ORCID ID: 0000-0001-7019-6828
2023- current: Full Professor in Animal Nutrition and Feeding - Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL) - University of Bologna
His areas of interest include pig feeding and breeding. Over the past 15 years, he has participated in five European projects and collaborated with several leading national and international research centers and companies. His research focuses on pig nutrition, feeding, and management strategies aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing natural resistance to enteric pathogens, and reducing technopathies and negative interactions between animals to promote their well-being on the farm. Paolo has also studied gut eubiosis and the interplay between the host and microbiota. The ultimate goal of these research topics is to reduce the use of antibiotics and minerals in pig farming. He is actively involved in technology transfer, applying research results that have led to the development of new products and voluntary certifications
Summary: The main research topics are: 1) mechanisms of maturation of the gastrointestinal tract during the suckling and weaning phases of pigs; 2) nutritional strategies to promote intestinal health in pigs; 3) design of sustainable and circular feeding strategies for pigs; 4) refinement of nutritional requirements for pregnant and lactating sows and growing pigs; 5) interaction between diet, microbiota, and physiological development in pigs.
PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE:
2014- 2023: Associate Professor in Animal Science - Department of Agricultural and Food Science (DISTAL) - University of Bologna;
2011– 2014: Assistant Professor in Animal Science - Department of Agricultural and Food Science (DISTAL) - University of Bologna;
2001-2004- PhD student – University of Bologna;
2005-2007- Research fellowship – University of Bologna
2007-2009 - Post-Doctorate – University of Bologna
2010-2011 - Research fellowship - University of Bologna
LEADING COMPETENCES:
Lead the group of animal feeding and nutrition at the DISTAL.
- Chaired the COST Action EU network PiGutNet that included 22 countries.
PROJECT
- 2023-current UE Project (PPPA): Automatic and objective surveillance of short tails and tail lesions in pig abattoirs (TAILSCAN). project duration: 24 months [Partner]
- 2018-current EU funded project (Horizon 2020): “Controlling Microbiomes Circulations for Better Food Systems” (CIRCLES) - project duration: 60 months. [Partner]
- 2019-current EU funded project (Horizon 2020): "Rethinking of Antimicrobial Decision-systems in the Management of Animal Production" (ROADMAP) - 2019 - duration 48 months. [Partner]
- 2021-current EU funded project H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020 - ETN - "Training and research for sustainable solutions to support and sustain gut health and reduce losses in monogastric livestock" (MonoGutHealth) [Partner].
- Member of the teaching for the EU project UNA EUROPA “Disseminate antimicrobial resistance knowledge and the use of whole genome sequencing on relevant bacterial pathogens during COVID-19 world emergency (DAMR) – 2021/2022.
- 2019-2022 Rural Development Plan project Emilia-Romagna Region, Project "Definition of a risk analysis and business consultancy tool to implement animal welfare and reduce the need for the use of antibiotics in heavy pigs" * R.E.R. * 16.1.01 - FA 3A – [Scientific coordinator].
- Rural Development Plan project 2014-2020 Emilia-Romagna Region, FOCUS AREA 3A Operazione 16.2.01. Project ID: 5053383. Title: Risk assessment and prevention of aggressive behavior in the heavy pig production system for PDO products, 2018/2019 [Scientific coordinator].
- Rural Development Plan project 2014-2020 Emilia-Romagna Region, FOCUS AREA 3A Operazione 16.2.01. ID progetto: 5052772. Title: Feeding strategies to improve survival of suckling and weaned piglets in the heavy pig production chain for PDO products, 2018/2019 [Scientific coordinator].
- Rural Development Plan project 2014-2020 Lombardy Region, Operation 16.2.01. «Pig waste and the environment: abatement of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in wastewater to protect water resources and the soil». [Partner].
- Rural Development Plan project 2014-2020 Emilia-Romagna Region, Title: “Definizione di un manuale aziendale per implementare le buone pratiche di allevamento finalizzate a ridurre l’impiego di antibiotici e quindi l’insorgenza di nuova antibiotico-resistenza nell’allevamento del suino pesante” *R.E.R.*16.1.01 - 2016-2018
- Rural Development Plan project 2014-2020 Emilia-Romagna Region, Title: “Approccio integrato per ridurre il consumo di antibiotici nella produzione del latte destinato alla produzione di formaggi DOP regionali, contribuendo a diminuire il rischio di insorgenza dei fenomeni di antibioticoresistenza” *R.E.R.*16.1.01 - 2016-2018
- 2015-2018 COST Action FA1401 “European network on the factors affecting the gastro-intestinal microbial balance and the impact on the health status of pigs (PiGutNet)” [Chair].
- 2009-2013 EU funded project: Interplay of microbiota and gut function in the developing pig - Innovative avenues towards sustainable animal production" (INTERPLAY) – [participant].
- 2005- 2008 EU funded project: Development of natural alternatives to anti-microbials for the control of pig health and promotion of performance" (FEED FOR PIG HEALTH) – [participant].
- 2000- 2004 EU funded project: Defining and validating gut health criteria in young pig, based on digestive physiology, microbiology and mucosal immunology investigations for testing alternative strategies to in-feed antibiotics" (HEALTHYPIGUT) – [participant].
OTHER ACTIVITY
- 2019 invited by the National Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnologies and Life Sciences in the panel of experts invited for the drafting of the Concept Paper: “ITALIAN MICROBIOME INITIATIVE FOR IMPROVED HUMAN HEALTH AND AGRI-FOOD PRODUCTION.
- 2018 - Invited by the British government as an expert at the meeting "Global workshop - Innovations to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animals". Wiston House, UK
- Associate Editor in the non ruminant nutrition and feeding area (pig section) for the Italian Journal of animal Science. (Since 2021).
- Member of the ’Editorial Board of Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology
- Vice President of the Pig study Commission of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) https://www.eaap.org/study-commissions/pig/ (Since 2020).
- 2022 – current: Task leader, Task 5.3.6 “Precision feeding of livestock to mitigate environmental impact and reduce antimicrobials utilization”, Spoke 5 - National Project PNRR.
