CURRENT POSITIONS
Since 2024
PhD Candidate in Earth, Life and Environmental Sciences (STVA), 40th cycle, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (SSD BIO/08).
Project title: Biology and mobility patterns of Avar populations in Italy during the 7th century.
Supervisor: Prof. Maria Giovanna Belcastro.
Since 2025
Teaching Tutor for the course “00044 Antropologia”, SSD BIO/16, 10 hours, Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Natural Sciences, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
Since 2024
Teaching Tutor for the course “67008 Anatomia Umana (module 2)”, SSD BIO/16, 12 hours, Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Biological Sciences, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
PREVIOUS POSITIONS
A.Y. 2023–2024
Adjunct Professor and member of the examination committee for the course “14030 – Antropometria ed Ergonomia (module 2)”, SSD BIO/08, 3 ECTS, 47 hours, Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Rimini campus), Department of Quality of Life Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
01/04/2023 – 31/07/2024
Research contractor for the CATA research project (“Celts Across The Alps”) at the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna.
Funding: FWF (Austrian Science Fund).
Principal Investigator: Dr. Peter C. Ramsl (University of Vienna).
Italian partner: Prof. Maria Giovanna Belcastro (BiGeA Department).
CATA project website: https://cata.univie.ac.at/
EDUCATION
13/12/2022
Master’s Degree (MSc) in Biodiversity and Evolution (LM-6), Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (thesis in Anthropology).
18/12/2019
Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in Biological Sciences (L-13), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (thesis in Zoology).
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS (first author)
2025
Award for one of the best outreach presentations within the “TOP TEN 2025” series, organised by the Accademia delle Scienze dell’Istituto di Bologna.
2023
Best poster award – Morphological patterns of lower limb fibrous entheses in juvenile skeletons, by Mameli, D., Pietrobelli, A., Mariotti, V., Belcastro, M. G., XXV Congress of the Associazione Antropologica Italiana, Turin, 6–8/9/2023.
PUBLICATIONS
Please refer to the dedicated section.
TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY
For the Office of the Public Prosecutor (Italian Courts)
05/02/2025
Examined unidentified human skeletal remains found during excavations commissioned by the Municipality of Forlì and carried out as part of the restoration works at Palazzo del Merenda, following the report sent by the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le Province di Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena e Ravenna on 03/01/2025.
19/12/2023
Examined unidentified human skeletal remains found in the context of investigative activities related to Criminal Proceeding no. 5801/2023 R.G.N.R. Mod. 21, Office of the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Reggio Emilia (Dr. Isabella Chiesi, Deputy Prosecutor).
DISSEMINATION
14/02/2026
Teaching activity for the programme “UNIJUNIOR, conoscere per crescere”.
1-hour lecture titled: “Le ossa sono per sempre – Lo scheletro come diario di viaggio dell’umanità nel tempo e nello spazio”.
13/11/2025
Speaker in the outreach series “TOP TEN 2025” – day dedicated to animal and plant biological sciences, organised by the Accademia delle Scienze dell’Istituto di Bologna; talk selected among the best outreach presentations (award winner).
08/02/2025
Teaching activity for the programme “UNIJUNIOR, conoscere per crescere”.
1-hour lecture titled: “Siamo tutti cugini! Il viaggio dell’umanità attraverso il tempo e lo spazio”.
