Full Professor of Botany – University of Bologna
Adjunct Professor – Food Futures Institute / Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, Murdoch University (Australia)
Prof. Alessandra Zambonelli is a Full Professor of Botany at the University of Bologna and an internationally recognized scientist in mycology, plant biology, and ectomycorrhizal fungi, with a particular focus on truffle biology, ecology, conservation, and cultivation. Her research combines fundamental biological investigation with applied innovation, contributing significantly to sustainable agri‑food systems, biodiversity conservation, and environmental resilience.
She graduated summa cum laude in Agricultural Sciences and earned a PhD in Plant Pathology. She has pursued a continuous academic career at the University of Bologna, progressing from Researcher to Associate Professor and becoming Full Professor in 2016. She obtained the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for Full Professor in 2012.
Scientific Impact and Publications
Prof. Zambonelli has authored over 300 scientific publications, including 136 indexed in Scopus, with an h‑index of 34 and more than 5,400 citations. Her research has made substantial contributions to:
- Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis and fungal ecology
- Truffle biology, biodiversity, and cultivation technologies
- Soil–plant–microbe interactions and ecosystem functioning
She is co‑author of the internationally acclaimed book Taming the Truffle (Timber Press), a landmark reference widely cited in both academia and applied sectors. She has also co‑edited major international reference volumes published by Springer in the Soil Biology series, including Edible Ectomycorrhizal Mushrooms and True Truffles (Tuber spp.) in the World.
Research Leadership and Projects
Prof. Zambonelli has extensive experience in research coordination and leadership at national and international levels. She has served as Principal Investigator or Unit Leader in numerous PRIN/COFIN programmes, regional and interregional initiatives, Biodiversa+ project, and bilateral collaborations. She participated at numerous Horizon and LIFE projects.
She is a member of key international scientific consortia, including the Tuber Genome Consortium and the 1K Fungal Genomes Project, representing Italy in global efforts to advance fungal genomics and biodiversity research. Her current activities involve multiple Horizon Europe projects addressing microbiomes, plant–fungus interactions, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable agriculture.
Scientific Service and International Recognition
Prof. Zambonelli has held prominent leadership roles in scientific societies, including President and Vice‑President of European and Italian mycological associations, contributing to the development of mycological research and policy at national and international levels.
She serves as:
- Editor‑in‑Chief, Italian Journal of Mycology
- Section Editor, Plants (MDPI)
- Review Editor, Frontiers in Microbiology
She regularly reviews for leading international journals and acts as an expert evaluator for major European and international funding agencies. She has participated in more than 70 international conferences and is frequently invited as a keynote or plenary speaker.
Teaching, Mentorship, and Research Infrastructure
Prof. Zambonelli has taught Botany, Plant Pathology, and Applied Mycology in undergraduate and postgraduate coursesShe was the Director of the Master’s programme in Agri‑Food Mycology and has supervised numerous PhD candidates and early‑career researchers in Italy and abroad. Actually she is member of the PdD scientific commitee of the phD Health, Safety and Green Systems of Bologna University.
She is responsible for the CMI‑UniBo Herbarium of Hypogeous Fungi, which includes over 5,500 truffle specimens from worldwide collections, representing a unique resource for biodiversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic studies. She also coordinates advanced mycological laboratories equipped for microbial and genetic analyses, as well as greenhouse and controlled‑environment research facilities.
