I work on trophic ecology and marine biodiversity, with particular focus on demersal ecosystems in the Adriatic Sea. I integrate traditional and innovative approaches, including gut content analysis, stable isotope analysis and DNA metabarcoding, to investigate diet, species interactions and ecosystem functioning. My research also includes the monitoring of demersal resources and the study of invasive species. I have gained extensive experience in oceanographic surveys and in integrating biological and molecular data with environmental observation and data-collection systems. I have carried out research periods at Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and I collaborate with national and international working groups focused on fisheries and marine biodiversity.
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
