Full professor at Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL).
Degree in Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Bologna; phD in
Agricultural Engineering, University of Bologna and research stage at the Silsoe Research Institute of Silsoe (UK), in the
Chemical Application Group coordinated by the Professor Paul H.
Miller; Chartered agronomist.
Since 2008 head of the Laboratorio di Meccanica
Agraria of the DISTAL, including the official Testing Station of the Organisation for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for tractor performance and ROPS strength.
Since 2022 head of the OECD Co-ordinating Centre for the Tractor Codes scheme.
The main activity as researcher has been directed to
different fields of the agricultural mechanisation. Specifically
research has been carried out on: sprayers for arable crops,
orchards and vineyards; spreaders for the distribution of organic
fertilizers; sugarbeet harvesters evaluated in field and
laboratory; mechanical distribution of beneficial organisms in the
biological control of the crops, research activity based on
the design of a prototype equipment patented by the University of
Bologna; techniques of soil
tillage to evaluate the quality and the quantity of work with respect to the energy consumption; safety characteristics of agricultural
and forestry tractors and agricultural machinery, with specific
attention to narrow track tractors and seat belt anchorage, and currently t safety performance of autonomous vehicles.
The research activity has been complemented with a deep testing activity carried out. The Laboratorio di Meccanica agraria is an official OECD Testing Station
for all OECD Tractor Codes. The activity of the Laboratory is focused not
only on the tests of tractors and agricultural machinery for
performance and safety aspects, strength of the protective
structures, noise level, road circulation homologation, but also
in research carried out with the aim to increase the safety
level for the agricultural operator.
The testing and research activity in the field of tractor
safety has been integrated with the attendance of the official OECD
activity related to the updating of the OECD tractor codes.
Specifically this has involved being the chairperson for the OECD
Official Working Group and support the OECD Secretariat for the Tractor Codes
and Schemes as expert consultant. Currently, in reason of the position as Head of the OECD Co-ordinating Centre, the support to the OECD Secretariat in the Tractor Codes scheme is complemented with the supervision of all the Test reports drafted by the Testing Stations active in the international certification system of the OECD at the aim to issue the OECD approval numbers.
