Marialetizia Fioravanti

CURRICULUM VITAE OF MARIALETIZIA FIORAVANTI

e-mail marialeti.fioravanti@unibo.it - Tel. 051 2097557

Current position : Full Professor S.D.S. VET/06 Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases of Animals - Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET) - Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna

EDUCATION

A.Y. 1984/85 : degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Bologna University with 110/110 cum laude

1986 : qualification at the veterinary profession

A.Y. 1986/87 : Painting Diploma at the Academy of Fine Arts, Bologna

A.Y.1997/98 : PhD in “Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases of Domestic Animals”

De facto diplomate of the European College of Aquatic Animal Health (ECAAH).

She attended several national and international vocational trainings on: Hygienic-sanitary control of the fisheries products, Veterinary hygiene, Aquaculture and pathology of freshwater fish, Veterinary epidemiology, Fish parasitology, Fish health management in sea bass and sea bream farming, Fish vaccination, Risk analysis in aquatic animal health, Use of veterinary drugs and vaccines in Mediterranean aquaculture. Furthermore, she attended several workshops, seminars and conferences on aquaculture, fish pathology, parasitology and parasitic zoonoses.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1987-1989 : contract work for Animal Production Research Center in Reggio Emilia on “Surveys of epidemiology, damages and prophylaxis of diseases in grazing animals”.

1990-1996 : technician in the Parasitology lab of the Institute of Infectious Diseases, Prophylaxis and Veterinary Hygiene in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bologna University (then Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, now Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences).

1996-1999 : fish pathologist in BioMar, multinational company in the field of fish feeding and aquaculture.

1999-2001 : researcher owing to S.D.S. VET/06 at the Veterinary Faculty of Bologna, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, now Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences.

Since 2001 up to 2018: associated professor (VET/06 SDS) in the same Department; confirmed in role on February 2005.

From October 2018: full professor (VET/06 SDS) at the same Department

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Currently: Parasitology and Mycology (I.C. Microbiology and Parasitology) at the degree course in Veterinary Medicine and Parasitic Diseases of Aquatic Animals at the degree course in Aquaculture and Hygiene of Fish Productions – University of Bologna.

Teaching courses held at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine/Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences in Bologna University:

1990-1996: assistant in the practical lectures of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases Courses (Veterinary Medicine degree) and Diffusive Pathologies, Hygiene and Prophylaxis in Aquaculture (Animal Productions Diploma - Aquaculture and Mariculture). Since 1990 member of examination commissions for VET/06 teaching courses.

Diploma in Animal Productions - Aquaculture and Mariculture

“Diffusive Pathologies, Hygiene and Prophylaxis in Aquaculture - Veterinary Parasitology” (1999/00 and 2000/01)

Degree in Aquaculture and Fish Pathology, now Aquaculture and Hygiene of Fish Productions

“Infectious diseases of aquatic animals” (2001/02 e 02/03)

“Pathology of Cetaceans” (since 2006/07 up to 2009/10)

“Parasitic diseases of aquatic animals” (since 2001/02 up to now)

Degree in Safety and Quality of Animal Products

“Parasitic Diseases" (2002/03 and 2003/04)

“Hygiene and prophylaxis of Infectious Diseases in aquaculture” (since 2006/07 up to 2008/09)

“Hygiene and Prophylaxis of Parasitic Diseases in aquaculture” (since 2006/07 up to 2008/09)

"Control of fish transmissible diseases" (since 2009/10 up to 2011/2012)

“Health and Hygiene in Fish Farming Systems” (since 2011/12 up to 2016/17)

Degree in Veterinary Medicine

“Parasitology and Mycology” (I.C. Microbiology and Parasitology) (since 2017/18 up to now)

Post-graduate school in "Inspection of animal products"

"Parasitology applied to animal products inspection" (since 2006/07 up to 2008/09)

Post-graduate school in "Animal Health, husbandry and animal production"

“Health and farming of marine fish” (2009/10)

“Control of parasitic diseases of aquatic animals” (since 2019/2020 up to now)

Teacher on topics concerning fish pathology, parasitic diseases of aquatic animals and fish-borne zoonoses in masters, seminars, workshops, training courses and post-graduate schools organized by several public academic and not academic institutions.

Supervisor of >90 degree theses, 8 PhD and >20 post-graduate schools’ theses on veterinary parasitology, fish pathology and fish-borne zoonoses.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Responsible, within an ISO:9001 certified Quality System, of the Service of Transmissible Diseases and Veterinary Public Health (2016 to date) and of the Fish Pathology Unit (2001 to date) at DIMEVET, UNIBO.

Member of the Council of the PhD in Veterinary Sciences of Bologna University (2012 to date).

Member of the GTA (Thematic Group for the Competitive Research) on Agro-Food of the University of Bologna appointed by the Rector (2017 to 2021).

Member of the research commission of DIMEVET, UNIBO (2018 to 2021).

Director of the post-graduate Master in Aquaculture and Fish Pathology of Bologna University (2013/14-2015/16).

President of the Degree Course in Aquaculture and Fish Pathology (now Aquaculture and Hygiene of Fish Productions) of the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna University (2007/2008).

Member of the advisory committee on the use of alien species in aquaculture appointed by the Direzione Generale della Pesca Marittima e dell’Acquacoltura of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture.

Since A.Y. 1986/87 up to 95/96 : researches on parasitic diseases of domestic animals (intestinal helminthic diseases, tick infestations, mapping of ixodological species in Italian regions, infections due to Cryptosporidium sp. in cattle and buffaloes, canine dirofilariasis, aelurostrongilosis of cat), human parasitoses (myases, cercarial dermatitis, dirofilariasis); parasitic diseases of aquatic organisms (infections due to larval stages of digeneans in bivalves and gastropods, helminthic diseases of cetaceans, infestations by Anisakid larvae in marine fish, life cycle and pathogenic effect of Anguillicoloides (Anguillicola) crassus, fish-borne parasitic zoonoses relevant in Italy, parasitic fauna of freshwater and saltwater fish populations).

A.Y. 1994/95, 95/96 and 96/97 : researches on parasites of wild freshwater fish and study of epidemiology of anisakiasis in marine fish caught along the Italian coasts.

Since 1996 to 1999 , as fish pathologist vet in BioMar, responsible of veterinary support in several Italian aquaculture and mariculture facilities and co-operator in several R&D activities, i.e. the use of immunostimulants in prophylaxis and control of fish diseases and the efficacy of diet on the welfare of farmed fish.

Since 1999 till now , research activities on pathology of aquatic animals and parasitic zoonoses, with particular attention to: parasitic and bacterial pathogens of ornamental fish imported or produced in Italy, focusing mainly on zoonoses; epidemiology, biology and pathogenesis of Myxozoan parasites in farmed fish; characterization of the parasitic fauna of aquatic animals resident (both wild and farmed) in Italian territory; study of the pathogenic effects of parasites in farmed marine fish; investigations on the presence and diffusion of zoonotic protozoans in bivalve molluscs in Italy; veterinary and public health aspects linked to aquaculture in Eastern Africa; study of major infectious diseases affecting freshwater and marine finfish farmed in Italy; epidemiology of fish-borne parasitic zoonoses (diphyllobothriasis, anisakiasis and opistorchiasis). Furthermore, during last decade, she has been involved in researches on other parasitic zoonoses such as Dirofilariasis and Tungiasis.

Research Projects

Since 1986 to 1999 member of working groups within several projects financed by the Ministry of Instruction, University and Research (MIUR), all concerning parasitic zoonoses and parasitic diseases of aquatic organisms, and by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MiPAF), all focused on fish pathology and parasitology.

Since 2000 she has been Scientific Responsible of:

Research Unit within the Project “Parasitic and bacterial diseseas of ornamental fish coming from extra-EU countries, with main reference to zoonoses”, coordinated by the Padova State Veterinary Institute, funded by Italian Ministry of Health.

Research Unit on “Pathogenic effects of parasites on cultured marine fish” within the Project “Multidisciplinary study of parasitic diseases in farmed marine fish”, coordinated by Prof. Paggi, “La Sapienza” University, Rome, f unded by Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Research Unit on “Study of Myxosporidiosis and characterisation of natural and alternate hosts of Myxozoa parasites” within the Project “Multidisciplinary approach to parasitic diseases in aquaculture: from aetiological agent to environmental interaction”), coordinated by Prof. Paggi, “La Sapienza” University, Rome,f unded by Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research (ex-40% co-financed projects) .

Research Unit within the Project “Control of parasitic diseases limiting the production of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) in order to diversify production in mariculture” (Leaded by Dr. Santamaria, Maricoltura Mattinatese), funded by Puglia Regional Operating Plan (POR) (2006-2007).

Research Unit within the Project “Production, protection and enhancement of native molluscs” (Leaded by Prof. Crescenzo, Bari University); funded by Puglia Regional Operating Plan (POR) (2006-2007).

Research Unit “Molecular characterization and survey of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in Tapes philippinarum, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Chamelea gallina from the coast of Emilia-Romagna Region” within the national Project “Zoonotic protozoa in marine and lagoon shellfish: molecular study for the evaluation of theenvironmental pollution and the risk for human consumption” (Coordinatore: Prof.ssa Maria Annunziata Giangaspero, Foggia University) financed by MIUR - PRIN 2005;

Research Unit within the Project “Polyphasic approach for identification of bacterial isolates owing to Vibrio genus from fish” (headed by Dr. Prearo, Torino State Veterinary Institute), funded by Italian Ministry of Health.

Research Unit within the Project “ Development of diagnostic methods useful to detect and identify zoonotic parasites in lake fish” (headed by Dr. Ghittino, Terni State Veterinary Institute), f unded by Italian Ministry of Health.

UNIBO partner within “Integrating BOMOSA cage fish farming system in reservoirs, ponds and temporary water bodies in Eastern Africa”. EU INCO-DEV, Project coordinator: Prof. Herwig Waidbacher, Universität für Bodenkultur Vienna (1 October 2006-30 September 2009). Funded by the European Union (Sixth Framework Programme)

Research Unit “Zoonotic helminths from Italian freshwater fish" within the national Project "Molecular characterization and epidemiology of fish-borne zoonoses by parasitic helminths in Italian fish resources: defining parameters for evaluating infection risk to humans" (Coordinator: Dr.ssa Mattiucci, University "La Sapienza", Roma), financed by MIUR - PRIN08.

Research Unit “ Epidemiological survey on freshwater fish-borne parasitic zoonoses: study of biotic and abiotic factors influencing the occurrence of zoonotic helminths in freshwater fish populations from northern Italy and identification of main risk factors contributing to their transmission to man” (Coordinator: Dr. Marino Prearo, Torino State Veterinary Institute ), financed by Italian Ministry of Health.

Research agreement on “Survey of reared bluefin tuna health” within the Strategic Project “Organization of a comprehensive system of bluefin tuna farming - ALLOTUNA” funded by Puglia Regional Operating Plan (POR, 2000-2006) and coordinated by Prof. De Metrio, Bari University.

During last years holder of research contracts signed with the State Veterinary Institutes of Torino on transmissible fish diseases and fish-borne zoonoses, within projects on “Development of diagnostic methods useful to identify zoonotic parasites or covered by the OIE list: research on Diphyllobothrium latum and Gyrodactylus salaris”, “Fish Mycobacterioses” and “Zoonotic transmission of Anisakid nematodes from fish products to man: GIS application and molecular epidemiology for risk evaluation”.

Responsible for UNIBO within the European Project HORIZON 2020 SFS-2014-2 “Advanced tools and research strategies for parasite control in european farmed fish” PARAFISHCONTROL (coordinator dr. Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla, CSIC, Spagna) (1 aprile 2015 - 1 april 2020).

Scientific responsible of UNIBO within the project “Consumer driven production: integrating innovative approaches for competitive and sustainable performance across the Mediterranean aquaculture value chain” PerfomrFISH, Project coordinator prof. Katerina Moutou, University of Thessaly, Grecia, by the European Union (HORIZON 2020) (2017-2022).

SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION

Co-author in over 400 scientific papers and communications to national and international conferences, all concerning parasitology of aquatic animals, fish pathology and parasitic zoonoses. Co-author in 10 chapters of scientific books. Contributor of the book "Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine", Eds. Piergili Fioretti D. and Moretti A., Bononia University Press, 2020, and collaborator (co-editor) of the Italian version of the fourth edition of "Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases of Animals" (Eds. Taylor M.A., Coop R.L. , Wall R.L.), Edra S.p.A., 2022.

MEMBERSHIP IN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP)

Italian Society of Parasitology (SOIPA)

Italian Society of Fish Pathology (SIPI)