolis campus in Legnaro (Padova), he maintains an active research profile in plant-environment interactions. Dr. Pitacco's research spans multiple dimensions of modern viticulture, with particular emphasis on carbon and water flux dynamics in vineyard ecosystems. His work integrates micrometeorological techniques, remote sensing, and physiological approaches to address climate change impacts on grapevine production. Key research areas include: Carbon footprint analysis and carbon farming potential in vineyards Effects of climate extremes on grapevine physiology Microclimate modification through protective netting systems Soil management impacts on erosion and greenhouse gas emissions Plant-pathogen interactions under abiotic stress conditions His publication record demonstrates strong methodological expertise in eddy covariance measurements and turbulent flow characterization within vineyard canopies. The research output shows consistent focus on Mediterranean agricultural systems with practical applications for sustainable viticulture. Dr. Pitacco actively contributes to understanding how vineyards function as carbon sinks/sources and how management practices can optimize environmental performance while maintaining productivity. His work connects fundamental plant physiology with practical agricultural applications in changing climatic conditions.
Giorgio Gusella is a Researcher at the Department of Plant Pathology (University of Catania). His work focuses on the characterization of emerging fungal pathogens in citrus and other crops, including morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analysis, as well as the development of innovative biological control strategies using agents like Bacillus and Trichoderma spp. Research Interests Emerging fungal pathogens in citrus (Pleosporaceae, Glomerellaceae, Botryosphaeriaceae) Pathogen susceptibility and resistance to fungicides Evaluation of biological control agents and biostimulants Alternatives to copper-based plant protection products Contact & Office Hours Email: giorgio.gusella@unict.it | Office: Room 324, Di3A, via S. Sofia 100, Catania Office hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 13:00 (advance email notice appreciated).
Luigimaria Borruso is a Tenured Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences at the Free University of Bolzano. Their research focuses on soil and molecular ecology, microbial communities in agro-ecosystems, and environmental DNA (eDNA) applications for biodiversity conservation. University: Free University of Bolzano School: Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences Email: luigimaria.borruso@unibz.it Research Interests: Soil and molecular ecology Plant-fungal/bacterial-soil interactions (Agro)-ecological networks in apple orchards and vineyards Soil quality indicators Agroecology Environmental DNA (eDNA) in soil biodiversity conservation Science education for soil literacy Recent Publications Trends: Recent works explore microplastics in soil systems, biochar-microbe partnerships for crop growth, microbial dynamics in extreme environments (volcanoes, Antarctica), and applications of metabarcoding in conservation biology (lemurs, bats). They also investigate sustainable agricultural practices, including living labs and soil enzyme analysis via machine learning. Courses Taught: General Chemistry and Biochemistry at the bachelor's level, and advanced topics like Soil Ecology, Statistical Methods for Agricultural Research, and Soil Protection in master's programs.
Francesco Scollo is a Research Fellow at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) of the University of Catania. His work focuses on molecular characterization of plant genetic resources, particularly olive and carob trees, and DNA-based traceability in food matrices like extra virgin olive oil. He pioneered the use of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for DNA quantification in olive oil and has published extensively on genetic diversity and sustainable agricultural practices. Research Areas: Genetic improvement, molecular traceability, Mediterranean agriculture Techniques: AFLP, SSR, SNPs, HRM, ddPCR Award: 2018 Antico Fattore Award for olive oil DNA quantification Recent publications (2025–2022) emphasize germplasm conservation in carob trees, water management in olive orchards, and agrochemical residue reduction in table grapes. His work bridges plant genetics and food security in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Salvatore Barbagallo is a Full Professor of Agricultural Hydraulics at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Catania, where he has been teaching since 2001. He holds office in the Engineering Area at Via Santa Sofia, 100, Room 23, and maintains regular office hours on Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00. His academic career spans over three decades, beginning with his graduation in Hydraulic Engineering from the University of Catania in 1981. His educational background includes: Graduated in Hydraulic Engineering from the University of Catania (1981) Professor Barbagallo's research focuses on critical water management issues, particularly in Mediterranean agricultural contexts. His work addresses the sustainable use of water resources through innovative approaches to wastewater treatment and reuse. He has pioneered research on phytoremediation systems using constructed wetlands for treating urban and agro-industrial wastewater. His investigations extend to understanding the effects of wastewater reuse on crop production, agricultural product quality, and potential health implications. Professor Barbagallo also contributes significantly to water resources planning frameworks that balance agricultural needs with environmental protection requirements, particularly in water-scarce regions like Sicily. Through his extensive publication record of approximately 180 scientific papers, Professor Barbagallo has established himself as a leading expert in agricultural water management. His research demonstrates a consistent trajectory toward developing practical, sustainable solutions for water reuse in agriculture, with particular attention to Mediterranean cropping systems. The breadth of his work spans from fundamental studies on treatment processes to applied research on implementation strategies and policy frameworks. His scientific recognition includes: Membership in the prestigious Academy of Georgofili of Florence Membership in the Academy of Zelanti and Dafnici of Acireale Professor Barbagallo has supervised numerous research projects and doctoral students throughout his career, though specific student names are not documented in the available materials. He has coordinated multiple national and international research initiatives, including his current role as scientific director of a Ministry of Economic Development project focused on sustainable use of citrus processing by-products. His leadership extends to significant administrative roles, having served as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Catania (2002-2008) and President of the Evaluation Committee of the University of Catania (2017-2021). His laboratory and research team, operating under the Center for Studies in Economics Applied to Engineering in Catania (CSEI-Catania), which he directs, focuses on practical applications of water management technologies. The team works closely with regional authorities and agricultural stakeholders to implement and monitor wastewater reuse systems throughout Sicily, with particular attention to the Ragusa province where citrus production is prominent.
Santa Olga Cacciola is a Full Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Catania , Italy, with over 30 years of experience in plant pathology, molecular diagnostics, and sustainable disease management. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in Phytophthora diseases, citrus pathology, and bioremediation strategies using fungi and oomycetes. She has coordinated and participated in numerous EU and international projects, including PRIMA, PROMETEO, and COST Actions, and has served on editorial boards of leading journals such as Plant Disease , Plants (MDPI) , and Journal of Fungi . Education and Career: PhD in Plant Pathology – University of Bari Postdoctoral fellowships: University of Bern (Roche Foundation), Johns Hopkins University (NIH), and SCRI UK (OECD/OECE) Associate Professor – University of Palermo (1998–2008) Full Professor – University of Catania (2008–present) National Habilitation as Full Professor – ASN 2012 & 2013 Research Interests: Her research spans plant pathology , molecular diagnostics , bioremediation , and biological control . Key areas include: Phytophthora and fungal diseases of citrus and Mediterranean crops Molecular phylogeny and diagnostics of plant pathogens Metagenomics of plant pathogens Colletotrichum anthracnose on olive Genetic variability of pathogen populations Bioremediation using filamentous fungi Plant-pathogen-antagonist molecular interactions Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Fulbright Grant (2017–2018) VQR Evaluation: Score 1 (Excellent) Top Scientist Award – University of Catania (2005–2009) Research evaluation excellence – Italian National Agency Advising and Grants: She has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students and has served on doctoral committees across multiple universities. She has coordinated or participated in over 20 national and international projects, including PRIMA, PROMETEO, COST Actions, and Erasmus+. Labs and Teams: She leads a research group at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A) , University of Catania, and collaborates extensively with international institutions such as UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, USDA, and The James Hutton Institute.
Cherubino Leonardi serves as Full Professor of Horticulture and Floriculture at the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Catania, maintaining active office hours and research operations as of 2025. His contact includes dual institutional and personal email addresses alongside direct phone access. Education: Graduated in Agricultural Sciences (110/110 with honors) in 1988 PhD obtained in 1994 Conducted research at INRA Avignon (France) in 1992, 1997, and 1998 Research Focus: Dr. Leonardi's work targets sustainable production systems through four interconnected pillars. Crop diversification assesses innovative species adaptation across environments while identifying optimal cultivars. His stress physiology research analyzes Mediterranean-specific challenges like salinity and thermal extremes. Specialized nursery science investigates graft-rootstock dynamics in vegetable propagation, complemented by soilless cultivation innovations in substrate selection and closed-loop nutrient management. These efforts collectively enhance product quality while minimizing ecological impact. Research Leadership: He coordinates nationally and internationally funded projects (EU, Ministry of Agricultural Policies), having directed the International PhD program (2013-2021) and currently serving on the Experimental Agricultural Farm's Management Board. His ORCID profile (0000-0002-9486-3231) documents 180+ publications with H-index 30 and 3,600+ citations. Professional Engagement: Active in SOI, ISHS, SIA, and Accademia dei Georgofili, he chairs the Di3A Teacher-Student Commission while serving on CORFILAC's Board. His conference leadership includes the 2024 Morocco ISHS symposium and 2021 SOI Scientific Days.
