I am a researcher at the Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences of the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna. My scientific activity focuses on botany, plant ecology, biogeography and conservation biology, with particular emphasis on wild orchids as a model group to investigate diversity patterns, endemicity, rarity, spatial distribution and conservation priorities.
I obtained a European PhD in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Technologies from the University of Cagliari, with a thesis on patterns of reproductive isolation in Sardinian orchids of the subtribe Orchidinae. I also hold a Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Biological Evolution from the University of Milan and a Master of Research in Biosystematics from the Natural History Museum and Imperial College London, with training in biosystematics, molecular systematics, phylogeny and quantitative ecology.
At the University of Bologna, I conduct research within LifeWatch Italy, PON LifeWatchPlus and CIR01_0028 projects, focusing on the harmonisation and management of digital archives of the Italian flora, morpho-functional and ecological traits, biogeographical analyses and biodiversity conservation. My research integrates floristic data, georeferenced occurrences, functional traits, GIS tools, macroecological analyses and spatial prioritisation approaches to identify species and areas of conservation interest.
I am author and co-author of scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals, including Biological Conservation, Journal of Biogeography, Ecography, Plant Biology, Plants, Plant Biosystems, Global Change Biology, Diversity and other journals in the field. I also serve as reviewer for international scientific journals, including Scientific Reports, PLOS ONE, Journal of Biogeography and Conservation Biology.
My activities include the coordination of and participation in national and international research groups, including LifeWatch ERIC, the TRY Plant Trait Database and scientific collaborations focused on Mediterranean orchid biodiversity. I am also Principal Investigator and scientific coordinator of the ORCHIS project, aimed at mapping Italian wild orchids at the national scale and identifying priority strategies for their conservation.
I have presented my research at several national and international conferences, including the 24th Pacific Science Congress, the LifeWatch ERIC Biodiversity & Ecosystem eScience Conference, the International Orchid Congress and Conference, the European Congress of Conservation Biology, the International Orchid Workshop, Island Biology, and congresses of the Italian Botanical Society and the Italian Society of Biogeography. I have also carried out teaching and seminar activities at Italian and international universities, contributing to courses and seminars on plant systematics, plant ecology, biological conservation, biogeography and orchid biodiversity.
I am a Board Member of the Society for Conservation Biology Europe and Secretary of the Society for Conservation Biology Italy Chapter. I have received awards for research and scientific dissemination, including the Italian Knowledge Leaders Award and the Ambassador of the City of Bologna Award.
