Education and professional
experiences
• Born in Bologna (Italy) on 19.11.1964.
• 1988: graduated with honour at the Faculty of Mathematics,
Physics and Natural Sciences of the University of Bologna.
• 1995: Visiting Scientist at the Research and Development Section
in CIBA (Basel, Switzerland).
• 1996: PhD degree in Field Crops (University of Bologna, Italy)
defending the thesis entitled “Environmental fate of sulfonylurea
herbicides applied on herbaceous crops”.
• 1997: Post-doc grant in Agronomic Sciences at the University of
Bologna (Italy) on the program entitled “Study of herbicide
resistance in crops and weeds”.
• 1999: Researcher at the Department of Agro-environmental Science
and Technology of University of Bologna (Italy).
• 2005: Associate Professor at the Department of Agro-environmental
Science and Technology of University of Bologna (Italy).
• 2007: Coordinator of the PhD course “Agroenvironmental Science”
(Department of Agroenvironmental Science and Technology, University
of Bologna, Italy).
· From 2007 to 2013 he was coordinator of the PhD program in “Agro-environmental Sciences” of the Agriculture Faculty of the University of Bologna.
· In 2013 he obtained the national qualification as Full Professor in the disciplinary field AGR/02, and in 2014 he was appointed Full Professor at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna.
· From 2013 to 2018 he was Coordinator of the PhD program in “Agricultural, Environmental, Food Science and Technology” at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna
· From 2018 to 2020 he was Coordinator of the Second Cycle Degree in Agricultural Science and Technology (University of Bologna).
· Since 2018 he has been Director and lecturer of the 1st Level Master’s program in Organic Production, renamed in 2022 as 1st Level Master’s program in “Organic production and agroecology”
· Since 2019 he has served as external board member of the CONSORZIO IL BIOLOGICO Soc. Coop.
· In 2024 he was elected Director for the three-year period 2024–2027 of the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna.
· In 2024 he was elected Senator of Academic Senate of the Università di Bologna. The term lasts three years.
· Since 2024 he has been a member of the Impartiality Safeguard Committee of Suolo e Salute Srl (a control and certification body).
Teaching activity
Since 1999, Giovanni Dinelli has been performing teaching activity
at academic level. The main courses were:
• “Biology and physiology of herbaceous crops" (3 credits, Course
of Vegetal Biotechnologies, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and
Natural Sciences of University of Bologna, Italy),
• "Weed Management" (3 credits, Course in Management of Landscape
and Ornamental Vegetation", Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Bologna, Italy)
• "Techniques and biotechnologies of weed control" (4 credits,
Course of Green Biotechnologies, Agriculture Faculty of University
of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy).
• "Crop biodiversity" (2 credits, Course of Vegetal
Biotechnologies, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Natural
Sciences of University of Bologna, Italy),
• "General Agronomy and Vegetal Ecology” (6 credits, Course in
Management of Landscape and Ornamental Vegetation", Faculty of
Agriculture, University of Bologna, Italy);
• "Physiology and Quality of Crop Productions” (6 credits, Course
in Agronomic Science and Technolgies; Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Bologna, Italy).
• "Biotechnologies for Crop Production" (3 credits, Course of
Biotechnology, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Natural Sciences
of University of Bologna, Italy),
Research interests
Between 1985 and 1988, he carried out research at the Department of Biochemistry, Università of Bologna, focusing on cellular biochemistry, with particular reference to studies on the mitochondrial component.
Since 1989, he has conducted basic and applied research at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna. His main research topics have included the development of innovative analytical techniques for the trace detection of pesticides (herbicides) in water and soil; the study of the environmental dispersion of herbicides (mobility, persistence, degradation in water and soil, adsorption); the ecology and physiology of weed species (with particular reference to the role of weeds in influencing agroecosystem biodiversity); and the study of the biochemical mechanisms underlying herbicide resistance phenomena in weed populations (metabolism, absorption and translocation of active ingredients, modification of metabolic targets).
For about two decades, he has coordinated a research group mainly focused on investigating issues related to the sustainability of agricultural production, with particular emphasis on the impact of agricultural management on ecosystems, the effects of farming practices on biodiversity, and the relationships between the use of agricultural inputs and environmental pollution. Special emphasis is placed on improving organic and low-impact farming systems (including integrated agriculture), through the development of innovative agro-ecological strategies, with additional attention given to the nutritional/functional quality of food.
He has participated as a speaker at numerous national and international conferences in the fields of agronomy and the valorization of national agricultural production.
His scientific output includes 180 publications, 165 of which are full papers published in international journals with impact factor [h-index = 42; total number of citations (excluding self-citations) = 5128, source: Scopus – 15/09/2025].
In 2005, at the invitation of Prof. F. Yildiz and Prof. H. Adlercreutz, editors of the book Phytoestrogens in Functional Food (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2006), he contributed a chapter entitled “Biosynthesis of Polyphenol Phytoestrogens in Plants.”
In 2006, he was invited by Prof. F. Yildiz, editor of the book Applied Food Biochemistry (CRC Press, New York, USA), published in December 2009, to contribute a chapter entitled “Physiologically Bioactive Compounds of Functional Foods, Herbs and Dietary Supplements.”
He is co-author of the volume Produzione ed impiego delle piante officinali (Catizone P., Barbanti L., Marotti I., Dinelli G., 2013 – Patron Editore, 348 pp.), designed as a reference text for Bachelor’s Degree programs in Scienze Erboristiche.
He is also co-author of the volume Principi di Agronomia (Baldoni G., Dinelli G., 2024 – Edizioni UTET, 408 pp.), intended as a textbook for General Agronomy courses in Bachelor’s Degree programs in Tecnologie Agrarie.
Research projects
· 1999–2000 – Principal Investigator of a “Young Researchers Project”, funded by the University of Bologna, entitled “Study of biodiversity of weedy herbaceous species (Amaranthus spp.) at field scale”.
· 2001–2002 – Principal Investigator of a research project funded by IMONT (Institute for Scientific and Technological Research on Mountain Areas) entitled “Valorization of mountain agricultural productions: nutritional characterization of plant specialties”.
· 2003–2005 – Participant in the project funded by the Ministry of Education and Research (PRIN projects), entitled “Agronomic, nutraceutical implications and new uses of traditional legumes in Mediterranean environments” (National Coordinator: Prof. P. Catizone, project code 2003075875).
· 2004–2009 – Scientific Coordinator of the research project “Resistance to glyphosate: setting-up of strategies to protect herbicide activity”, funded by Syngenta Ltd. (Switzerland).
· 2005–2008 – Coordinator of the Research Unit “Study of the ecophysiology of Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae weeds of sugar beet and processing tomato under organic farming” for the project “New production systems of industrial crops under highly sustainable, traceable and competitive organic regime”, funded by MiPAAF.
· 2005–2008 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “New adjuvants for weed control”, funded by Intrachem (Italy).
· 2007–2009 – Scientific Coordinator of the UNIBO Research Unit in the PRIN project “Valorization of common and durum wheat genotypes: macronutritional characteristics and functional properties” (National Coordinator: Prof. C. Vazzana, project code 2006070041_003).
· 2007–2009 – Scientific Coordinator of the Strategic University Project “Legumes as natural sources of phytoestrogens and melatonin as a function of innovative and sustainable production inputs”, funded by the University of Bologna (Coordinator: Prof. P. Catizone).
· 2008–2009 – Scientific Representative of the project “Crop management of organically grown strawberry to preserve its qualitative characteristics: testing the effectiveness of highly diluted chemical compounds (FROM)”, funded by the Piedmont Region.
· 2008–2011 – Participant in the project “The Sustainable Greenhouse (SUSTGREENHOUSE)”, European Commission DG ENV Life+ 2007 project – LIFE07 ENV/IT/000516, funded by the EU (Life+ Nature & Biodiversity, 2007 call).
· 2009–2010 – Coordinator of the project “Ancient wheat genotypes for improving human well-being and preventing food intolerances”, funded by Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
· 2009–2012 – Participant in the three-year project “Quinoa”, funded by the EU 7th Framework Programme – call FP-PEOPLE-IRSES-2008 (Coordinator: D. Bazile, CIRAD-France).
· 2009–2012 – Scientific Coordinator of the three-year project “Health Bread: short supply chain project for the valorization of ancient accessions of common wheat”, funded by MiPAAF (Department SVIRIS IV) – OIGA call DM 2065 13.02.2008.
· 2009–2013 – Participant in the four-year project “Validation of risk management tools for genetically modified plants in protected and sensitive areas in Italy (MAN-GMP-ITA)”, funded by the EU – Life+ Nature & Biodiversity – 2008 call.
· 2009–2013 – Coordinator of the three-year project “Bio-Bread: short supply chain project for organic and biodynamic farming in Emilia-Romagna (BIOPANE)”, funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region (LR 28/1998, resolution 124/2009).
· 2010 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “Study of the effectiveness of AGROSOL® bio-fertilizer treatments on extensive crops”, funded by INTRACHEM BIO ITALIA S.p.A.
· 2010 – Coordinator of the project “Development of standard methods for monitoring and controlling genetic contamination from crop to crop and to related wild species in oilseed rape”, funded by the Ministry of the Environment.
· 2010–2011 – Co-coordinator, with Dr. Lucietta Betti, of the research project “Setting up of a molecular model for the evaluation of the effects of homeopathic treatments on cellular metabolism of wheat and strawberry”, funded by Boiron (France).
· 2010–2012 – Participant in the three-year project “Innovative biological treatments for optimizing phytosanitary, organoleptic and nutraceutical quality in strawberry (BIOFRAME)”, funded by the Province of Trento.
· 2010–2014 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “Integrated study for the evaluation of the functional properties of KAMUT® khorasan grain aimed at the setting-up of specific health claims”, funded by Kamut Enterprises of Europe BVBA (Belgium).
· 2011 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “Study of the effectiveness of treatments with ENtricon and ENbraso bio-fertilizers”, funded by INTRACHEM BIO ITALIA S.p.A.
· 2011 – Coordinator of the project “Wheat and health: bioactive peptides for a new concept of functional quality”, funded by Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna.
· 2012 – Coordinator of the project “Agricultural biodiversity for the safeguard of Italian genetic resources: Brassicaceae in Emilia-Romagna”, funded by the Ministry of the Environment.
· 2012–2016 – Participant in the project “Assessing and Monitoring the Impacts of Genetically Modified Plants on Agro-ecosystems (AMIGA)”, funded by the EU (7th Framework Programme).
· 2012–2016 – Participant in the project “Beneficial effects of dietary bioactive peptides and polyphenols on cardiovascular health in humans (BACCHUS)”, funded by the EU (7th Framework Programme, Grant 312090).
· 2013–2014 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “Durum wheat, spelt and common wheat: digestibility, assimilability and allergenicity”, funded by ALCE NERO & MIELIZIA S.p.A.
· 2013–2016 – Participant in the project “Traditional Food Network to Improve the Transfer of Knowledge for Innovation (TRAFOON)”, funded by the EU (7th Framework Programme, Project 613912).
· 2014–2015 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “VIRGO: Validation and Integration in earthquake-affected areas of Emilia-Romagna of a short supply chain project for regional organic cereal farming”, funded by the Emilia-Romagna Region.
· 2015–2019 – Coordinator of the UNIBO Research Unit “Embedding crop diversity and networking for local high-quality food systems (DIVERSIFOOD)”, funded by the EU (H2020, Project 633571).
· 2016–2019 – Coordinator of the UNIBO unit “Innovative food product development cycle: frame for setting up research excellence of FINS (FOODSTARS)”, funded by the EU (H2020 TWINN 2015).
· 2016–2019 – Scientific and managerial coordinator of the Operational Group “Adaptation of varietal mixtures and evolutionary populations of common wheat for organic production in Emilia-Romagna (BIOADAPT)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2016–2019 – Technical-scientific coordinator for cereals of the Operational Group “APPEN.BIO: From the Apennines food for health (APPENBIO)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2016–2019 – Technical-scientific coordinator of the project “Maize, hemp, wheat and vegetables for reducing external inputs and nitrates in water (MACARENA)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2016–2019 – Technical-scientific coordinator of the project “Creation of a sustainable best practices model for the valorization of ancient common wheat varieties (BIOVANT)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2017–2019 – Organizational and technical-scientific coordinator of the Operational Group “Safeguard and valorization of ancient common wheat varieties (SAVE)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2018–2019 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “Sustainability Charter Mulino Bianco”, funded by Barilla S.p.A.
· 2018–2019 – Scientific Coordinator of the project “Effects of Homeopathic Treatments in Plant and Cell-based Bioassays”, funded by Hylands (USA).
· 2018–2021 – European Coordinator of “GREAT LIFE – Growing Resilient Agriculture”, funded by EU LIFE (Project LIFE17 CCA/IT/000067).
· 2019–2021 – Scientific Coordinator of the Operational Group “High-dilution preparations for plant protection (PADBIO)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2019–2021 – Scientific Coordinator of the Operational Group “Strengthening the sustainable soft wheat supply chain according to the Carta del Mulino (CARTA Mulino Bianco)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2019–2021 – Scientific Coordinator of the Operational Group “Establishing a supply chain to valorize ancient cereals in inner areas (Val.Ce.a)”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2020–2021 – Project Leader of “SPIN – SPermidin and eugenol INtegrator for contrasting incidence of coronavirus in EU population”, funded by EIT Food (Fast CALL 2020).
· 2020–2022 – Scientific and managerial coordinator of the Operational Group “GLIFO-STOP: alternative model to glyphosate use”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2020–2022 – Scientific Coordinator of the Operational Group “SALUTE: reduction of acrylamide content in soft wheat-based products”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2020–2023 – Coordinator of the UNIBO Operational Unit “Protein pea for animal feed (PROTAGONISTI)”, funded by MiPAAF.
· 2021–2023 – Member of the Scientific Committee of the Operational Group “FILODOR: nettle supply chain”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2021–2023 – Principal Investigator of the project “BIONATURE: low environmental impact protection with natural products against emerging entomological adversities”, PSR 2014–2020.
· 2022–2026 – Participant, UNIBO Research Unit “ENFASYS – Finding effective policy interventions and business strategies that can support farmers towards more”, Horizon 2022 (Grant 101059589).
· 2023–2027 – Coordinator of the UNIBO Research Unit “CONSERWA – Evidence-based support for transition to agroecological weed management in diverse farming systems and European regions”, Horizon 2023 (Grant 101081802).
· 2024–2025 – WP Leader of “AGROWISE – Guideline for farm-specific rules for mitigating pesticide impacts while ensuring sustainable agriculture”, LIFE23-PRE-FR-AGROWISE/101148740.
· 2024–2028 – European Coordinator of “IMAGE LIFE – Improving the resilience of Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain”, LIFE23-CCA-IT-IMAGE-LIFE/101156343
Patents
He is co-inventor (Dinelli G., Marotti I., Di Gioia D., Biavati B., Gaggia F., Baffoni L., Bosi S., Accorsi M.) of the international patent WO2017017633 (A1) entitled “Composition and method for promoting the growth of herbaceous plants and favouring an accumulation of organic matter in the soil”.
He is co-inventor (D’amen E., Dinelli G., Truzzi F.) of the Italian patent IT202100007331A1 entitled “Process for the extraction of polyamines from complex natural matrices”.
Affiliations and services
He is a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Agricoltura (IF 3.6). He is a member of the Italian Society of Agronomy and the European Society of Agronomy.
